[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 8 (Friday, January 11, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2331-2333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31361]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0416; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-13-AD;
Amendment 39-17303; AD 2012-26-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW118, PW118A, PW118B,
PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, PW123C,
PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F,
PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines. That AD currently requires
initial and repetitive inspections of certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of
propeller shafts for cracks and removal from service if found cracked.
This new AD requires the same actions, but requires removal from
service of affected propeller shafts as mandatory terminating action to
the repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of two
propeller shafts found cracked at time of inspection during
maintenance. We are issuing this AD to detect propeller shaft cracks,
which could cause failure of the shaft, propeller release, and loss of
control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective February 15, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 15,
2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of July
20, 2012 (77 FR 39624, July 5, 2012).
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt
& Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada,
J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; Web site: www.pwc.ca.
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7125.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email:
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7176; fax: 781-238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2012-11-14, Amendment 39-17078 (77 FR 39624,
July 5, 2012). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2012 (77 FR 56794).
That NPRM proposed initial and repetitive inspections of certain S/Ns
of propeller shafts for cracks and removal from service if found
cracked. That NPRM also proposed to require the removal from service of
affected propeller shafts
[[Page 2332]]
as mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 56794, September
14, 2012).
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed (77 FR 56794,
September 14, 2012).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 570 P&WC engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate that it will take 6 hours per
engine to remove the propeller shaft for inspection, 1 hour to perform
the inspection, 65 hours to remove and reinstall the engine if needed,
and 35 hours to replace the propeller shaft. We estimate that
consumable materials will cost $2,200 per engine, and required engine
testing will cost $5,000. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We
expect that about 30 engines will be found with propeller shafts
requiring a replacement propeller shaft. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $1,028,850.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2012-11-14, Amendment 39-17078 (77 FR 39624, July 5, 2012), and adding
the following new AD:
2012-26-08 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp: Amendment 39-17303 ; Docket
No. FAA-2012-0416; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-13-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 15,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2012-11-14 (77 FR 39624, July 5, 2012).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC)
PW118, PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A,
PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B,
PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines,
with the serial number (S/N) propeller shafts listed in P&WC Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March
21, 2012, ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012,
and ASB No. PW100-72-A21798, Revision 5, dated March 20, 2012.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of two propeller shafts found
cracked at time of inspection during maintenance. We are issuing
this AD to detect propeller shaft cracks, which could cause failure
of the shaft, propeller release, and loss of control of the
airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(f) Inspecting Propeller Shafts
(1) For propeller shafts with an S/N listed in Table 1 and Table
2 of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012:
(i) For engines not yet initially inspected per AD 2012-11-14
(77 FR 39624, July 5, 2012), before further flight, perform either
an initial visual inspection or an initial ultrasonic inspection
(UI) for cracks, in accordance with paragraphs 3.C.(1) through
3.C.(1)(a), and 3.C.(2) of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3,
dated March 21, 2012, and Section 9 of P&WC Special Instruction (SI)
P&WC No. 22-2012, R2, dated April 4, 2012.
(ii) If the visual inspection was performed, repeat the visual
inspection within 50 engine flight hours (EFH) after the initial
inspection, and thereafter within every 10 EFH, until the propeller
shaft is removed from service.
(iii) If the UI was performed, repeat the UI at intervals not to
exceed 1,000 EFH, until the propeller shaft is removed from service.
(2) If a crack is found during any of the inspections required
by this AD, remove the propeller shaft from service before the next
flight.
(g) Mandatory Terminating Action
As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections
required by this AD:
(1) For propeller shafts with an S/N listed in Table 1 of P&WC
ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012, remove
the propeller shafts from service before further flight.
(2) For affected S/N propeller shafts listed in Table 1 of P&WC
ASB No. PW100-72-A21798, Revision 5, dated March 20, 2012, remove
the propeller shafts from service within 6 months after the
effective date of this AD.
(3) For affected S/N propeller shafts listed in Table 2 of P&WC
ASB No. PW100-72-A21798, Revision 5, dated March 20, 2012, remove
the propeller shafts from service within 12 months after the
effective date of this AD.
(h) Installation Prohibition
(1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any
propeller shaft S/Ns listed in Table 1 of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-
A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012, into any engine.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any
propeller shaft S/Ns listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of P&WC ASB No.
PW100-72-A21798, Revision 5, dated March 20, 2012, into any engine.
[[Page 2333]]
(i) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
(1) Initial inspections performed before the effective date of
this AD using P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March
21, 2012 or earlier revisions satisfy the initial inspection
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. However, you must perform
the repetitive inspection intervals specified in paragraph (f).
(2) Ultrasonic inspections performed before the effective date
of this AD per Special Instruction P&WC 22-2012R2, dated April 4,
2012, or earlier revisions satisfy the requirements of paragraph (f)
of this AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact James Lawrence,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; email: [email protected]; phone: 781-238-7176; fax: 781-
238-7199.
(2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2012-12, dated March 26,
2012, for related information.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin ASB No. PW100-
72-A21798, Revision 5, dated March 20, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
July 20, 2012, (77 FR 39624, July 5, 2012).
(i) Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-
A21813, Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012.
(ii) Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-
A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012.
(iii) Pratt & Whitney Canada Special Instruction P&WC 22-2012R2,
dated April 4, 2012.
(4) For Pratt & Whitney Canada service information identified in
this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin,
Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-
647-2888; Web site: www.pwc.ca.
(5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781-238-7125.
(6) You may view this service information at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 21, 2012.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-31361 Filed 1-10-13; 8:45 am]
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