Proposed Rule2023-16722
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Engines
Primary source
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Published
August 8, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-02-10, which applies to certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines. AD 2018-02-10 requires performing repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) to detect cracks in the outer diffuser case (ODC), removal of any ODC that fails inspection, and requires updating the mandatory inspections in the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). Since the FAA issued AD 2018-02-10, PW developed a modification to reduce the susceptibility of ODC cracking. This proposed AD would retain the ALS update requirement from AD 2018-02-10, would require replacing certain ODC part numbers with parts eligible for installation, would expand the applicability to all ODC part numbers, and would adjust the compliance threshold of the FPIs of the ODC. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 151 (Tuesday, August 8, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 8, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53406-53409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16722]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1638; Project Identifier AD-2022-00466-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2018-02-10, which applies to certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW)
Model PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3
engines. AD 2018-02-10 requires performing repetitive fluorescent
penetrant inspections (FPIs) to detect cracks in the outer diffuser
case (ODC), removal of any ODC that fails inspection, and requires
updating the mandatory inspections in the Airworthiness Limitations
Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).
Since the FAA issued AD 2018-02-10, PW developed a modification to
reduce the susceptibility of ODC cracking. This proposed AD would
retain the ALS update requirement from AD 2018-02-10, would require
replacing certain ODC part numbers with parts eligible for
installation, would expand the applicability to all ODC part numbers,
and would adjust the compliance threshold of the FPIs of the ODC. 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 September
22, 2023.
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-2023-1638; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Pratt & Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118;
phone: (860) 565-0140; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90f8f5fce0a2a4d0e0e2f1e4e4e7f8f9e4fef5e9bef3fffd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddb5b8b1adefe99dadafbca9a9aab5b4a9b3b8a4f3beb2b0">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://connect.prattwhitney.com">connect.prattwhitney.com</a>.
<bullet> 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 (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(781) 238-7655; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c2f2d3e232062222b393529220c2a2d2d622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="086b697a676426666f7d716d66486e6969266f677e">[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-2023-1638; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00466-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
the 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 Carol
Nguyen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198. 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 issued AD 2018-02-10, Amendment 39-19163 (83 FR 2896,
January 22, 2018), (AD 2018-02-10), for PW Model PW4074, PW4074D,
PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines with ODC part
number (P/N) 50J775 or P/N 50J930, installed. AD 2018-02-10 was
prompted by the discovery of multiple cracked ODCs. AD 2018-02-10
requires initial and repetitive FPIs of the ODC to detect cracks, and
depending on the results of the FPI, replacement of any ODC that fails
inspection. Also, AD 2018-02-10 requires updating the
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mandatory inspections in the ALS of the ICA to include piece-part
inspections. The agency issued AD 2018-02-10 to prevent failure of the
ODC.
Actions Since AD 2018-02-10 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2018-02-10, PW determined that cracks on
the ODC originated due to high stress in the area between Tt3 boss and
thermocouple bracket boss. PW developed a modification to improve the
surface area between Tt3 boss and thermocouple bracket boss to reduce
the ODC's susceptibility to cracking.
Consequently, the FAA determined that it is necessary to expand the
applicability to all ODC P/Ns, adjust the initial FPI threshold for the
ODC to improve the inspection program, and to require certain ODCs to
be replaced with an ODC that has been modified to lower the stresses in
the area between Tt3 boss and thermocouple bracket boss. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the ODC,
uncontained ODC release, damage to the engine, and damage to the
airplane.
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 Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-112-A72-347,
Revision 4, dated September 1, 2022. This ASB provides guidance on
performing FPIs on certain bosses of the ODC. This service information
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified
in ADDRESSES.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW4G-112-72-357, dated
February 25, 2019. This SB provides procedures to modify and re-
identify ODC assemblies to lower the stresses in the area between the
Tt3 boss and the thermocouple bracket boss.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2018-02-
10. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing
airplane maintenance manual or ICA and your existing approved
maintenance program, as applicable, to include piece-part inspections
of the ODC, would expand the applicability to include all engines,
would require initial and repetitive FPIs, and depending on the results
of the FPI, would require removal or re-inspection of the ODC. This
proposed AD would also require replacement of certain ODCs with a part
eligible for installation at next piece-part exposure.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 108 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA has
no way to determine the number of operators that will replace the ODC
with a modified ODC or a zero-time ODC. As a result, the total cost on
U.S. operators for these actions is not estimated.
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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Perform high sensitivity FPI of the 10 work-hours x $85 per $0 $850 $91,800
ODC T3 thermocouple probe boss. hour = $850.
Revise the ALS........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 9,180
hour = $85.
Replacement of ODC with modified ODC.. 3 work-hours x $85 per 12,000 12,255 ..............
hour = $255.
Replacement of ODC with zero-time ODC. 3 work-hours x $85 per 2,300,000 2,300,255 ..............
hour = $255.
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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
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 that the 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:
[[Page 53408]]
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2018-02-10, Amendment 39-19163 (83
FR 2896, January 22, 2018); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Pratt & Whitney Division: Docket No. FAA-2023-1638; Project
Identifier AD-2022-00466-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by September 22, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2018-02-10, Amendment 39-19163 (83 FR 2896,
January 22, 2018).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4074,
PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine
Combustion Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the discovery of multiple cracked outer
diffuser cases (ODCs). We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the ODC. This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure
of the ODC, 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
(1) Within the compliance times specified in paragraphs
(g)(1)(i) though (iii) of this AD, perform an initial high
sensitivity fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the ODC T3
thermocouple probe boss (Tt3 boss) for crack indications in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 1.F. of
Part A or paragraph 1.B. of Part B, as applicable, of PW Alert
Service Bulletin PW4G-112-A72-347, Revision 4, dated September 1,
2022 (ASB PW4G-112-A72-347, Rev 4).
(i) For an ODC that has accumulated less than 12,000 cycles
since new (CSN) with no prior high sensitivity FPI of the ODC Tt3
boss, perform the high sensitivity FPI before accumulating 9,200 CSN
or within 1,000 flight cycles (FCs), after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later.
(ii) For an ODC with unknown CSN or an ODC that has accumulated
12,000 CSN or more with no prior high sensitivity FPI of the ODC Tt3
boss, perform the high sensitivity FPI before accumulating 13,000
CSN or within 1,000 FCs, after February 26, 2018 (the effective date
of AD 2018-02-10), whichever occurs later.
(iii) For an ODC that has undergone a high sensitivity FPI of
the ODC Tt3 boss prior to the effective date of this AD that
resulted in no crack indication, perform the high sensitivity FPI
before accumulating 2,000 FCs since performance of the last FPI or
during the next engine shop visit, whichever occurs first.
(iv) For an ODC that has undergone a high sensitivity FPI of the
ODC Tt3 boss prior to the effective date of this AD that resulted in
an indication of a crack, perform the actions required by paragraphs
(g)(3)(i) through (iii) of this AD, as applicable.
(2) Thereafter, repeat the high sensitivity FPI of the ODC Tt3
boss at each engine shop visit or before exceeding 2,000 FCs from
the last high sensitivity FPI of the ODC Tt3 boss, whichever occurs
first, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraphs 1.F. of Part A or paragraph 1.B. of Part B, as
applicable, of ASB PW4G-112-A72-347, Rev 4.
(3) If, during any inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) or
(2) of this AD, there is any crack indication, perform the actions
specified in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) through (iii) of this AD.
(i) For engines installed on an aircraft, repeat the high
sensitivity FPI or remove the ODC from service in accordance with
the actions and compliance times specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part A, paragraphs 1.G. and 1.H., of ASB PW4G-112-A72-
347, Rev 4.
(ii) For engines not installed on an aircraft, repeat the high
sensitivity FPI or remove the ODC from service in accordance with
the actions and compliance times specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part B, paragraphs 1.C. and 1.D., of PW ASB PW4G-112-
A72-347, Rev 4.
(iii) For engines at an engine shop visit, before further
flight, remove the ODC from service.
(4) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the existing engine
maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness and
the existing approved maintenance program, as applicable, to include
the piece-part inspections of the ODC as defined in Table 1 to
paragraph (g)(4) of this AD.
Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(4)--Addition to ALS
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Cleaning, inspection and
Description Part No. repair (CIR) manual CIR manual CIR manual
section inspection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case, Diffuser, Outer......... All.............. 72-41-13 Inspection/Check P/N 51A750.
(I/C-02).
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(5) For engines with ODC part number (P/N) 50J775 or 50J930
installed, at the next piece-part exposure after the effective date
of this AD, replace the ODC with a part eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is any
time the ``M'' flange is separated.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``piece-part exposure'' is
when the ODC is removed from the engine and fully disassembled.
(3) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is an ODC with P/N 50J775-001, 50J775-002, 50J930-
001, or 50J930-002.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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#abeae5ee86eaef86eae6e4e8ebcdcaca85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3e2ede68ee2e78ee2eeece0e3c5c2c28dc4ccd5">[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, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7655; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ed8e8c9f8281c3838a98948883ad8b8c8cc38a829b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="36555744595a185851434f53587650575718515940">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW4G-112-A72-347,
Revision 4, dated September 1, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt
& Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone:
(800) 565-0140; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#147c7178642620546466756060637c7d607a716d3a777b79"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="741c1118044640340406150000031c1d001a110d5a171b19">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://connect.prattwhitney.com">connect.prattwhitney.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call (781) 238-7759.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the
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National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information
on the availability of this material at NARA, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e48296ca8d8a97948187908d8b8aa48a859685ca838b92"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ceafea2e5e2fffce9eff8e5e3e2cce2edfeeda2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on July 21, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-16722 Filed 8-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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