Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 6, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46441-46443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19840]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-34-AD; Amendment 39-13257; AD 2003-16-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) engine models PW118, PW118A, 
PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, 
PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126, PW126A, PW127, 
PW127B, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, PW127H, and PW127J turboprop engines. 
This amendment requires replacing certain Stewart Warner part number 
(P/N) fuel heaters, installed on PWC engines, with redesigned fuel 
heaters. This amendment is prompted by several field incidents in which 
one or more of the three studs that attach the fuel filter bowl to the 
fuel heater have been partially or completely pulled free of the fuel 
heater housing. We are issuing this AD to prevent the separation of the 
fuel filter bowl from the fuel heater, which could result in a 
pressurized fuel leak and possible engine fire.

DATES: Effective September 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000, Marie-Victorin, 
Longueuil, Quebec, Canada J4G 1A1; Telephone 450-677-9411. This 
information may be examined, by appointment, at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7178; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that applies to 
PWC engine models PW118, PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, 
PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, 
PW125B, PW126, PW126A, PW127, PW127B, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, PW127H, 
and PW127J turboprop engines was published in the Federal Register on 
July 3, 2002 (67 FR 44578). That action proposed to require replacing 
certain Stewart Warner P/N fuel heaters, installed on PWC engines, with 
redesigned fuel heaters.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request for Stewart Warner Cross-Referenced Vendor Part Number

    Three commenters request that we call out the specific Stewart 
Warner fuel heater cross-referenced vendor P/N

[[Page 46442]]

series associated with each PWC ``Interchangeable Control'' (IC) P/N. 
The commenters feel that the intent of PWC service bulletin (SB) PW100-
72-21100, Revision 3, dated May 1, 2001, was to remove only those 
Stewart Warner fuel heaters P/N series 10718 from service and not all 
vendor P/Ns associated with the PWC IC P/N.
    The FAA agrees. We agree that the use of the PWC IC P/N is 
confusing and does not achieve the intent of the SB to remove only the 
faulty Stewart Warner part. The details in the Proposed Requirements of 
this AD section are not repeated in the final rule; therefore no 
changes will be made to that section in the AD. However, Compliance 
paragraphs (a) and (b) in the AD are changed as a result of this 
comment.

Request for Reference to PWC Service Bulletin

    One commenter requests that PWC SB PW100-72-21100, Revision 3, 
dated May 1, 2001, be included in the AD because it introduces P/N 
3039798 fuel heaters. The commenter believes that the SB reference 
should be included as a means of compliance with the AD.
    The FAA does not agree. We agree that the reference to the SB would 
be helpful; however, we clarify the Steward Warner P/N series fuel 
heaters in the AD. We feel that the SB would unnecessarily limit the 
acceptable replacement parts to only those listed in the SB.

Request To Rewrite the ``Applicable to'' Statement

    One commenter requests that we rewrite the ``applicable to'' 
statement in the SUMMARY preamble from ``* * * applicable to Pratt & 
Whitney Canada (PWC) models'' to ``* * * applicable to Pratt & Whitney 
(PWC) engine models'' for clarity.
    The FAA agrees. The ``applicable to'' statement is changed in the 
AD in the SUMMARY, the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, and the Applicability 
sections.

Request To Rewrite the ``Would Require'' Statement

    One commenter requests that we rewrite the ``would require'' 
statement in the SUMMARY preamble from ``* * * certain part number (P/
N) fuel heaters with redesigned fuel heaters'' to ``* * * certain 
Stewart Warner part number
(P/N) fuel heaters installed on PWC engines, with redesigned fuel 
heaters'' for clarity.
    The FAA agrees. The ``would require'' statement is changed in the 
SUMMARY, the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, and the Applicability sections 
in the AD.

Request To Rewrite the Discussion Section

    One commenter requests that we rewrite the first sentence in the 
Discussion preamble from ``* * * notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on PWC models * * *'' to ``* * * notified the FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on PWC engine models * * *'' for 
clarity.
    The FAA agrees. However, the Discussion section details are not 
repeated in the final rule after an NPRM, and therefore, the AD remains 
unchanged as a result of this comment.
    The same commenter requests that we add a new sentence at the end 
of the Discussion preamble for clarity. The sentence would read 
``Stewart Warner is the manufacturer of the fuel heaters involved in 
the reported field incidents and the only manufacturer of fuel heaters 
affected by this AD.''
    The FAA agrees. However, the Discussion section details are not 
repeated in the final rule after an NPRM, and therefore, the AD remains 
unchanged as a result of this comment.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this final rule.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action: (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2003-16-04 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-13257. Docket No. 
2001NE-34-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Pratt & Whitney 
Canada (PWC) engine models PW118, PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, 
PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, 
PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126, PW126A, PW127, PW127B, PW127E, 
PW127F, PW127G, PW127H, and PW127J turboprop engines. These engines 
are installed on, but not limited to the following airplanes: 
Aerospatiale ATR-42 and -72; Bombardier DHC-8 series 100, 200, and 
300, CL-215T and -415; Construcciones Aeronautics, S.A. (CASA) C-
295; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) EMB-120; 
Fairchild Dornier 328, Fokker 50 and 60; Ilyushin IL-114-100; BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd. ATP; and XIAN MA-60.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each engine identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions 
have already been done.
    To prevent the separation of the fuel filter bowl from the fuel 
heater, which could result in a pressurized fuel leak and possible 
engine fire, do the following:
    (a) Replace, on PWC engines, Stewart Warner fuel heater part 
number (P/N) series

[[Page 46443]]

10718, with fuel heater P/N series 10839 or other acceptable parts 
identified under the PWC Interchangeable Control Part Number, at the 
next removal of the engine low pressure fuel filter, but not later 
than 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (b) Do not install on PWC engines any Stewart Warner fuel heater 
P/N series 10718, after the effective date of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office (ECO). 
Operators must submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the ECO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be done.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
airworthiness directive CF-2000-34, dated November 23, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 2003.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 30, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19840 Filed 8-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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