Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39624-39626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16257]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0416; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-13-AD; 
Amendment 39-17078; AD 2012-11-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW118, PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, 
PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, 
PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and 
PW127M turboprop engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive 
inspections of certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of propeller shafts for 
cracks and removal from service if found cracked. This AD was prompted 
by reports of two propeller shafts found cracked at time of inspection 
during maintenance. We are issuing this AD to detect propeller shaft 
cracks, which could cause failure of the shaft, propeller release, and 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 20, 2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 20, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of P&WC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW100-72-A21813, 
Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012, ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, 
dated March 16, 2012, and Special Instruction P&WC 22-2012R2, dated 
April 4, 2012, listed in the AD as of July 20, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & 
Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, 
J4G 1A1; phone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888; Web site: www.pwc.ca. 
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is the same as the 
Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: 
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7176; fax: 781-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Canada AD CF-2012-12, dated March 26, 2012 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe

[[Page 39625]]

condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Two PW100 propeller shafts were discovered with cracks during 
troubleshooting for oil leakage in the propeller shaft area. The 
subsequent investigation has determined that the crack initiation 
resulted from a plating repair not performed in accordance with the 
current published Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) Cleaning Inspection 
and Repair (CIR) Manual. Both propeller shafts that were found with 
a circumferential crack had been processed consecutively for nickel 
plating repair at the same repair facility.
    P&WC had initially identified 24 high-risk propeller shafts that 
were repaired by the same facility and accordingly, issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. A21802 in May 2011 to remove those 24 units from 
service. Nineteen of those units were removed and the remaining 5 
are confirmed to not be installed on any serviceable aircraft. 
Further investigation by P&WC indicated that the lack of full 
conformity with the CIR procedure may not have been limited to one 
vendor only. As a result P&WC identified a total of 203 (24 + 179) 
suspect units that may not have been repaired in accordance with CIR 
procedures.

This AD addresses the entire 203 article population. P&WC has issued 
service information to address all of the affected propeller shafts, 
since the first two cracked propeller shafts were discovered.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    P&WC has issued ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March 
21, 2012 and ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012. 
These ASBs provide instructions on replacing the affected propeller 
shafts that are identified by S/N in the ASBs. P&WC has also issued 
Special Instruction P&WC 22-2012R2, dated April 4, 2012, which provides 
instructions on performing ultrasonic inspections to the affected 
propeller shafts. The actions described in that service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Canada, 
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 
bilateral agreement with Canada, they have notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced 
above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by Canada and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
    This AD requires within 30 days after the effective date of the AD, 
removing from service propeller shafts with a S/N listed in Table 1 of 
P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012. These 
propeller shafts are the highest-risk propeller shafts.
    This AD also requires within 200 engine flight hours (EFH) or 40 
days, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, 
performing an initial, and repetitive visual inspections or ultrasonic 
inspections of propeller shafts with a S/N listed in Table 1 or Table 2 
of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012. 
These propeller shafts are not as high a risk.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
compliance requirements are within 30 days or less, depending on 
airplane usage. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity 
for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that 
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 
days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0416; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-NE-13-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the 
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment 
(or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor 
union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement 
in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

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.

Differences Between the MCAI and This AD

    The PW126, PW127B, PW127H, and PW127J model engines listed in the 
MCAI are not included in this AD because they are not subject to FAA 
oversight.
    The MCAI requires retirement of all subject propeller shafts within 
12 months. This AD does not. However, that requirement may be added at 
a later date as required terminating action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

[[Page 39626]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 AD:

2012-11-14 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-17078; Docket No. 
FAA-2012-0416; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-13-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 20, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW118, 
PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, 
PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, 
PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines, with 
the serial number (S/N) propeller shafts listed in P&WC Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March 
21, 2012, and ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 
2012.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of two propeller shafts found 
cracked at time of inspection during maintenance. We are issuing 
this AD to detect propeller shaft cracks, which could cause failure 
of the shaft, propeller release, and loss of control of the 
airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.

(f) Inspecting and Removing Propeller Shafts

    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, remove 
from service propeller shafts with an S/N listed in Table 1 of P&WC 
ASB No. PW100-72-A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012.
    (2) For propeller shafts with a S/N listed in Table 1 or Table 2 
of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012:
    (i) Within 200 engine flight hours (EFH) or 40 days, whichever 
occurs first after the effective date of this AD, perform either an 
initial visual inspection or an initial ultrasonic inspection (UI) 
for cracks, in accordance with paragraphs 3.C.(1) through 
3.C.(1)(a), and 3.C.(2) of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-A21813, Revision 3, 
dated March 21, 2012, and Section 9 of P&WC Special Instruction (SI) 
P&WC 22-2012R2, dated April 4, 2012.
    (ii) If the visual inspection was performed, repeat the visual 
inspection within 50 EFH after the initial inspection, and 
thereafter every 10 EFH, until the propeller shaft is removed from 
service.
    (iii) If the UI was performed, repeat the UI at intervals not to 
exceed 1,000 EFH, until the propeller shaft is removed from service.
    (3) If a crack is found during any of the inspections required 
by this AD, remove the propeller shaft from service before the next 
flight.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
propeller shaft S/Ns listed in Table 1 of P&WC ASB No. PW100-72-
A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012, into any engine.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    No special flight permits will be issued for this AD.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James Lawrence, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; email: [email protected]; phone 781-238-7176; fax 781-
238-7199.
    (2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2012-12, dated March 26, 
2012, for related information.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service 
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-
A21813, Revision 3, dated March 21, 2012.
    (ii) Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-
A21802, Revision 4, dated March 16, 2012.
    (iii) Pratt & Whitney Canada Special Instruction P&WC 22-2012R2, 
dated April 4, 2012.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, 
Canada, J4G 1A1; phone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888; Web site: 
www.pwc.ca.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 31, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-16257 Filed 7-3-12; 8:45 am]
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