[Federal Register: December 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 237)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 68802-68804]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10de03-19]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NE-35-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Models PW123,
PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127,
PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G Turboprop Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) models PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D,
PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and
PW127G turboprop engines. This proposed AD would require initial and
repetitive gap inspections of the bypass valve cover, on certain part
number (P/N) mechanical fuel controls (MFCs), and replacement of those
MFCs as mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections.
This proposed AD is prompted by sixteen reports of loss of engine
throttle response and overspeed, eight of which resulted in in-flight
shutdown. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of throttle response
and overspeed, resulting in engine in-flight shutdown.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by February 9,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
[sbull] By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.
2003-NE-35-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
[sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055. [sbull] By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Honeywell Engines & Systems, Technical Publications Department,
111 South 34th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034; telephone (602) 365-
5535; fax (602) 365-5577.
You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7178; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-35-AD'' in the
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those
comments.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www
.plainlanguage.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness authority for Canada,
recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on PWC
models PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B,
PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G turboprop engines. Transport
Canada advises that sixteen reports of loss of engine throttle response
and overspeed have been received, eight of which resulted in in-flight
shutdown. Investigation by the manufacturer revealed that the cause of
this problem is dislodgement of the outer lip of the mechanical fuel
control bypass valve diaphragm. The dislodgement is caused by
inadequate preload applied to the bypass valve diaphragm outer lip
during the assembly of the MFC.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Honeywell
Service Information Bulletin (SIB) No. 82, dated September 14, 2001,
that describes procedures for detecting dislodgement of the outer lip
of the MFC bypass valve diaphragm, by performing gap inspections of the
bypass valve cover on affected MFCs.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Manufacturer's Service
Information
Although Honeywell SIB No. 82, dated September 14, 2001, suggests
the gap inspections be done periodically at the aircraft ``A'' check,
this proposal requires initial gap inspections within 500 hours time-
in-service (TIS) after the effective date of the proposed AD, and
repetitive gap inspections at intervals of 1,500 hours TIS. This
proposal also requires replacement of the MFC with an MFC that has an
improved design bypass valve diaphragm.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These PWC models PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF,
PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G turboprop
engines, manufactured in Canada, are type-certificated for operation in
the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral
airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness
agreement,
[[Page 68803]]
Transport Canada has kept us informed of the situation described above.
We have examined Transport Canada's findings, reviewed all available
information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of
this type design that are certificated for operation in the United
States. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require:
[sbull] Initial gap inspection of the bypass valve cover on
affected MFCs, within 500 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of the proposed AD.
[sbull] Repetitive gap inspections of the bypass valve cover on
affected MFCs, at intervals of 1,500 hours TIS.
[sbull] Replacement of the affected MFC with an MFC that has an
improved design bypass valve diaphragm, within 4,500 hours-in-service
or 24 months from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first, as mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections of
the proposed AD.
The proposed AD would require you to use the service information
described previously to perform the inspections.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR
47998, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products,
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in
future AD actions.
Costs of Compliance
There are approximately 2,800 PWC models PW123, PW123B, PW123C,
PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F,
and PW127G turboprop engines of the affected design in the worldwide
fleet. We estimate that 473 engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate that
it would take about 0.1 work hour per engine to perform the proposed
inspection, about 1 work hour per engine to replace the MFC during
maintenance, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour.
Required parts would cost approximately $72,000 per engine. Based on
these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S.
operators to be $34,089,819. The manufacturer has stated that it may
provide the new design MFCs at no cost to operators, and that if the
MFC is replaced at shop visit, no additional labor costs will be
incurred.
Regulatory Findings
We have 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-35-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Pratt & Whitney Canada: Docket No. 2003-NE-35-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness
directive (AD) action by February 9, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) models
PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B,
PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G turboprop engines, with
mechanical fuel controls (MFCs), part numbers (P/Ns) 3244841-21,
3244853-17, 3244855-15, 3244857-14, 3244858-23, 3244871-5, 3244873-
4, and 3244874-4, installed. These engines are installed on, but not
limited to, Aerospatiale ATR 42 and ATR 72, BAE Systems (Operations)
Limited ATP, Bombardier Inc. DHC-8-200 series, DHC-8-300 series, CL-
215T, and CL-415, Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA) C-295,
Fokker Aircraft B.V. F27 Mark 050, and Mark 060 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is prompted by sixteen reports of loss of engine
throttle response and overspeed, eight of which resulted in in-
flight shutdown. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of throttle
response and overspeed, resulting in engine in-flight shutdown.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Initial Gap Inspection
(f) Within 500 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective
date of the AD, perform a gap inspection between the MFC bypass
valve cover and the MFC main body, and disposition the MFC. Follow
paragraphs 5.0 through 5.3 of Honeywell Service Information Bulletin
(SIB) No. 82, dated September 14, 2001, to do the inspection and MFC
disposition.
Repetitive Gap Inspections
(g) At intervals of 1,500 hours TIS from the last gap
inspection, perform repetitive gap inspections between the MFC
bypass valve cover and the MFC main body and disposition the MFC.
Follow paragraphs 5.0 through 5.3 of Honeywell SIB No. 82, dated
September 14, 2001, to do the inspection and MFC disposition.
Mandatory Terminating Action
(h) Within 4,500 hours TIS or 24 months from the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the MFC with an MFC not
having a P/N listed in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(i) Replacement of the MFC with an MFC whose P/N is not listed
in paragraph (c) of this AD constitutes mandatory terminating action
to the repetitive inspection requirements specified in paragraph (g)
of this AD. Information on new design replacement MFCs can be found
in PWC Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-21562, Revision 2, dated
December 7, 2000.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(j) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Honeywell Service Information Bulletin No. 82,
dated September 14, 2001, to perform the inspections required
[[Page 68804]]
by this AD. Approval of incorporation by reference from the Office
of the Federal Register is pending.
Related Information
(l) Transport Canada airworthiness directive CF-2002-34, dated
July 15, 2002, and Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-
21669, dated October 2, 2001, also address the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 4, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30587 Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P