Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9387-9389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03069]



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Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 30 / Tuesday, February 14, 2023 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 9387]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00632-E; 
Amendment 39-22327; AD 2023-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6E-67XP model turboprop 
engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier. This AD is prompted by 
multiple reports of engines failing to achieve required power (torque) 
during high power applications due to internal leaks in the bleed-off 
valves (BOVs). This AD requires replacement of the compressor BOV 
assembly, replacement of the BOV orifice feed air tube assembly, and 
installation of a redesigned P3 probe snorkel, as specified in a 
Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 21, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 21, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For material that is IBR in this final rule, contact 
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-
3639; email: [email protected]; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
    <bullet> 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. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1477.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7146; 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 certain P&WC PT6E-67XP 
model turboprop engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2022 (87 FR 69218). 
The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26-E, dated May 
12, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26-E) (referred to after this as 
the MCAI). The MCAI states that there have been reports of multiple 
incidents in which engines were unable to achieve the required power 
(torque) during high power applications. A manufacturer investigation 
found that contamination from the glass beads used in the manufacturing 
process during the gas generator casing (GGC) production caused 
internal leaks in the BOVs, preventing the BOVs from fully closing at 
high power settings.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of the 
compressor BOV assembly, replacement of the BOV orifice feed air tube 
assembly, and installation of a redesigned P3 probe snorkel, as 
specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1477.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. 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 this product. 
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any 
operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, which specifies 
procedures for the replacement of the compressor BOV assembly, 
replacement of the BOV orifice feed air tube assembly, and installation 
of a redesigned P3 probe snorkel.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 100 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 9388]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace compressor BOV assembly.......  5 work-hours x $85 per           $13,102         $13,527      $1,352,700
                                         hour = $425.
Replace BOV orifice feed air tube       6 work-hours x $85 per            22,000          22,510       2,251,000
 assembly with P3 probe snorkel and      hour = $510.
 BOV orifice feed air tube assembly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2023-03-02 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-22327; Docket 
No. FAA-2022-1477; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00632-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6E-67XP 
model turboprop engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier, as 
identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, dated May 12, 2022 
(Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of multiple incidents in which 
engines were unable to achieve the required power (torque) during 
high power applications due to internal leaks in the bleed-off 
valves (BOVs) caused by glass bead contamination. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to prevent internal leaks in the BOVs, and to prevent the 
failure of the engine to achieve the required power (torque) during 
high power applications. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in loss of thrust control and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: 
Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified 
in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 refers to hours air 
time, this AD requires using flight hours.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 specifies compliance 
from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date 
of this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada 
AD CF-2022-26 specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) 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 Sec.  
39.19. In accordance with Sec.  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 (k) of this AD or 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, dated May 12, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26-E, contact Transport 
Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-
3639; email: [email protected]; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District

[[Page 9389]]

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 1, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03069 Filed 2-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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