Airworthiness Directives; Williams International Co., L.L.C. Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 5, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39738-39741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14183]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0511; Project Identifier AD-2020-01229-E; 
Amendment 39-22101; AD 2022-13-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Williams International Co., L.L.C. 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 39739]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Williams International Co., L.L.C. (Williams) FJ44-2A, FJ44-2C, 
FJ44-3A, and FJ44-3A-24 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by 
a report of cracks in the high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk posts and 
failure of an HPT disk post, resulting in the contained fracture of an 
HPT disk post and blade. This AD requires removing the HPT disk, part 
number (P/N) 67093, from service before reaching defined cycle limits 
and replacing it 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 August 9, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 9, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Williams International, Product Support, 2000 Centerpoint 
Parkway, Pontiac, MI 48341; phone: (800) 859-3544; website: http://www.williams-int.com/product-support. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 
222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0511; 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 address for Docket 
Operations 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: Kyle Bush, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Chicago ACO, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 
(847) 294-7870; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain 
Williams FJ44-2A, FJ44-2C, FJ44-3A, and FJ44-3A-24 model turbofan 
engines. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2022 
(87 FR 22153). The SNPRM was prompted by a report of cracks in the HPT 
disk posts and failure of an HPT disk post, resulting in the contained 
fracture of an HPT disk post and blade. Subsequently, Williams notified 
the FAA that revised service information was available, which added 
additional serial-numbered FJ44-2A, FJ44-2C, and FJ44-3A model turbofan 
engines to the effectivity and updated the compliance time for 
replacing the HPT disk. In the SNPRM, the FAA proposed to require 
removing the HPT disk, P/N 67093, from service before reaching defined 
cycle limits and replacing it with a part eligible for installation. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination 
of the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is 
adopted as proposed in the SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Williams International Service Bulletin (SB) WISB-
72-1032, Revision 2, dated June 4, 2020. This SB specifies procedures 
for removing and replacing the HPT rotor assemblies that include HPT 
disk, P/N 67093. This SB also provides instructions for incorporating 
the latest HPT combustor/fuel slinger module on FJ44-2A and FJ44-2C 
model turbofan engines. 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 
ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Williams International SB WISB-72-1034, Revision 
3, dated July 2, 2021. This SB describes procedures for re-identifying 
the HPT rotor assembly and HPT disk.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 242 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 the HPT disk.......  33 work-hours x $85 per          $16,694         $19,499      $4,718,758
                                         hour = $2,805.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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.

[[Page 39740]]

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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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:

2022-13-15 Williams International Co., L.L.C.: Amendment 39-22101; 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0511; Project Identifier AD-2020-01229-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 9, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Williams International Co., L.L.C. (Williams) 
FJ44-2A, FJ44-2C, FJ44-3A, and FJ44-3A-24 model turbofan engines 
with an engine serial number identified in paragraph 1.A., 
Effectivity, of Williams International Service Bulletin WISB-72-
1032, Revision 2, dated June 4, 2020 (the SB), with an installed 
high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk, part number (P/N) 67093.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracks in the HPT disk posts 
and failure of an HPT disk post, resulting in the contained fracture 
of an HPT disk post and blade. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
cracking and failure of the HPT disk posts. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in release of the HPT blade, 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) For FJ44-2A and FJ44-2C model turbofan engines, within the 
compliance times specified in Table 1 to Paragraph (g) of this AD, 
remove the affected HPT disk from service and replace it with a part 
eligible for installation using paragraphs 2.C. and E., 
Accomplishment Instructions--FJ44-2A & FJ44-2C, of the SB.
    (2) For FJ44-3A and FJ44-3A-24 model turbofan engines, within 
the compliance times specified in Table 1 to Paragraph (g) of this 
AD, remove the affected HPT disk from service and replace it with a 
part eligible for installation using paragraphs 3.C. and D., of the 
SB.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05JY22.000

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install onto any 
engine an HPT disk with P/N 67093.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO, 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.
    (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 Kyle Bush, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Chicago ACO, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, IL 60018; phone: (847) 294-7870; 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) Williams International Service Bulletin WISB-72-1032, 
Revision 2, dated June 4, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Williams International, Product Support, 2000 Centerpoint Parkway, 
Pontiac, MI 48341; phone: (800) 859-3544; website: http://www.williams-int.com/product-support.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For

[[Page 39741]]

information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(817) 222-5110.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 17, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-14183 Filed 7-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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