Rule2022-13088
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
June 17, 2022
Effective
July 5, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4062 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing quality escape due to insufficient cooling of the low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 5 air seal resulting in a reduction of the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) life limit. This AD requires removal and replacement of the LPT stage 5 air seal with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36390-36392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13088]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0589; Project Identifier AD-2022-00376-E;
Amendment 39-22084; AD 2022-12-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4062 model turbofan engines.
This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing quality escape due
to insufficient cooling of the low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 5 air
seal resulting in a reduction of the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) life
limit. This AD requires removal and replacement of the LPT stage 5 air
seal with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 5, 2022.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 1, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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-2022-0589; 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 street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238-7655; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#492a283b262567272e3c302c27092f2828672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f09391829f9cde9e978589959eb0969191de979f86">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA received a report from the manufacturer of a quality
escape, resulting in a life reduction of the LPT stage 5 air seal
installed on certain PW4062 model turbofan engines. Subsequent
investigation by the manufacturer revealed that insufficient cooling
after heat treatment resulted in non-conformance to the design
specifications. This non-conformance lowers the LCF capability in a
section of the LPT stage 5 air seal that already has an LCF life limit,
resulting in a reduction in the LCF life limit from 15,000 cycles to
8,240 cycles. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the
uncontained release of the LPT stage 5 air seal, damage to the engine,
and damage to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in
other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires removal and replacement of the LPT stage 5 air
seal.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
The FAA has found the risk to the flying public justifies waiving
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because no domestic
operators use this product. It is unlikely that the FAA will receive
any adverse comments or useful information about this AD from any U.S.
operator. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment
are unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for
the foregoing reason, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30
days.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0589; Project Identifier AD-
2022-00376-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI
[[Page 36391]]
should be sent to Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch,
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that
the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be
placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 0 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Remove and replace LPT stage 5 air 49 work-hours x $85 per $165,270 $169,435 $0
seal. hour = $4,165.
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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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
2022-12-12 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-22084; Docket No.
FAA-2022-0589; Project Identifier AD-2022-00376-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 5, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4062 model
turbofan engines with an installed low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage
5 air seal, part number (P/N) 50N324, having a serial number (S/N)
listed in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD, installed.
[[Page 36392]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17JN22.033
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing quality
escape due to insufficient cooling of the LPT stage 5 air seal
resulting in a reduction of the life of the low-cycle fatigue (LCF)
life limit. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT
stage 5 air seal. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in the uncontained release of the LPT stage 5 air seal,
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 Actions
At the next piece-part exposure, or before the LPT stage 5 air
seal accumulates 8,240 cycles since new, whichever occurs first
after the effective date of this AD, remove the LPT stage 5 air seal
from service and replace it with a part eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' is when
an LPT stage 5 air seal has been disassembled from the engine.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is an LPT stage 5 air seal, P/N 50N324, with an S/N
not listed in Table 1 to Paragraph (c) of this AD.
(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 paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9cddd2d9b1ddd8b1ddd1d3dfdcfafdfdb2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5918171c74181d741814161a193f3838773e362f">[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 Carol Nguyen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7655; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dab9bba8b5b6f4b4bdafa3bfb49abcbbbbf4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d4b7b5a6bbb8fabab3a1adb1ba94b2b5b5fab3bba2">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on June 14, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-13088 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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