Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4320-4323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02453]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0826; Product Identifier 2018-NE-27; Amendment 39-
19553; AD 2019-03-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) 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 certain 
Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, 
PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by 
an in-flight failure of a 1st-stage low-pressure compressor (LPC) 
blade. This AD requires initial and repetitive thermal acoustic imaging 
(TAI) inspections for cracks in certain 1st-stage LPC blades and 
removal of those blades that fail inspection. We are issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 22, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 22, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Pratt & Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT, 
06118; phone: 800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442; email: 
[email protected]. You may view this

[[Page 4321]]

service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also 
available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0826.

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-2018-
0826; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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: Jo-Ann Theriault, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7105; 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 certain PW PW4074, PW4074D, 
PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2018 (83 FR 
50862). The NPRM was prompted by an in-flight failure of a 1st-stage 
LPC blade. The NPRM proposed to require initial and repetitive TAI 
inspections for cracks in certain 1st-stage LPC blades and removal of 
those blades that fail inspection. We are issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Give Credit for Earlier Revisions of PW ASB

    PW and Japan Airlines (JAL) requested that we revise the Credit for 
Previous Actions paragraph of this AD to give credit for revisions of 
Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-112-A72-268, earlier 
than Revision No. 6, dated August 5, 2014. PW and JAL reason that TAI 
inspections performed using earlier revisions of the PW ASB meet the 
requirements of this AD.
    We agree. We revised the Credit for Previous Actions paragraph of 
this AD to give credit for accomplishing the initial TAI inspection if 
operators used Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G-112-A72-268, Revision No. 6, 
dated August 5, 2014, or earlier revisions, because this meets the 
intended safety requirements of this AD.

Request To Clarify Installation Prohibition

    PW and JAL requested that we revise the Installation Prohibition 
paragraph to align with the wording in Table 1, Step 3, of Pratt & 
Whitney ASB PW4G-112-A72-268, Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 2018, 
which states, ``All blades that have never been TAI inspected but have 
accumulated greater than 1,000 cycles must be inspected prior to 
December 31, 2027.'' JAL reasoned that the intent of the Installation 
Prohibition is the same as the PW ASB.
    JAL also requested that we define ``install 1st-stage LPC blade'' 
and clarify that the Installation Prohibition paragraph does not 
prohibit removing and reinstalling 1st-stage LPC blades for the purpose 
of relubrication.
    We partially agree. We agree that the intent of the Installation 
Prohibition section in the NPRM was the same as the PW ASB. We also 
agree that 1st-stage LPC blades that are removed solely for 
relubrication do not need to be inspected before reinstallation because 
this AD intends to inspect 1st-stage LPC blades at every M-flange 
separation. We do not agree, however, to modify the Installation 
Prohibition paragraph as we have determined that this paragraph is 
unnecessary because the AD already requires the initial inspections at 
specific thresholds. These thresholds provide an acceptable level of 
safety. We removed the Installation Prohibition paragraph from this AD.

Support for the AD

    The Air Line Pilots Association, Boeing Company, and the National 
Transportation Safety Board expressed support for the NPRM as written.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the changes described previously and minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G-112-A72-268, Revision No. 7, 
dated September 6, 2018. The PW ASB describes procedures for performing 
1st-stage LPC blade TAI inspections. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 120 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.........................  22 work-hours x $85 per                  $0          $1,870        $224,400
                                      hour = $1,870.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
these replacements:

[[Page 4322]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace 1st-stage LPC blade................  0 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0...        $125,000        $125,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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, 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):

2019-03-01 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-19553; Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0826; Product Identifier 2018-NE-27-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 22, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, 
PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan 
engines, with 1st-stage low-pressure compressor (LPC) blade, part 
numbers 52A241, 55A801, 55A801-001, 55A901, 55A901-001, 56A201, 
56A201-001, or 56A221, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an uncontained 1st-stage LPC blade 
failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 1st-stage 
LPC blade. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
uncontained blade release, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) After the effective date of this AD, perform an initial 
thermal acoustic imaging (TAI) inspection of the 1st-stage LPC 
blades as follows:
    (i) For 1st-stage LPC blades that have accumulated fewer than 
6,500 cycles since new (CSN), perform a TAI inspection the next time 
the engine is separated at the M-flange, or prior to the 1st-stage 
LPC blade accumulating 7,000 CSN, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For 1st-stage LPC blades that have accumulated 6,500 or 
more CSN, or if the cycles since the blade was new cannot be 
determined, or if the cycles since the blade was last TAI inspected 
cannot be determined, perform a TAI inspection within 500 flight 
cycles or 180 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first.
    (2) Thereafter, perform a TAI inspection of 1st-stage LPC blades 
every time the engine is separated at the M-flange and the blades 
have accumulated 1,000 or more flight cycles since the last TAI 
inspection, not to exceed 6,500 flight cycles since the last TAI 
inspection.
    (3) If any 1st-stage LPC blade fails the inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, remove the blade from service 
and replace with a part eligible for installation before further 
flight.
    (4) The TAI inspection and disposition required for compliance 
with this AD must be accomplished by a method approved by the FAA. 
You can find a vendor that has an FAA-approved TAI inspection listed 
in the Vendor Services Section of Pratt & Whitney Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-112-A72-268, Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 
2018.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the initial TAI inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you performed the TAI inspection 
before the effective date of this AD using Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G-
112-A72-268, Revision No. 6, dated August 5, 2014, or earlier 
revisions.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. You may email your request 
to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager

[[Page 4323]]

of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jo-Ann Theriault, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7105; 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 22, 2019.
    (i) Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW4G-112-A72-268, 
Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved].
    (4) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this 
AD, contact Pratt & Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT, 06118; phone: 800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442; email: 
[email protected].
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (6) 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 February 7, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-02453 Filed 2-14-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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