[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23217-23218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09122]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-5423; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4164, PW4164-1D, PW4168, PW4168-1D,
PW4168A, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was
prompted by several instances of fuel leaks on PW engines installed
with the Talon IIB combustion chamber configuration. This proposed AD
would require initial and repetitive inspections of the affected fuel
nozzles and their replacement with parts eligible for installation. We
are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel nozzles, which
could lead to engine fire and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 20, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Pratt &
Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-8770;
fax: 860-565-4503. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5423; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Besian Luga, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7750; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-5423;
Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-09-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
PW reported nine occurrences of fuel leaks on PW engines with the
Talon IIB combustion chamber configuration. The subsequent
investigation of these fuel leaks determined that the leak occurs at
the brazed joint interface on the fuel injector support (fuel nozzle)
between the inlet fitting and the nozzle support pad. Cracks are the
result of thermal mechanical fatigue due to high thermal gradients on
engines equipped with the Talon IIB combustor. The cracking may be
aggravated by a laser tack weld that holds the nozzle fitting in place
during the braze process. This process change, which adds this laser
weld, was introduced to fuel nozzle, part number 51J345, in December
2008.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-100-A73-45, dated
February 16, 2016. The ASB describes procedures for inspecting and
replacing the fuel nozzles. This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties have access to it through
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the
ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections
and replacement of the affected fuel nozzles.
[[Page 23218]]
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 72 engines installed
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate 2.2 hours per engine to
comply with this proposed inspection and 48 hours to replace the fuel
nozzle when it is replaced. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We
estimate that parts cost would be $15,780 per engine. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $1,443,384.
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. FAA-2016-5423; Directorate Identifier
2016-NE-09-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 20, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW):
(1) PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A model engines that have
incorporated PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW4G-100-72-214, dated
December 15, 2011, or PW SB PW4G-100-72-219, Revision No. 1, dated
October 5, 2011, or original issue, and have fuel nozzles, part
number (P/N) 51J345, installed;
(2) PW4168A model engines with Talon IIA outer combustion
chamber assembly, P/N 51J100, and fuel nozzles, P/N 51J345, with
serial numbers CGGUA19703 through CGGUA19718 or CGGUA22996 and
higher, installed;
(3) PW4168A-1D and PW4170 model engines with engine serial
numbers P735001 thru P735190 and fuel nozzles, P/N 51J345,
installed; and
(4) PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 model engines
that have incorporated PW SB PW4G-100-72-220, Revision No. 4, dated
September 30, 2011, or earlier revision, and have fuel nozzles, P/N
51J345, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by nine instances of fuel leaks on PW
engines with the Talon IIB combustion chamber configuration
installed. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel
nozzles, which could lead to engine fire and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) Within 800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
and thereafter within every 800 flight hours accumulated on the fuel
nozzles, do the following:
(i) Inspect all fuel nozzles, P/N 51J345. Use Part A of PW Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-100-A73-45, dated February 16, 2016, to
do the inspection.
(ii) For any fuel nozzle that fails the inspection, before
further flight, remove and replace it with a part that is eligible
for installation.
(2) At the next shop visit after the effective date of this AD,
and thereafter at each engine shop visit, remove all fuel nozzles,
P/N 51J345, unless fuel nozzles were replaced within the last 100
flight hours. Use Part B of PW ASB PW4G-100-A73-45, dated February
16, 2016, to replace the fuel nozzles with parts eligible for
installation.
(f) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' means
the induction of an engine into the shop for any maintenance.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, a part that is ``eligible for
installation'' is a fuel nozzle, with a P/N other than 51J345, that
is FAA-approved for installation or a fuel nozzle, P/N 51J345, that
meets the requirements of Part A, paragraph 4.B., or Part B,
paragraph 1.B. of PW ASB PW4G-100-A73-45, dated February 16, 2016.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(h) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Besian Luga,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781-238-7750; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
(2) PW ASB PW4G-100-A73-45, dated February 16, 2016, can be
obtained from PW using the contact information in paragraph (h)(3)
of this proposed rule.
(3) For service information identified in this proposed rule,
contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108;
phone: 860-565-8770; fax: 860-565-4503.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
781-238-7125.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 13, 2016.
Carlos Pestana,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-09122 Filed 4-19-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P