Airworthiness Directives; Pratt and Whitney Model JT8D-9A Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 164 (Thursday, August 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43962-43964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20852]



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[[Page 43963]]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-40; Amendment 39-9345; AD 95-15-51]


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt and Whitney Model JT8D-9A 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in theFederal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) T95-15-51 that was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Pratt and Whitney 
(PW) Model JT8D-9A engines by individual telegrams. This AD requires 
inspection, and replacement, if necessary, of suspect 7th through 12th 
stage HPC disks. This amendment is prompted by a report of an 
uncontained engine failure during takeoff. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent an uncontained HPC disk failure and 
damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Effective September 8, 1995, to all persons except those persons 
to whom it was made immediately effective by telegraphic AD T95-15-51, 
issued July 10, 1995, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 23, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-40, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark A. Rumizen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 
238-7137, fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 10, 1995, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued telegraphic airworthiness directive (AD) 
T95-15-51, applicable to certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) Model JT8D-9A 
turbofan engines, which requires inspection, and replacement, if 
necessary, of suspect 7th through 12th stage high pressure compressor 
(HPC) disks. That action was prompted by a report that on June 8, 1995, 
a PW JT8D-9A engine, installed on a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 aircraft, 
experienced an uncontained engine failure during takeoff at the William 
B. Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. After the 
engine failure, the takeoff was aborted and the aircraft was stopped on 
the runway. Engine fragments penetrated the cabin, struck a fuel line, 
and initiated a fire that destroyed the aircraft. The FAA's on-going 
investigation has revealed that the 7th stage HPC disk failed due to a 
fatigue crack that originated at a corrosion pit in a shielding hole. 
The aircraft records showed that the engine was one of a total of 24 
acquired from Turk Hava Yollari (THY), a Turkish domestic and 
international airline that also operates a PW JT8D engine overhaul and 
maintenance facility. The FAA has determined that THY may not have 
performed the inspection of the subject disk in accordance with all 
practices and procedures specified by the FAA and PW. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in an uncontained HPC disk failure and 
damage to the aircraft.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other engines of the same type design, the FAA issued Telegraphic AD 
T95-15-51 to prevent an uncontained HPC disk failure and damage to the 
aircraft. The AD requires inspection, and replacement, if necessary, of 
suspect 7th through 12th stage HPC disks.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual telegrams 
issued on July 10, 1995, to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
engines. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published 
in theFederal Register as an amendment to Section 39.13 of part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to make it effective 
to all persons.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-ANE-40.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

[[Page 43964]]


Adoption of the Amendment
    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-15-51 Pratt and Whitney: Amendment 39-9345. Docket 95-ANE-40

    Applicability: Pratt and Whitney (PW) Model JT8D-9A turbofan 
engines identified by the following Serial Numbers: 656953, 656981, 
657299, 657308, 657607, 657608, 657612, 666862, 666868, 666906, 
666912, 666915, 666948, 666955, 666957, 666967, 666973, 666987, 
667136, 667137, 667143, 667154, and 667165. These engines are 
installed on but not limited to Boeing 727 and 737 series, and 
McDonnell Douglas DC-9 series aircraft.

    Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the 
authority provided in paragraph (d) to request approval from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address 
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent an uncontained high pressure compressor (HPC) disk 
failure and damage to the aircraft, accomplish the following:
    (a) For engines that contain any 7th through 12th stage HPC disk 
that has accumulated 2,900 or more cycles in service (CIS) on the 
effective date of this AD since HPC disk inspection performed by 
Turk Hava Yollari (THY), visually inspect each 7th through 12th 
stage HPC disk within 10 days, or 100 CIS after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, for evidence of corrosion 
pitting and cracks in accordance with PW JT8D Engine Manual, Part 
Number (P/N) 481672, Section 72-36-41 through -46, as applicable. 
Pay particular attention to the inspection of the bolt holes, and 
shielding holes, as applicable. Replace all corroded or cracked 
disks with a serviceable part prior to further flight.
    (b) For engines that contain any 7th through 12th stage HPC disk 
that has accumulated less than 2,900 CIS on the effective date of 
this AD since HPC disk inspection performed by THY, visually inspect 
each 7th through 12th stage HPC disk prior to the accumulation of 
3,000 CIS since HPC inspection performed by THY for evidence of 
corrosion pitting and cracks in accordance with PW JT8D Engine 
Manual, P/N 481672, Section 72-36-41 through -46, as applicable. Pay 
particular attention to the inspection of the bolt holes, and 
shielding holes, as applicable. Replace all corroded or cracked 
disks with a serviceable part prior to further flight.
    (c) No AD action is required for those engines that contain 7th 
through 12th stage HPC disks that were all inspected by an FAA-
approved repair station after the last 7th through 12th stage HPC 
disk inspection performed by THY.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. The 
request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective September 8, 1995, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by telegraphic AD T95-15-51, issued July 10, 1995, which 
contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 15, 1995.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20852 Filed 8-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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