Rule2021-17654
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 18, 2021
Effective
September 22, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney PW1500G and PW1900G series turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the high-pressure compressor (HPC) rotor shaft that resulted in in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs) and unscheduled engine removals (UERs). This AD requires removal and replacement of the HPC front hub and HPC rotor shaft. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 157 (Wednesday, August 18, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 18, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46111-46113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17654]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0447; Project Identifier AD-2021-00131-E;
Amendment 39-21692; AD 2021-17-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Pratt & Whitney PW1500G and PW1900G series turbofan engines. This AD
was prompted by reports of cracks in the high-pressure compressor (HPC)
rotor shaft that resulted in in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs) and
unscheduled engine removals (UERs). This AD requires removal and
replacement of the HPC front hub and HPC rotor shaft. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 22, 2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118;
phone: (800) 565-0140; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1c9c4cdd19395e1d1d68fd4d5c28fc2cecc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e262b223e7c7a0e3e39603b3a2d602d2123">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="https://fleetcare.prattwhitney.com/">https://fleetcare.prattwhitney.com/</a>. You may view this service information at
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call (781) 238-7759. It is
also available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0447.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0447; 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, 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: Mark Taylor, Aviation Safety Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
(781) 238-7229; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2bf938099dca6938b9e9d80b2949393dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94d9f5e6ffbac0f5edf8fbe6d4f2f5f5baf3fbe2">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 PW1519G, PW1521G,
PW1521G-3, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, PW1525G-3, PW1919G,
PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A model turbofan engines. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2021 (86 FR 29707).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks in the HPC rotor shaft that
resulted in vibration and subsequent IFSDs and
[[Page 46112]]
UERs. The manufacturer determined that the threads on the HPC rotor
shaft were not optimized for load distribution, which resulted in
vibration stresses. During one occurrence, oil was released at the
high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk bore location. The manufacturer
redesigned the HPC front hub and HPC rotor shaft for increased
durability and decreased vibration stress. The redesigned HPC front hub
is made from nickel to help with corrosion resistance. The threads on
the HPC rotor shaft were also redesigned to help distribute the load on
the threads and decrease vibration stress. In the NPRM, the FAA
proposed to require removal and replacement of the HPC front hub and
HPC rotor shaft. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from one commenter, the Air Line Pilots
Association, International (ALPA). ALPA supported the NPRM without
change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-A-
72-00-0154-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated May 7, 2021 (PW1000G-A-72-
00-0154-00A-930A-D), and Pratt & Whitney SB PW1000G-A-72-00-0101-00B-
930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated May 7, 2021 (SB PW1000G-A-72-00-0101-00B-
930A-D). These SBs describe procedures for removing and replacing the
HPC front hub and HPC rotor shaft.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 88 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 HPC front hub and HPC rotor 25.75 work-hours x $85 $120,090 $122,278.75 $10,760,530
shaft. per hour = $2,188.75.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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:
2021-17-09 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-21692; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0447; Project Identifier AD-2021-00131-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 22,
2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521G-3,
PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, PW1525G-3, PW1919G, PW1921G,
PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A model turbofan engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the high-pressure
compressor (HPC) rotor shaft that resulted in in-flight shutdowns
and unscheduled engine removals. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent cracking of the HPC rotor shaft. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in release of a high-pressure turbine
disk, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Action
At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this
AD, remove HPC front hub, part number (P/N) 30G1910 or 30G3210, and
HPC rotor shaft, P/N 30G1854, 30G3109, 30G4995, 30G4953, or 31G0014,
from service and replace each part with a part eligible for
installation.
[[Page 46113]]
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine case flanges, except for
the following, which do not constitute an engine shop visit:
(i) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation without subsequent maintenance does not constitute an
engine shop visit.
(ii) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purpose of
replacing the fan without subsequent maintenance does not constitute
an engine shop visit.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is:
(i) For an HPC front hub: any HPC front hub with a P/N other
than P/N 30G1910 or 30G3210; and
(ii) For an HPC rotor shaft: any HPC rotor shaft with a P/N
other than P/N 30G1854, 30G3109, 30G4995, 30G4953, or 31G0014.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, ECO 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in Related Information. You may email your request to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d6c6368006c69006c60626e6d4b4c4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85c4cbc0a8c4c1a8c4c8cac6c5e3e4e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Mark Taylor,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7229; fax: (781) 238-7199;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#377a56455c1963564e5b58457751565619505841"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d103c2f3673093c2431322f1d3b3c3c733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on August 12, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-17654 Filed 8-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 18, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.