Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Models PW118, PW120, PW120A, and PW121 Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59531-59532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25865]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-11-AD; Amendment 39-13338; AD 2003-21-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Models PW118, 
PW120, PW120A, and PW121 Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) models PW118, PW120, PW120A, and PW121 
turboprop engines. This AD requires replacing the low pressure rotor 
speed (NL) sensor port sealing tube and reworking or replacing the 
external air tube connecting the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the rear 
inlet case. This AD is prompted by a report of an internal oil fire in 
the engine intercompressor case (ICC). A fire in the ICC could cause 
the existing tubes to disengage due to melted brazing on the tubes. 
Once these tubes disengage, the ICC fire then develops into an external 
fire within the engine nacelle cavity. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent fire in the engine nacelle cavity, in-flight engine shutdown, 
and airplane damage.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 20, 2003. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of November 20, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Pratt & Whitney Canada, Technical Publications Department, 1000 
Marie Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec J4G 1A1.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the FAA, 
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies 
to PWC models PW118, PW120, PW120A, and PW121 turboprop engines. We 
published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on June 6, 2003 (68 
FR 33885). That action proposed to require replacing the low pressure 
rotor speed (NL) sensor port sealing tube and reworking or replacing 
the external air tube connecting the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the 
rear inlet case.

Corrections to Accomplishment Paragraph References in the Compliance

    Since the issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), we 
found that the Accomplishment paragraphs referenced in compliance 
paragraphs (g), (h), (h)(1), and (h)(2) of the proposed rule are 
incorrect because of a change in service bulletin revisions. This AD 
corrects those Accomplishment paragraph references.

Comments

    We provided the public with the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Request Credit for Compliance With Earlier Versions of Service Bulletin

    Two commenters state that there is no reference in the NPRM to the 
original service bulletin (SB) or any earlier revisions. The commenters 
have received confirmation from the manufacturer that the original SB 
and earlier revisions are technically equivalent to PWC SB No. 20914, 
Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001. Therefore, they are requesting 
that compliance with the original SB or any earlier revisions be 
permitted as full compliance with the intent of the AD and that no 
further action be required.
    The FAA agrees. The AD is revised to add new compliance paragraph 
(f). The regulatory section of this AD is renumbered from (e), (f), 
(g), (h), (i), and (j) to (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), and (k).

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. That 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. The 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since the 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

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;

[[Page 59532]]

    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-11-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2003-21-03 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-13338. Docket No. 
2003-NE-11-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 20, 2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) models 
PW118, PW120, PW120A, and PW121 turboprop engines. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica 
(EMBRAER) EMB-120RT, 120ER, and 120FC, Bombardier Inc. (formerly 
Dehavilland of Canada) DHC-8-100 series, and Aerospatiale ATR 42-
200, -300, and -320 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted by a report of an internal oil fire in 
the engine intercompressor case (ICC). A fire in the ICC could cause 
the existing tubes to disengage due to melted brazing on the tubes. 
Once these tubes disengage, the ICC fire then develops into an 
external fire within the engine nacelle cavity. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent fire in the engine nacelle cavity, in-flight engine 
shutdown, and airplane damage.

Compliance

    (e) Compliance with this AD is required at the next engine shop 
visit, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, unless already done.

Credit for Previous Replacements and Rework

    (f) Replacements and rework performed before the effective date 
of this AD, using PWC Service Bulletin (SB) No. 20914, Revision 4, 
dated December 14, 2001, the original issue, or Revision 1, 2, or 3, 
satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (g) through (h) of this AD.

Low Pressure Rotor Speed (NL) Sensor Port Sealing Tube

    (g) Replace the low pressure rotor speed (NL) sensor port 
sealing tube with an improved durability tube, in accordance with 
paragraphs 3.A.(1) and 3.A.(2), Accomplishment Instructions of PWC 
SB No. 20914, Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001.

Switching Valve-to-Rear Inlet Case Sealing Air Tube Assembly

    (h) Remove the switching valve-to-rear inlet case sealing air 
tube assembly, in accordance with paragraph 3.B.(1), Accomplishment 
Instructions of PWC SB No. 20914, Revision 4, dated December 14, 
2001, and do the following:
    (1) Either install an improved durability switching valve-to-
rear inlet case sealing air tube assembly, in accordance with 
paragraph 3.B.(9), Accomplishment Instructions of PWC SB No. 20914, 
Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001; or
    (2) Rework the switching valve-to-rear inlet case sealing air 
tube assembly and install tube assembly, in accordance with 
paragraphs 3.B.(2), 3.B.(4), and 3.B.(9), Accomplishment 
Instructions of PWC SB No. 20914, Revision 4, dated December 14, 
2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin No. 
20914, Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001 to perform the actions 
required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get a 
copy from Pratt & Whitney Canada, Technical Publications Department, 
1000 Marie Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec J4G 1A1. You can review 
copies at FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

Related Information

    (k) Transport Canada airworthiness directive No. CF-2002-10, 
dated January 28, 2002, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 6, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25865 Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]
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