Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 677-679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-84]



[[Page 677]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-ANE-15-AD; Amendment 39-13916; AD 2004-26-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
99-22-14 for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-200 series turbofan engines. 
That AD currently requires removing low pressure turbine (LPT)-to-
exhaust case bolts and nuts and replacement with improved LPT-to-
exhaust case bolts and nuts on JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 
engines. That AD also requires installation of improved high pressure 
turbine (HPT) containment hardware on JT8D-217C, and -219 engines. This 
AD requires installation of improved HPT containment hardware on JT8D-
209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 engines. This AD results from four 
reports of uncontained HPT failures of JT8D-200 series engines, since 
AD 99-22-14 was issued. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained 
HPT events resulting from HPT shaft fractures.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 9, 2005. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of February 9, 2005. The 
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation 
by reference of certain other publications as listed in the regulations 
as of December 28, 1999 (64 FR 58328, October 29, 1999).

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone 
(860) 565-7700; fax (860) 565-1605.
    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 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: Keith Lardie, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7189; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) was published in the Federal 
Register on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42356). That action proposed to 
require installation of improved HPT containment hardware on JT8D-209, 
-217, -217A, -217C, and -219 engines in accordance with Pratt & Whitney 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. JT8D A6346, dated September 10, 1998, 
or Revision 1, dated April 23, 1999, or Revision 2, dated December 1, 
1999, or Revision 3, dated May 21, 2004. We published the proposed AD 
in the Federal Register on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42356).

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 have considered the one comment received. 
The commenter supports the proposal.

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 2,345 PW JT8D-200 series turbofan engines of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 1,143 engines 
are installed on airplanes of U.S. registry, and that 280 engines will 
be affected by this AD. We estimate that 80% of the -217C and -219 
engines already have the improved HPT containment hardware installed. 
We also estimate that no additional labor costs will be incurred when 
these parts are installed during engine shop visit. Required parts will 
cost about $19,991 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $5,597,480.

Authority for this Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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. 92-ANE-15-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:

[[Page 678]]

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 removing Amendment 39-11392 (64 FR 
58328, October 29, 1999) and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-13916, to read as follows:

2004-26-04 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-13916. Docket No. 92-ANE-
15-AD. Supersedes AD 99-22-14, Amendment 39-11392.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 9, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 99-22-14, Amendment 39-11392.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-209, -217, -
217A, -217C, and -219 turbofan engines. These engines are installed 
on, but not limited to, Boeing 727 series and McDonnell Douglas MD-
80 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from four reports of uncontained high 
pressure turbine (HPT) failures of JT8D-200 series engines, since AD 
99-22-14 was issued. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained 
HPT events resulting from HPT shaft fractures.

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) Install the improved HPT containment hardware. Use the 
applicable compliance schedule in Table 1 of this AD, and paragraphs 
1. through 3.G. of the Accomplishment Instructions of PW Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. JT8D A6346, dated September 10, 1998, or 
Revision 1, dated April 23, 1999, or Revision 2, dated December 1, 
1999, or Revision 3, dated May 21, 2004.

                      Table 1.--Compliance Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Install improved HPT
           For engine models:                 containment hardware:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JT8D-217C and -219.....................  At the next engine shop visit
                                          after the effective date of
                                          this AD, but no later than
                                          December 31, 2004.
JT8D-209, -217, and -217A..............  At the next engine shop visit
                                          after the effective date of
                                          this AD, but no later than
                                          December 31, 2007.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Definition

    (g) For the purpose of this AD, an engine shop visit is defined 
as engine maintenance that involves the separation of the J and K 
flanges.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) 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

    (i) You must use the Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletins 
listed in Table 2 of this AD to perform the installations required 
by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of ASB No. A6346, Revision 2 and Revision 
3, listed in Table 2 of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. The Director of the Federal Register previously 
approved the incorporation by reference of ASB No. JT8D A6346, dated 
September 10, 1998, and ASB No. JT8D A6346 Revision 1, dated April 
23, 1999, as of December 28, 1999 (64 FR 58328, October 29, 1999). 
You can get copies from Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East 
Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-7700; fax (860) 565-1605. 
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 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. Table 2 follows:

                                      Table 2.--Incorporation by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Page number(s) shown   Revision level shown
    Alert service Bulletin No.           on the page            on the page           Date shown on the page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JT8D A6346........................  ALL..................  Original.............  September 10, 1998.
    Total Pages: 23
JT8D A6346........................  1,2..................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
                                    3....................  Original.............  September 10, 1998.
                                    4....................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
                                    5,6..................  Original.............  September 10, 1998.
                                    7-25.................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
    Total Pages: 25
JT8D A6346........................  1,2..................  2....................  December 1, 1999.
                                    3....................  Original.............  September 10, 1998.
                                    4,5..................  2....................  December 1, 1999.
                                    6....................  Original.............  September 10, 1998.
                                    7....................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
                                    8....................  2....................  December 1, 1999.
                                    9-13.................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
                                    14...................  2....................  December 1, 1999.
                                    15-21................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
                                    22...................  2....................  December 1, 1999.
                                    23-25................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
    Total Pages: 25
JT8D A6346........................  ALL..................  3....................  May 21, 2004.
    Total Pages: 22
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Related Information

    (j) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 20, 2004.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-84 Filed 1-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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