Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36390-36392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13088]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0589; Project Identifier AD-2022-00376-E; 
Amendment 39-22084; AD 2022-12-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4062 model turbofan engines. 
This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing quality escape due 
to insufficient cooling of the low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 5 air 
seal resulting in a reduction of the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) life 
limit. This AD requires removal and replacement of the LPT stage 5 air 
seal with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 5, 2022.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 1, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0589; 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, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7655; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA received a report from the manufacturer of a quality 
escape, resulting in a life reduction of the LPT stage 5 air seal 
installed on certain PW4062 model turbofan engines. Subsequent 
investigation by the manufacturer revealed that insufficient cooling 
after heat treatment resulted in non-conformance to the design 
specifications. This non-conformance lowers the LCF capability in a 
section of the LPT stage 5 air seal that already has an LCF life limit, 
resulting in a reduction in the LCF life limit from 15,000 cycles to 
8,240 cycles. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the 
uncontained release of the LPT stage 5 air seal, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in 
other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removal and replacement of the LPT stage 5 air 
seal.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    The FAA has found the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because no domestic 
operators use this product. It is unlikely that the FAA will receive 
any adverse comments or useful information about this AD from any U.S. 
operator. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for 
the foregoing reason, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 
5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 
days.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0589; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00376-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI

[[Page 36391]]

should be sent to Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, 
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that 
the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be 
placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 0 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace LPT stage 5 air      49 work-hours x $85 per         $165,270        $169,435              $0
 seal.                                   hour = $4,165.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:
2022-12-12 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-22084; Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0589; Project Identifier AD-2022-00376-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 5, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4062 model 
turbofan engines with an installed low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 
5 air seal, part number (P/N) 50N324, having a serial number (S/N) 
listed in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD, installed.

[[Page 36392]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17JN22.033

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing quality 
escape due to insufficient cooling of the LPT stage 5 air seal 
resulting in a reduction of the life of the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) 
life limit. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT 
stage 5 air seal. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in the uncontained release of the LPT stage 5 air seal, 
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

    At the next piece-part exposure, or before the LPT stage 5 air 
seal accumulates 8,240 cycles since new, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, remove the LPT stage 5 air seal 
from service and replace it with a part eligible for installation.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' is when 
an LPT stage 5 air seal has been disassembled from the engine.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' is an LPT stage 5 air seal, P/N 50N324, with an S/N 
not listed in Table 1 to Paragraph (c) of this AD.

(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 and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Carol Nguyen, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7655; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on June 14, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-13088 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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