Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Series Reciprocating Engines

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26833-26835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12297]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-58-AD; Amendment 39-11173; AD 99-11-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Series 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Pratt & Whitney R-1340 series reciprocating engines, that 
requires initial and repetitive visual and fluorescent penetrant 
inspections of cylinders for head cracking. This amendment is prompted 
by reports of cylinder head cracking. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent cylinder head cracking, which can result in 
engine power loss, forced landing, and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Effective July 19, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Pratt & Whitney, Publications Department, Supervisor 
Technical Publications Distribution, M/S 132-30, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-7700, fax (860) 565-4503. This 
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the

[[Page 26834]]

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7134, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Pratt & Whitney (PW) R-1340 series 
reciprocating engines was published in the Federal Register on June 12, 
1998 (63 FR 32151). That action proposed to require initial and 
repetitive visual inspections of cylinders in accordance with PW 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 1787, dated September 7, 1983, for head 
cracking at intervals based upon whether the engines are cowled and 
baffled, or unbaffled installations. Cracked cylinder heads must be 
replaced with serviceable parts if found cracked. In addition, this AD 
would require fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of each cylinder 
at overhaul.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Four commenters request the FAA to allow pilots or operators who 
have completed a yet to be established educational workshop to conduct 
the visual inspections because of the frequency of these inspections, 
potential economic hardship, and the availability of FAA-certified 
mechanics who could be far away. The FAA does not concur. The FAA 
disagrees that the pilot inspections could substitute for the required 
visual inspections described in this AD. The FAA encourages the proper 
educational workshops to familiarize operators with the visual 
inspection techniques; however, the FAA still believes that the 
referenced inspections should be conducted by the FAA-certified 
mechanics who are the only certified people with the required expertise 
and experience to assure a comprehensive inspection.
    One commenter (the manufacturer) states that the cylinder part 
number should be removed from the AD, and the AD should just make 
reference to cylinder heads because of the following three reasons: (1) 
The part progression history has become very complicated in the last 
few decades, (2) the complete part list is not available, and (3) all 
cylinder heads installed on the R-1340 series engines as specified in 
the Applicability provision are subject to the requirements of this AD. 
The FAA concurs, and the part number reference has been removed from 
this final rule.
    One commenter states that in the Applicability the ``Schweizer 
G164A'' and ``De Havilland DHC3 series'' should be changed to ``Ag Cat 
Corporation G-164A'' and ``de Havilland DHC-3'', respectively, and that 
the definition of ``R-1340 series'' should be clarified to include 
specific engine models in the Applicability section. The FAA concurs 
and the Applicability has been revised accordingly in this final rule.
    One commenter states that the inspection costs listed in the 
economic analysis are unrealistically low because the AD will apply to 
ex-military ``warbird'' aircraft that operate these engines. The FAA 
does not concur. The FAA's estimated cost is based on an average of the 
estimates for costs for all aircraft operated under normal conditions, 
and based on the best available information. The costs for a particular 
operator may be higher than the average.
    One commenter is concerned with mandating an arbitrary number of 
hours for inspection of PW R-1340 engines by an FAA-certificated 
mechanic. The FAA does not concur. The inspection intervals required by 
this AD are not arbitrary, but based on the frequency of cylinder head 
cracking observed in service, data supplied by the manufacturer, and 
the inspection intervals already recommended by the manufacturer in the 
SB.
    One commenter states that the proposed inspection should include 
all known areas in the cylinder head where cracks could lead to a 
cylinder failure. The FAA does not concur. The FAA believes that the 
proposed inspections in this AD are a timely initiative to monitor the 
cylinder head cracking issue. The inspections of other areas will not 
be required at this point in time. However, future rulemaking may be 
considered when more safety data are available to warrant such 
inspections.
    One commenter states that although the required FPI is a good 
proposal, it will impose significant problems for some foreign 
operators whose civil airworthiness authorities require special 
certification for performing an FPI. The FAA concurs that the FPI is 
essential to the proposed inspection program, but has no comment on 
what impact the required actions may have on a foreign operator 
governed by its own civil airworthiness authority.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    There are approximately 3,000 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 2,535 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 1 work hour per engine to accomplish the visual 
inspection, and 15 work hours to accomplish the FPI, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $2,000 per engine. In addition, the FAA estimates that 5% 
of the fleet will require replacement parts upon inspection. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $2,687,100.
    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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:

[[Page 26835]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

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

99-11-02  Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-11173. Docket 97-ANE-58-AD.

    Applicability: Pratt & Whitney (PW) R-1340 series reciprocating 
engines including Wasp S1H1, S1H1-G, S1H2, S1H4, S1H5-G, S3H2, R-
1340-61 under Type Certificate E-129, Wasp S3H1-G, R-1340-59 under 
Type Certificate E-142, and also Wasp S3H1 under Type Certificate E-
143. These engines are installed on but not limited to the following 
aircraft: de Havilland DHC-3, Air Tractor AT-301, and Ag Cat 
Corporation G-164A.

    Note 1: 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 request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cylinder head cracking, which can result in engine 
power loss, forced landing, and damage to the aircraft, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Perform initial and repetitive visual inspection of 
cylinders for head cracking, and replace cracked cylinders with 
serviceable parts, in accordance with PW Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
1787, dated September 7, 1983, as follow:
    (1) For cowled and baffled installations, as follows:
    (i) Perform the initial visual inspection within 125 hours time-
in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) Thereafter, visually inspect at intervals not to exceed 250 
hours TIS since last inspection.
    (2) For all other installations, as follows:
    (i) Perform the initial visual inspection within 50 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) Thereafter, visually inspect at intervals not to exceed 100 
hours TIS since last inspection.
    (b) At the last cylinder overhaul after the effective date of 
this AD, and at each subsequent overhaul, perform a fluorescent 
penetrant inspection (FPI) of cylinders for head cracking, and 
replace cracked cylinders with serviceable parts, in accordance with 
PW SB No. 1787, dated September 7, 1983.
    (c) 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. 
Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following PW SB:

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     Document No.                Pages                    Date
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1787..................  1-4...................  September 7, 1983.
Total Pages: 4.
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Pratt & Whitney, Publications 
Department, Supervisor Technical Publications Distribution, M/S 132-
30, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-
7700, fax (860) 565-4503. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 19, 1999.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 10, 1999.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-12297 Filed 5-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M

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