Proposed Rule2022-22761
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
October 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521G-3, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-3 model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an uncommanded dual engine shutdown upon landing, resulting in compromised braking capability due to the loss of engine power and hydraulic systems. This proposed AD would require replacement of electronic engine control (EEC) full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software with updated software. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 205 (Tuesday, October 25, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 25, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64397-64399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22761]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1306; Project Identifier AD-2022-01040-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521G-3, PW1521GA,
PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-3 model turbofan engines. This
proposed AD was prompted by an uncommanded dual engine shutdown upon
landing, resulting in compromised braking capability due to the loss of
engine power and hydraulic systems. This proposed AD would require
[[Page 64398]]
replacement of electronic engine control (EEC) full authority digital
engine control (FADEC) software with updated software. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 9,
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="http://regulations.gov">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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1306; 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 NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Taylor, Aviation Safety Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
(781) 238-7229; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#de93bfacb5f08abfa7b2b1ac9eb8bfbff0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5e8c4d7ce8bf1c4dcc9cad7e5c3c4c48bc2cad3">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-1306; Project Identifier
AD-2022-01040-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 proposal 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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Mark
Taylor, 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.
Background
The FAA was notified of an airplane that experienced an uncommanded
dual engine shutdown upon landing, resulting in compromised braking
capability due to the loss of engine power and hydraulic systems. A
subsequent investigation determined that the sequence of the auto-
throttle increasing throttle to maintain Mach number, immediately
followed by pilot command to decrease throttle to idle, caused a
transient disagreement between actual and commanded thrust. This
disagreement triggered the thrust control malfunction (TCM) detection
logic and resulted in dual engine shutdown once the weight on wheels
signal was activated upon landing. The installed EEC FADEC software
version latches the fault and allows the engine to continue operation
as commanded but shuts down the engine upon landing. The manufacturer
identified the situations that could trigger the TCM logic erroneously
and updated the EEC FADEC software. This software update makes
corrective improvements to the TCM logic, including revised criteria
for triggering the TCM logic and establishing criteria that permit the
TCM logic to unlatch during flight. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in runway excursion.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-A-73-00-0054-00A-
930A-D, Issue No. 002, dated June 20, 2022. This service information
specifies procedures for replacing or modifying the EEC to incorporate
FADEC software version V2.11.14.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require removal from service of certain EEC
FADEC software versions and replacement with a software version
eligible for installation.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 147 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Upgrade EEC FADEC Software............ 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $24,990
hour = $170.
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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.
[[Page 64399]]
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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:
Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. FAA-2022-1306; Project Identifier AD-
2022-01040-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 9, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521G-3,
PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-3 model turbofan
engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7600, Engine
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an uncommanded dual engine shutdown upon
landing, resulting in compromised braking capability due to the loss
of engine power and hydraulic systems. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent compromised braking capability due to uncommanded dual
engine shutdown upon landing. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in runway excursion.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
For affected engines with installed electronic engine control
(EEC) full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software version
earlier than V2.11.14.1, within 12 months after the effective date
of this AD, remove the EEC FADEC software and replace with EEC FADEC
software version eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, ``EEC FADEC software version
eligible for installation'' is EEC FADEC software version V2.11.14.1
or later.
(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#8bcac5cea6cacfa6cac6c4c8cbedeaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99d8d7dcb4d8ddb4d8d4d6dad9fff8f8b7fef6ef">[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; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#064b67746d2852677f6a69744660676728616970"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fab79b8891d4ae9b83969588ba9c9b9bd49d958c">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on October 14, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-22761 Filed 10-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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