[Federal Register: July 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 135)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 42356-42358]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jy04-12]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 42356]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 92-ANE-15-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 series turbofan engines.
That AD currently requires installation of high pressure turbine (HPT)
containment hardware on JT8D-217C and -219 engines. That AD also
currently requires replacing LPT-to-exhaust case bolts and nuts with
improved containment hardware on JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219
engines. This proposed AD would require installation of improved HPT
containment hardware on JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 engines.
This proposed AD results from four reports of uncontained HPT failures
of JT8D-200 series engines, since AD 99-22-14 was issued. We are
proposing this AD to prevent uncontained HPT events resulting from HPT
shaft fractures.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by September
13, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 92-ANE-15-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
By fax: (781) 238-7055.
By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone
(860) 565-7700; fax (860) 565-1605.
You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Lardie, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781)
238-7189; 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. 92-ANE-15-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
On October 21, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-22-14, Amendment 39-11392
(64 FR 58328, October 29, 1999). That AD requires installation of HPT
containment hardware on JT8D-217C and -219 engines. That AD also
requires replacing LPT-to-exhaust case bolts and nuts with improved
containment hardware on JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 engines.
That AD was the result of reports of uncontained HPT events resulting
from HPT shaft fractures and LPT flange separations resulting from LPT
blade failures. That condition, if not corrected, could result in
uncontained HPT events resulting from HPT shaft fractures and LPT
flange separations resulting from LPT blade failures.
Actions After AD 99-22-14 was Issued
After AD 99-22-14 was issued, we received four reports of
uncontained HPT shaft fractures on JT8D-200 series engines. During one
of these failures on a JT8D-217A engine, parts escaped forward of the
old configuration HPT containment shield. This event demonstrates that
the old configuration HPT containment shield is insufficient for
preventing uncontained engine failures. AD 99-22-14 did not require
JT8D-209, -217, and -217A engines to install the improved HPT
containment shields.
Also, after that AD was issued, PW determined that the LPT-to-
exhaust case bolts and nuts introduced by AD 99-22-14 have a higher
failure rate than the previous bolt and nut configuration. We are
preparing a separate proposed AD to address the replacement of that
hardware, as recommended in a recently issued PW SB. This proposal no
longer requires the replacement of LPT-to-exhaust case bolts and nuts
with the bolts and nuts required by AD 99-22-14.
Also, after that AD was issued, we discovered that the requirements
from superseded AD 93-23-10, Amendment 39-8746, to install HPT
containment shields on JT8D-209, -217, and -217A engines, were
inadvertently omitted from AD 99-22-14.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Pratt &
Whitney Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A6346, Revision 3, dated May
21, 2004, which
[[Page 42357]]
describes the installation of improved HPT containment hardware on
JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 engines.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Manufacturer's Service
Information
Although Pratt & Whitney ASB No. A6346, Revision 3, dated May 21,
2004, has an installation termination date of December 31, 2004, for
all the affected engine models, this proposed AD would require the
installation on JT8D-209, -217, and -217A engines no later than
December 31, 2007.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require the installation of improved HPT containment hardware at
the following:
For JT8D-209, -217, and -217A engines, at the next engine
shop visit after the effective date of this proposed AD, but no later
than December 31, 2007; and
For JT8D-217C and -219 engines, at the next engine shop
visit after the effective date of this AD, but no later than December
31, 2004.
The proposed AD would require that you do these actions using the
service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 2,345 PW JT8D-200 series turbofan engines of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 1,143 engines
are installed on airplanes of U.S. registry, and that 280 engines would
be affected by this proposed AD. We estimate that 80% of the -217C and
-219 engines already have the improved HPT containment hardware
installed. We also estimate that no additional labor costs will be
incurred when these parts are installed during engine shop visit.
Required parts would cost about $19,991 per engine. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S.
operators to be $5,597,480.
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. 92-ANE-15-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 removing Amendment 39-11392 (64 FR
58328, October 29, 1999) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
to read as follows:
Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. 92-ANE-15-AD. Supersedes AD 99-22-14,
Amendment 39-11392.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by September
13, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 99-22-14, Amendment 39-11392.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-209, -217, -
217A, -217C, and -219 turbofan engines. These engines are installed
on, but not limited to, Boeing 727 series and MD-80 series
airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from four reports of uncontained HPT
failures of JT8D-200 series engines, since AD 99-22-14 was issued.
We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained HPT events resulting
from HPT shaft fractures.
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.
(f) Install the improved high pressure turbine (HPT) containment
hardware. Use the applicable compliance schedule in the following
Table 1, and Paragraphs 1. through 3.G. of Accomplishment
Instructions of PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. JT8D A6346,
dated September 10, 1998, or Revision 1, dated April 23, 1999, or
Revision 2, dated December 1, 1999, or Revision 3, dated May 21,
2004.
Table 1.--Compliance Schedule
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For engine models Install improved HPT containment hardware
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JT8D-217C and -219........... At the next engine shop visit after the
effective date of this AD, but no later
than December 31, 2004.
JT8D-209, -217, and -217A.... At the next engine shop visit after the
effective date of this AD, but no later
than December 31, 2007.
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Definition
(g) For the purpose of this AD, an engine shop visit is defined
as engine maintenance that involves the separation of the J and K
flanges.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(h) 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
(i) None.
Related Information
(j) None.
[[Page 42358]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 7, 2004.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-16006 Filed 7-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P