Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42663-42665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17204]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0159; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-01-AD; 
Amendment 39-17905; AD 2014-15-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation 
Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
serial number Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation (P&WC) model PW150A 
turboprop engines. This AD requires rerouting of the igniter cables and 
installation of new support brackets. This AD was prompted by reports 
of damage to a high-pressure fuel line, which could result in a high-
pressure fuel leak into the engine nacelle. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent high-pressure fuel leaks, which could cause engine fire and 
damage to the engine and the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 27, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 27, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: 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; Internet: 
www.pwc.ca. You may view this 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0159; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) 
is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7134; 
fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2014 (79 FR 
19844). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    There have been reports of damage in excess of acceptable 
criteria to the high-pressure fuel line from the P&WC PW150A engine 
flowmeter to the flow divider. Damage has included fretting wear 
through contact with the engine igniter cables. The contact is the 
result of incorrectly routed igniter cables. While there has been no 
report of associated fuel leakage, the fretting wear, if undetected, 
could progress to a point where high-pressure fuel would leak into 
the engine nacelle.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received.

[[Page 42664]]

Request To Clarify Definition of Shop Visit

    One commenter requested that we clarify the definition of shop 
visit because the igniter cables are on the exterior of the engine and 
no disassembly is required to gain access to the igniter cables.
    We agree. We changed the definition of shop visit in paragraph (f) 
of this AD to be when an engine is inducted into the shop to perform 
maintenance.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these 
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 180 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 hour per 
engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
Required parts cost about $682 per engine. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $138,060.

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 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
    (4) 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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2014-15-03 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation: Amendment 39-17905; 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0159; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-01-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 27, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation (P&WC) 
model PW150A turboprop engines, serial number PCE-FA0916 and 
earlier.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of damage to a high-pressure 
fuel line, which could result in a high-pressure fuel leak into the 
engine nacelle. We are issuing this AD to prevent high-pressure fuel 
leaks, which could cause engine fire and damage to the engine and 
the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) At the next shop visit, but before 36 months from the 
effective date of this AD, reroute the igniter cables and install 
new support brackets in accordance with paragraph 3.B., 
Accomplishment Instructions, of P&WC Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
PW150-72-35274, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2012.
    (2) Reserved.

(f) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is when the engine is 
inducted into the shop to perform maintenance.

(g) Credit for Previous Action

    If you performed the actions in paragraph (e) of this AD before 
the effective date of this AD using P&WC SB No. PW150-72-35274, 
Initial Issue, dated March 23, 2012, you met the requirements of 
this AD.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Wego Wang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: (781) 238-7134; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD CF-2014-09, dated February 
12, 2014, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0159-0003.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation (P&WC) Service Bulletin 
No. PW150-72-35274, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For P&WC 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; 
Internet: www.pwc.ca.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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 view this service information 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.


[[Page 42665]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 14, 2014.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17204 Filed 7-22-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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