Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52177-52179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21204]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1130; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-04-AD; 
Amendment 39-18250; AD 2015-17-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D and PW4170 
engines, and certain PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A turbofan engines. This 
AD was prompted by fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply manifold interface fuel 
leaks. This AD requires inspecting fuel nozzles for signs of leakage, 
replacing hardware as required, and torqueing to specified requirement. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks which could result in 
engine fire and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective October 2, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 2, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-8770; 
fax: 860-565-4503. 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. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2014-1130.

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-
1130; 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 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: Katheryn Malatek, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; 
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 all PW PW4164-1D, PW4168-
1D, PW4168A-1D and PW4170 engines, and certain PW4164, PW4168, and 
PW4168A turbofan engines. The NPRM

[[Page 52178]]

published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2015 (80 FR 22140). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports of four fuel nozzle leaks in service and 
an additional six fuel nozzle leaks found during shop visits. The root 
cause is inadequate torque of the fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply manifold 
B-nuts for the temperatures that the fuel nozzles experience. The NPRM 
proposed to require inspecting fuel nozzles for signs of leakage, 
replacing hardware as required, and torqueing B-nuts to specified 
requirement. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks which could 
result in engine fire and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW4G-100-A73-44, 
Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015. This ASB describes procedures for 
fuel supply manifold inspection and re-torque of the B-nut connection. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this AD.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (80 
FR 22140, April 21, 2015) and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Change Referenced Service Information

    Korean Air requested that this AD mandate following PW ASB No. 
PW4G-100-A73-44 Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015 instead of PW ASB 
No. PW4G-100-A73-44, dated October 10, 2014. Korean Air would like to 
receive credit for service performed in accordance with the latest 
revision of the ASB.
    We agree. We changed this AD to include PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44 
Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015 and added a Credit for Previous 
Action section to provide credit when PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, dated 
October 10, 2014 is followed, before the effective date of this AD.

Request To Add Service Information

    Korean Air requested that engines incorporating Special Instruction 
(SI) 129F-14 meet the requirement for compliance with this AD since SI 
129F-14 provides the same instructions as PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, 
dated October 10, 2014 and PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44 Revision 1, dated 
February 12, 2015.
    We agree. We added SI 129F-14 to the Credit for Previous Action 
section.

Request To Change Mandatory Terminating Action

    Korean Air requested that the Mandatory Terminating Action section 
be changed to state that the actions listed are closing actions to the 
repetitive inspections defined in the Compliance section.
    We agree. We changed the Mandatory Terminating Action section by 
adding, ``As terminating action to the repetitive inspection 
requirements in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD do the following:''.

Request To Change Applicability

    PW requested that engines incorporating PW Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. PW4G-100-72-220, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2011 be added to 
the Applicability section.
    We disagree. Engines incorporating PW SB No. PW4G-100-72-220, 
Revision 4, dated September 30, 2011 are identified in the 
Applicability section by model designation. We did not change this AD.

Request To Redefine ``Cycles''

    PW requested that the definition of cycles be changed from ``cycles 
since new or cycles since the incorporation of PW SB No. PW4G-100-72-
214, dated December 15, 2011 or SB No. PW4G-100-72-219, Revision 1, 
dated October 5, 2011'' to ``since new (1st run) or since last torque 
application to the B-nuts on the fuel nozzle installation.'' The 
justification for this request is that the B-nuts could have been 
torqued subsequent to the incorporation of the service bulletins.
    We agree. We changed the Definition paragraph to define cycles as 
``. . . since new or cycles since last torque application to the B-nuts 
on the fuel nozzle installation.''

Request To Change Compliance Time

    Asiana Airlines requested that the compliance time listed in this 
AD match the dates listed in the ASB. Asiana believes the compliance 
time listed in this AD is more restrictive than the dates listed in the 
ASB.
    We disagree. Using cycles since the effective date of this AD 
instead of calendar dates provides greater fleet management flexibility 
to the operator while acceptably resolving the unsafe condition.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously.
    We also 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 would affect about 72 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We 
estimate that parts replacement will cost about $1,356 per engine. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $391,392.

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

    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),
    (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.

[[Page 52179]]

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):

2015-17-17 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-18250 ; Docket No. FAA-
2014-1130; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-04-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 2, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4164-1D, PW4168-
1D, PW4168A-1D and PW4170 engines; and all PW4164, PW4168, and 
PW4168A turbofan engines that have incorporated either PW Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. PW4G-100-72-214, dated December 15, 2011 or PW SB 
No. PW4G-100-72-219, Revision 1, dated October 5, 2011.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply manifold 
interface fuel leaks. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks 
which could result in engine fire and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Within 800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
and within every 800 flight hours since last inspection thereafter, 
inspect all fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply manifold interfaces for 
evidence of fuel leaks, soot, and coke formation. Use the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part A, of PW Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. PW4G-100-A73-44, Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015 to do 
the inspections.
    (2) Replace hardware that fails an inspection. Use the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part A, of PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, 
Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015 to do the replacement.

(f) Mandatory Terminating Action

    As terminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements 
in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD do the following:
    (1) Inspect all fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply manifold interfaces 
for fuel leaks, soot, and coke formation, replace hardware that 
fails inspection, and re-torque all fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply 
manifold B-nuts as follows:
    (i) For engines with fewer than 1,500 cycles on the effective 
date of this AD, before accumulating another 650 cycles, not to 
exceed 1,900 cycles.
    (ii) For engines with 1,500 cycles or more, but less than 2,500 
cycles on the effective date of this AD, before accumulating another 
400 cycles, not to exceed 2,700 cycles.
    (iii) For engines with 2,500 cycles or more on the effective 
date of this AD, before accumulating another 200 cycles.
    (2) Use the Accomplishment Instructions, Parts B through E, of 
PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015 to 
do the inspection, replacement, and retorqueing.

(g) Credit for Previous Action

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (e) and (f) of this AD, if the actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD, using the procedures specified 
in PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, dated October 10, 2014 or Special 
Instruction 129F-14.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD ``cycles'' is defined as cycles since 
new or cycles since last torque application to the B-nuts on the 
fuel nozzle installation.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Katheryn Malatek, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(k) 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 (PW) ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, Revision 1, 
dated February 12, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For PW service information identified in this AD, contact 
Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-
565-8770; fax: 860-565-4503.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is 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 August 18, 2015.
Diane S. Romanosky,
Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21204 Filed 8-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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