Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Engines

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47756-47757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15634]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0939; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00743-E; 
Amendment 39-22513; AD 2023-15-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. 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 Canada Corp. (P&WC) Model PW307D engines. This AD is 
prompted by a root cause analysis of an event involving an uncontained 
failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk, on an 
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) Model V2533-A5 engine, that 
resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling and an 
aborted takeoff. This AD requires removing certain HPT 2nd-stage disks 
from service and also prohibits installation of certain HPT 2nd-stage 
disks on any affected engine. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 29, 2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No.FAA-2023-0939; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
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 all P&WC Model PW307D 
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2023 (88 
FR 30264). The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2022-31, 
dated June 9, 2022, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation 
authority for Canada (referred to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI 
states that on March 18, 2020, an Airbus Model A321-231 airplane, 
powered by IAE Model V2533-A5 engines, experienced an uncontained HPT 
1st-stage disk failure that resulted in an aborted takeoff and high-
energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. In response to the March 
2020 uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure, the FAA issued a series of 
ADs, including Emergency AD 2020-07-51, Amendment 39-21110 (85 FR 
20402, April 13, 2020) (AD 2020-07-51). Since the FAA issued AD 2020-
07-51, IAE determined that the failure of the V2533-A5 engine was due 
to an undetected subsurface material defect in the HPT 1st-stage disk 
that may affect the life of the part. In coordination with IAE, P&WC 
performed a records review and analysis of PW307A and PW307D engine 
parts made of similar material and identified two additional affected 
HPT 2nd-stage disks (S/Ns A004D8X1 and A004E9K3), installed on PW307D 
engines. These two additional HPT 2nd-stage disks may have a material 
defect which could reduce the life of the part. As such, the affected 
HPT 2nd-stage disks must be removed from service.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing certain part-
numbered HPT 2nd-stage disks from service and proposed to prohibit the 
installation of these HPT 2nd-stage disks onto any engine. 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-2023-0939.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are 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 these products. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT 2nd-stage disk..........  10 work-hours x $85 per        $176,000         $176,850         $353,700
                                       hour = $850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 47757]]

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:

2023-15-01 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-22513; Docket 
No. FAA-2023-0939; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00743-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 29, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) Model 
PW307D engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a root cause analysis of an event 
involving an International Aero Engines AG Model V2533-A5 engine, 
which experienced an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine 
(HPT) 1st-stage disk that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating 
the engine cowling. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the HPT 2nd-stage disk. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in uncontained HPT disk failure, damage to the engine, 
damage to the airplane, and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    For engines with an HPT 2nd-stage disk, part number (P/N) 
30P3182-01, with serial number (S/N) A004D8X1 or A004E9K3 installed, 
within 100 engine cycles after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the HPT 2nd-stage disk from service.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HPT 2nd-
stage disk having P/N 30P3182-01 with S/N A004D8X1 or A004E9K3 on 
any engine.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation 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 responsible Flight 
Standards 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. Information may 
be emailed 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) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-31, dated June 9, 2022, 
for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found in 
the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0939.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara 
Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on July 19, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15634 Filed 7-24-23; 8:45 am]
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