Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada PW500 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5818-5819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2632]



[[Page 5818]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NE-45-AD; Amendment 39-13046; AD 2003-03-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada PW500 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW500 series turbofan 
engines. This action requires a one-time visual inspection and re-
marking, or in lieu of inspection, replacement of certain part numbers 
(P/N's) of the flexible fuel tube located between the fuel/oil heat 
exchanger and the integral fuel control unit-fuel pump. This amendment 
is prompted by reports of fuel found dripping from engine nacelles 
caused by leaking flexible fuel tubes. The actions specified in this AD 
are intended to prevent a fire in the engine nacelle.

DATES: Effective February 20, 2003. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of February 20, 2003.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 7, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NE-45-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via 
the Internet using the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the 
subject line.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada 
J4G1A1. This information may be examined, by appointment, 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: Antonio Cancelliere, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7751; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness 
authority for Canada, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on PWC PW530A, PW535A, and PW545A turbofan engines. 
Transport Canada has advised the FAA that there have been five reports 
of fuel dripping from the engine nacelle. It was found that the 
dripping fuel was the result of leaking flexible fuel tubes. Transport 
Canada advises that certain P/N's of the flexible fuel tube, located 
between the fuel/oil heat exchanger and the integral fuel control unit-
fuel pump, may leak due to possible manufacturing defects in the tube.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    PWC has issued Service Bulletin (SB) PW500-72-30217, Revision 1, 
dated July 29, 2002, that specifies procedures for performing a one-
time visual inspection of flexible fuel tubes P/N's 30J2285-01 (PW530A 
engines), 3054416-01 (PW535A engines), and 30J2323-01 (PW545A engines). 
The tubes must be inspected externally for leaks, local swelling, 
sponginess of the red silicone rubber, gashes, gouges, and tears, and 
internally for kinks, gouging, or loose material in the tube bore. 
Tubes that pass inspection are then re-marked with a new P/N. In lieu 
of the tube inspection, the SB also allows for replacement of the 
flexible fuel tube with a different P/N tube. Transport Canada issued 
AD CF-2002-42, dated September 30, 2002, in order to assure the 
airworthiness of these PWC PW500 series turbofan engines in Canada.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in Canada and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of Transport Canada, reviewed all available information, and 
determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design 
that are certificated for operation in the United States.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Required Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Pratt & Whitney Canada PW530A, PW535A, and 
PW545A turbofan engines of the same type design, this AD is being 
issued to prevent a fire in the engine nacelle. This AD requires the 
following within 50 flight hours, but no later than 60 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first:
    [sbull] Replacement of flexible fuel tubes P/N's 30J2285-01 (PW530A 
engines), 3054416-01 (PW535A engines), and 30J2323-01 (PW545A engines) 
with flexible fuel tubes P/N's 30J2578-01, 3058704-01, and 30J2579-01 
respectively; or
    [sbull] A one-time visual external and internal inspection of 
flexible fuel tubes P/N's 30J2285-01, 3054416-01, and 30J2323-01; and
    [sbull] Part number re-marking of flexible fuel tubes that pass 
inspection. The actions must be done in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.

Immediate Adoption of This AD

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic,

[[Page 5819]]

environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need 
to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both 
before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for 
examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-
public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in 
the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NE-45-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2003-03-21 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-13046. Docket No. 
2002-NE-45-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW530A, PW535A, and PW545A turbofan 
engines with flexible fuel tubes part numbers (P/N's) 30J2285-01, 
3054416-01, and 30J2323-01 installed. These engines are installed 
on, but not limited to Cessna Citation model 550 ``Bravo'', model 
560XL ``Excel'', and model 560 ``Encore'' airplanes.

    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: Compliance with this AD is required within 50 flight 
hours, but no later than 60 days after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs first, unless already done.
    To prevent a fire in the engine nacelle, do the following:
    (a) Replace flexible fuel tubes P/N's 30J2285-01 (PW530A 
engines), 3054416-01 (PW535A engines), and 30J2323-01 (PW545A 
engines) with flexible fuel tubes P/N's 30J2578-01, 3058704-01, and 
30J2579-01 respectively; or
    (b) Perform a one-time visual external and internal inspection 
of flexible fuel tubes P/N's 30J2285-01 (PW530A engines), 3054416-01 
(PW535A engines), and 30J2323-01 (PW545A engines), and fuel tube 
part number re-marking, in accordance with paragraphs 3.A.(1) 
through 3.A.(8) of the Accomplishment Instructions of PWC SB PW500-
72-30217, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2002.

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. 
Operators must submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

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

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.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference

    (e) The tube inspection or replacement must be done in 
accordance with Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW500-72-
30217, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2002. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin, 
Longueuil, Quebec, Canada J4G1A1. Copies may be inspected 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
airworthiness directive CF-2002-42, dated September 30, 2002.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 20, 2003.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 29, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-2632 Filed 2-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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