Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW535A Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 232 (Monday, December 4, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70284-70286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20204]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26112; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-35-AD; 
Amendment 39-14837; AD 2006-24-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW535A 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fuel 
manifold leakage that could result in engine fire, in-flight shutdown 
or damage to the airframe. This AD requires actions that are intended 
to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 19, 2006. The Director of the

[[Page 70285]]

Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of P&WC Alert 
Service Bulletin PW500-72-A30314, dated September 27, 2006, listed in 
the AD as of December 19, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7178; 
fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Airworthiness Directive CF-2006-22, dated October 26, 2006 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that there have 
been three reported incidents of PW535A engines leaking fuel in 
service. Investigation revealed the manufacturing process of the fuel 
manifold introduced characteristics that have resulted in a loss of 
sealing at a crimped joint. PW535A engine fuel manifold leakage that 
could result in engine fire, in-flight shutdown or damage to the 
airframe. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in 
the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Pratt & Whitney Canada has issued Alert Service Bulletin PW500-72-
A30314, dated September 27, 2006. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all the information provided by the State of Design Authority 
and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements take 
precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
flight hours per month of some operators exceed the compliance time of 
50 hours. The statistical mean operating hours per month is 37.8 hours 
with a maximum of approximately 110 hours per month for some operators 
based on a 1,710-engine sample size. Therefore, we determined that 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-26112; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NE-35-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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.
    We are 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

[[Page 70286]]

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

    We determined that 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 this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 AD:

2006-24-08 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-14837. Docket No. 
FAA-2006-26319; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-35-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
19, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW535A 
turbofan engines that have fuel manifold, part number (P/N) 3025267-
01, installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to 
Cessna Airplane Co. model 560 Citation Ultra Encore airplanes.

Reason

    (d) There have been three reported incidents of PW535A engines 
leaking fuel in service. Investigation revealed the manufacturing 
process of the fuel manifold introduced characteristics that have 
resulted in a loss of sealing at a crimped joint. PW535A fuel 
manifold leakage that could result in engine fire, in-flight 
shutdown or damage to the airframe.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Accomplish the following, in accordance with the 
instructions of P&WC Alert Service Bulletin PW500-72-A30314, dated 
September 27, 2006.
    (1) For engines with fuel manifold, part number (P/N) 3052627-
01, that has a total time since new (TTSN) of 1500 flight hours or 
higher: Within 50 flight hours or 60 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace fuel manifold, P/N 
3052627-01, with a serviceable part.
    (2) For engines with fuel manifold, part number (P/N) 3052627-
01, that has less than a total time since new (TTSN) of 1500 flight 
hours: Within 150 flight hours or 90 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace fuel manifold, P/N 
3052627-01, with a serviceable part.

Definition

    (f) A serviceable part is any replacement part except fuel 
manifold, P/N 3052627-01.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:

    (1) This AD is applicable to any engine that has fuel manifold, 
(P/N) 3052627-01, installed.
    (2) This AD allows replacing fuel manifold P/N 3052627-01 with a 
serviceable part as defined in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-
2006-22, dated October 26, 2006, and P&WC Alert Service Bulletin 
PW500-72-A30314, dated September 27, 2006, for related information.
    (i) Contact: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA, 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7178; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Pratt & Whitney Canada Alert Service Bulletin 
PW500-72-A30314, dated September 27, 2006 to do the actions required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
and Whitney Canada Customer Help Desk at 1-800-268-8000.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 22, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-20204 Filed 12-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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