Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Models PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58826-58828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21911]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-35-AD; Amendment 39-13806; AD 2004-20-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Models PW123, 
PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, 
PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G 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 PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, 
PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and 
PW127G turboprop engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive gap 
inspections of the bypass valve cover, on certain part number (P/N) 
mechanical fuel controls (MFCs), and replacement of those MFCs as 
mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections. This AD is 
prompted by sixteen reports of loss of engine throttle response and 
overspeed, eight of which resulted in in-flight shutdown. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent loss of throttle response and overspeed, 
resulting in engine in-flight shutdown.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 5, 2004. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of November 5, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Honeywell Engines & Systems, Technical Publications Department, 
111 South 34th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034; telephone (602) 365-
5535; fax (602) 365-5577.
    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

[[Page 58827]]

the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 AD. The proposed AD applies to PWC models PW123, 
PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, 
PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G turboprop engines. We published the proposed 
AD in the Federal Register on December 10, 2003 (68 FR 68802). That 
action proposed to require initial and repetitive gap inspections of 
the bypass valve cover, on certain part number (P/N) mechanical fuel 
controls (MFCs), and replacement of those MFCs as mandatory terminating 
action to the repetitive inspections.
    Examining the AD Docket: You may examine the AD Docket (including 
any comments and service information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. See 
ADDRESSES for the location.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 2,800 PWC models PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, 
PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and 
PW127G turboprop engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. 
We estimate that 473 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD. We also estimate that it will take about 
0.1 work hour per engine to perform the inspection, about 1 work hour 
per engine to replace the MFC during maintenance, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $72,000 
per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
AD to U.S. operators to be $34,089,819. The manufacturer has stated 
that it may provide the new design MFCs at no cost to operators, and 
that if the MFC is replaced at shop visit, no additional labor costs 
will be incurred.

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 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-35-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):

2004-20-01 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-13806. Docket No. 
2003-NE-35-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 5, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) models 
PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, 
PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G turboprop engines, with 
mechanical fuel controls (MFCs), part numbers (P/Ns) 3244841-21, 
3244853-17, 3244855-15, 3244857-14, 3244858-23, 3244871-5, 3244873-
4, and 3244874-4, installed. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Aerospatiale ATR 42 and ATR 72, BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited ATP, Bombardier Inc. DHC-8-200 series, DHC-8-300 series, CL-
215T, and CL-415, Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) C-295, 
Fokker Aircraft B.V. F27 Mark 050, and Mark 060 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted by sixteen reports of loss of engine 
throttle response and overspeed, eight of which resulted in in-
flight shutdown. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of throttle 
response and overspeed, resulting in engine in-flight shutdown.

Compliance

    (e) Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless 
already done.

Initial Gap Inspection

    (f) Within 500 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of the AD, perform a gap inspection between the MFC bypass 
valve cover and the MFC main body, and disposition the MFC. Follow 
paragraphs 5.0 through 5.3 of Honeywell Service Information Bulletin 
(SIB) No. 82, dated September 14, 2001, to do the inspection and MFC 
disposition.

Repetitive Gap Inspections

    (g) At intervals of 1,500 hours TIS from the last gap 
inspection, perform repetitive gap inspections between the MFC 
bypass valve cover and the MFC main body and disposition the MFC. 
Follow paragraphs 5.0 through 5.3 of Honeywell SIB No. 82, dated 
September 14, 2001, to do the inspection and MFC disposition.

Mandatory Terminating Action

    (h) Within 4,500 hours TIS or 24 months from the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the MFC with an MFC not 
having a P/N listed in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (i) Replacement of the MFC with an MFC whose P/N is not listed 
in paragraph (c) of this AD constitutes mandatory terminating action 
to the repetitive inspection requirements specified in paragraph (g) 
of this AD. Information on new design replacement MFCs can be found 
in PWC Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-21562, Revision 2, dated 
December 7, 2000.

[[Page 58828]]

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Honeywell Service Information Bulletin No. 82, 
dated September 14, 2001, to perform the inspections 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 
Honeywell Engines & Systems, Technical Publications Department, 111 
South 34th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034; telephone (602) 365-5535; 
fax (602) 365-5577. You can review copies at FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA, or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Related Information

    (k) None.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 24, 2004.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-21911 Filed 9-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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