Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1, -1A, and -1B Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 40 (Monday, March 1, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9520-9521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4100]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-41-AD; Amendment 39-13490; AD 2004-04-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1, -1A, 
and -1B Turbofan 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) JT15D-1, -1A, and -1B turbofan engines 
with certain impellers part number (P/N) 3020365. This AD requires a 
one-time borescope inspection of the rear face of certain impellers for 
evidence of a machined groove or step, and repair or replacement of the 
impeller if a groove or step is found. This AD results from three 
reports of uncontained failure of the impeller. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent uncontained failure of the impeller and possible damage to 
the airplane.

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

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, 
Canada J4G1A1, telephone (800) 268-8000; fax (450) 647-2888.
    You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA. You may examine the service 
information, 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: 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 JT15D-1, -1A, and -1B turbofan engines with certain impellers 
part number (P/N) 3020365. We published the proposed AD in the Federal 
Register on November 13, 2003 (68 FR 64295). That action proposed to 
require a one-time borescope inspection of the rear face of certain 
impellers for evidence of a machined groove or step, and repair or 
replacement of the impeller if a groove or step is found.

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.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,300 PWC JT15D-1, -1A, and -1B turbofan engines of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 740 of the 
PWC engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry are affected by 
this AD. We also estimate that it will take about 2 work hours per 
engine to perform the inspection at a hot section inspection interval, 
and 30 work hours per engine to replace impellers found with a groove 
or a step in the rear face at shop visit. The average labor rate is $65 
per work hour. Required parts will cost about $55,427 per engine. Based 
on these figures, we estimate that for impellers inspected at hot 
section inspections, the total labor cost of the AD to U.S. operators 
is $96,200. On the basis of 100 percent replacement, the total labor 
cost of the AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,443,000 and the 
parts replacement cost is estimated to be $41,015,980 for a total 
replacement cost of $42,555,180.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under

[[Page 9521]]

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-41-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):

2004-04-09 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-13490. Docket No. 
2003-NE-41-AD.

Effective Date

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

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) JT15D-1, -
1A, and -1B turbofan engines with certain impellers, part number (P/
N) 3020365, installed. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Cessna Aircraft Company Models 500 and 501 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from three reports of uncontained failure of 
the impeller. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent uncontained failure of the impeller and possible damage to 
the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.
    (f) If you have already inspected the impeller, P/N 3020365, 
using PWC overhaul manual Revision 14, or if the impeller is listed 
in Appendix A of PWC Service Bulletin (SB) No. JT15D-72-7590, dated 
May 23, 2003, no further action is required.

One-Time Borescope Inspection

    (g) Perform a one-time borescope inspection of the impeller rear 
face for evidence of a machined groove or step, using paragraph 3.B. 
of Accomplishment Instructions of PWC SB No. JT15D-72-7590, dated 
May 23, 2003, as follows:
    (1) For engines with 5,000 or more cycles-since-new (CSN) on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect within 250 cycles-in-service 
(CIS) after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For engines with fewer than 5,000 CSN on the effective date 
of this AD, inspect before reaching 5,250 CSN.

Disposition of Inspected Impellers

    (h) Before further flight, repair or replace impellers that do 
not pass the inspection requirements of paragraph 3.B.(8) of 
Accomplishment Instructions of PWC SB No. JT15D-72-7590, dated May 
23, 2003.

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. 
JT15D-72-7590, dated May 23, 2003, to perform the one-time 
inspection 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, 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, 
Quebec, Canada J4G1A1, telephone (800) 268-8000; fax (450) 647-2888. 
You can review copies 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.

Related Information

    (k) Transport Canada airworthiness directive No. CF-2003-17, 
dated June 23, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 18, 2004.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4100 Filed 2-27-04; 8:45 am]
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