Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 27, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79235-79236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28091]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1306; Project Identifier AD-2022-01040-E; 
Amendment 39-22289; AD 2022-27-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521G-3, PW1521GA, PW1524G, 
PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-3 model turbofan engines. This AD was 
prompted by an uncommanded dual engine shutdown upon landing, resulting 
in compromised braking capability due to the loss of engine power and 
hydraulic systems. This AD requires removal from service of certain 
electronic engine control (EEC) full authority digital engine control 
(FADEC) software versions and replacement with updated software. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 31, 2023.

ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1306; 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: Mark Taylor, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7229; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all PW PW1519G, 
PW1521G, PW1521G-3, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-
3 model turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
October 25, 2022 (87 FR 64397). The NPRM was prompted by a report that 
an airplane experienced an uncommanded dual engine shutdown upon 
landing, resulting in compromised braking capability due to the loss of 
engine power and hydraulic systems. A subsequent investigation 
determined that the sequence of the auto-throttle increasing throttle 
to maintain Mach number, immediately followed by pilot command to 
decrease throttle to idle, caused a transient disagreement between 
actual and commanded thrust. This disagreement triggered the thrust 
control malfunction (TCM) detection logic and resulted in dual engine 
shutdown once the weight on wheels signal was activated upon landing. 
The installed EEC FADEC software version latches the fault and allows 
the engine to continue operation as commanded but shuts down the engine 
upon landing. The manufacturer identified the situations that could 
trigger the TCM logic erroneously and updated the EEC FADEC software. 
This software update makes corrective improvements to the TCM logic, 
including revised criteria for triggering the TCM logic and 
establishing criteria that permit the TCM logic to unlatch during 
flight. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removal from service 
of certain EEC FADEC software versions and replacement with a software 
version 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 one comment, from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA). ALPA supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-A-73-00-0054-00A-
930A-D, Issue No. 002, dated June 20, 2022. This service information 
specifies procedures for replacing or modifying the EEC to incorporate 
FADEC software version V2.11.14.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 147 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 79236]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrade EEC FADEC Software............  2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170         $24,990
                                         hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,
    (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:

2022-27-04 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-22289; Docket No. FAA-2022-
1306; Project Identifier AD-2022-01040-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 31, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521G-3, 
PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-3 model turbofan 
engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7600, Engine 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an uncommanded dual engine shutdown upon 
landing, resulting in compromised braking capability due to the loss 
of engine power and hydraulic systems. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent compromised braking capability due to uncommanded dual 
engine shutdown upon landing. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in runway excursion.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    For affected engines with installed electronic engine control 
(EEC) full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software version 
earlier than V2.11.14.1, within 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD, remove the EEC FADEC software and replace with an EEC 
FADEC software version eligible for installation.

(h) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, ``EEC FADEC software version 
eligible for installation'' is EEC FADEC software version V2.11.14.1 
or later.

(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 Mark Taylor, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7229; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on December 20, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-28091 Filed 12-23-22; 8:45 am]
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