Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58328-58329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28075]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-ANE-15; Amendment 39-11392; AD 99-22-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


 Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 series turbofan 
engines, that currently requires installation of high pressure turbine 
(HPT) containment hardware. This amendment requires removing low 
pressure turbine (LPT)-to-exhaust case bolts and nuts and replacement 
with improved LPT-to-exhaust case bolts and nuts, and installation of 
improved HPT containment hardware. This amendment is prompted by 
uncontained HPT events resulting from HPT shaft fractures and LPT 
flange separations resulting from LPT blade failures. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage to the airplane 
resulting from uncontained engine debris following an HPT shaft 
fracture or an LPT blade failure.

DATES: Effective December 28, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 28, 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 St., East 
Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-8770, 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 01803-5299; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7152, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 93-23-10, 
Amendment 39-8746 (57 FR 57705, December 17, 1993), which is applicable 
to certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-200 series turbofan engines, was 
published in the Federal Register on March 15, 1999 (64 FR 12770). That 
action proposed to require removing low pressure turbine (LPT)-to-
exhaust case bolts and nuts and replacement with improved LPT-to-
exhaust case bolts and nuts, and installation of improved high pressure 
turbine (HPT) containment hardware.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter requests Revision 1 of PW Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
6149, dated August 27, 1998, be the required SB for performance of the 
actions required by paragraph (b) of the proposed rule. The FAA 
concurs. Since publication of the NPRM, PW has also issued Revision 1 
to PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A6346, dated April 23, 1999. The 
FAA has added both later revisions to this final rule as references. 
Operators who have installed hardware in accordance with the original 
versions of the SB and the ASB are not required to apply for an 
Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) in order to be considered as 
having complied with the AD.
    One commenter states that the estimated number of domestic JT8D-
217C/219 engines is incorrect in the economic analysis of the proposed 
rule, and offers a better estimate. The FAA concurs and has revised the 
economic analysis in this final rule.
    One commenter has no objection to the rule as proposed.
    One commenter agrees with the rule as proposed.
    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 2,727 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,473 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, and that no 
additional work hours per engine to accomplish the required actions are 
necessary since they should take place when an engine is already 
sufficiently disassembled for normal maintenance on those parts. 
Required parts will cost approximately $19,911 per engine for the 1,030 
engines requiring improved (over AD 93-23-10) containment hardware, and 
$3,275 for 1,473 engines requiring improved bolts and nuts. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $25,332,405. The manufacturer may be providing parts 
free of charge; therefore the actual cost to operators may be reduced.
    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

[[Page 58329]]

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:

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 removing Amendment 39-8746 (57 FR 
57705, December 17, 1993) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-11392, to read as follows:

99-22-14 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-11392. Docket 92-ANE-15. 
Supersedes AD 93-23-10, Amendment 39-8746.

    Applicability: Pratt & Whitney (PW) Model JT8D-209, -217, -217A, 
-217C, and -219 turbofan engines, installed on but not limited to 
McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series airplanes.

    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 (d) 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 damage to the airplane resulting from uncontained 
engine debris following a high pressure turbine (HPT) shaft fracture 
or a low pressure turbine (LPT) blade failure, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) For PW Model JT8D-217C and -219 engines, install improved 
HPT containment hardware at the next shop visit after the effective 
date of this AD, but no later than December 31, 2004, in accordance 
with PW JT8D Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A6346, dated September 
10, 1998, or Revision 1, dated April 23, 1999.
    (b) For PW Model JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C and -219 engines, 
install improved LPT-to-turbine exhaust case bolts and nuts at the 
next shop visit after the effective date of this AD but no later 
than December 31, 2004, in accordance with paragraph 2.A.(1) and 
2.B.(1) of PW Service Bulletin (SB) No. 6149, January 19, 1994, or 
Revision 1, dated August 27, 1998.
    (c) For the purpose of this AD, an engine shop visit is defined 
as engine maintenance that entails the separation of the J and K 
flanges.
    (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 (ECO). 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative method of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the ECO.
    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following PW service documents:

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         Document No.                   Pages                 Revision                       Date
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ASB No. A6346.................  1,2..................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
                                3....................  Original.............  September 10, 1998.
                                4....................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
                                5,6..................  Original.............  September 10, 1998.
                                7-25.................  1....................  April 23, 1999.
    Total pages: 25.
ASB No. A6346.................  1-23.................  Original.............  September 10, 1998.
    Total pages: 23.
SB No. 6149...................  1-3..................  1....................  August 27, 1998.
                                4-10.................  Original.............  January 19, 1994.
    Total pages: 10.
SB No. 6149...................  1-10.................  Original.............  January 19, 1994.
    Total pages: 10.
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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 St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-8770, 
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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 28, 1999.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1999.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28075 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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