[Federal Register: October 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 190)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 58824-58826]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc04-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19170; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-18-AD;
Amendment 39-13809; AD 2004-20-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-36A and
PT6B-36B Turboshaft 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
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PT6B-36A and PT6B-36B turboshaft engines
with compressor rear hubs, part number (P/N) 3018111 installed. This AD
requires reviewing, and correcting if necessary the critical part
record for compressor rear hubs, P/N 3018111. This AD also requires
removing compressor rear hubs from service that exceed the published
part life limit, before further flight. This AD results from the
discovery of a compressor rear hub, P/N 3018111, that exceeded the
published life limit. This occurred because the operator used an
incorrect life limit calculation contained in a PWC Service Bulletin.
We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the compressor
rear hub and damage to the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 18, 2004. The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulations as of October 18, 2004.
We must receive any comments on this AD by November 30, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD.
[[Page 58825]]
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You can get the service information identified in this AD from
Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada
J4G1A1. This information may be examined at the Docket Management
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001, on the internet
at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
You may examine the comments on this AD in the AD docket on the
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
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: Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, recently notified us that an unsafe condition
might exist on PWC PT6B-36A and PT6B-36B turboshaft engines. Transport
Canada advises that a compressor rear hub, P/N 3018111, was discovered
that exceeded the published life limit. This occurred because the
operator used an incorrect life limit calculation. PWC investigated and
confirmed that PWC Service Bulletin (SB) No. 11002, Original issue-
through-Revision 7, incorrectly listed the Flight Count Factor (FCF) of
1 for compressor rear hubs, P/N 3018111. The correct FCF for that part
is 3.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of PWC SB No.
11002, Revision 8, dated June 11, 2003, that provides the service life
limit and correct FCF for compressor rear hubs P/N 3018111. Transport
Canada classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD CF-
2003-16, dated June 27, 2003, to ensure the airworthiness of these
PT6B-36A and PT6B-36B turboshaft engines in Canada.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
These PWC PT6B-36A and PT6B-36B turboshaft engines are manufactured
in Canada and 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. Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport
Canada kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have
examined the findings of Transport Canada, 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.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other PWC PT6B-36A and PT6B-36B turboshaft engines of the
same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure
of the compressor rear hub and damage to the airplane. This AD requires
reviewing, and correcting if necessary the critical part record for
compressor rear hubs, P/N 3018111. This AD also requires removing
compressor rear hubs from service that exceed the published part life
limit, before further flight. You must use the service information
described previously to perform the actions required by this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Docket Management System (DMS)
We have implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, we post new AD actions on the DMS
and assign a DMS docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding Directorate identifier. The DMS docket No. is in the form
``Docket No. FAA-200X-XXXXX.'' Each DMS docket also lists the
Directorate identifier (``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for
searching purposes.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2004-19170;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-18-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.
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 with you. You can 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 docket that contains the AD, any comments
received, and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
[[Page 58826]]
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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 the 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. Will 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 AD 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA
amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2004-20-04 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-13809. Docket No.
FAA-2004-19170; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-18-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective October 18, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PT6B-36A and
PT6B-36B turboshaft engines with compressor rear hubs, part number
(P/N) 3018111 installed. These engines are installed on, but not
limited to, Sikorsky S-76B helicopters.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from results from the discovery of a
compressor rear hub, P/N 3018111, that exceeded the published life
limit. This occurred because the operator used an incorrect life
limit calculation contained in a PWC Service Bulletin. We are
issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the compressor
rear hub and damage to the helicopter.
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) Within 30 days or at the next engine shop visit, whichever
occurs first after the effective date of this AD, do the following:
(1) Using the Flight Count Factor of 3, review and correct the
critical part record for compressor rear hubs, P/N 3018111. Use
paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of PWC Service
Bulletin (SB) No. PT6B-72-11002, Revision 8, dated June 11, 2003, to
do this.
(2) Remove the compressor rear hub from service before further
flight, if its life limit is found to be at or higher than the
published life limit in PWC SB No. PT6B-72-11002, Revision 8, dated
June 11, 2003.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) 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.
Special Flight Permits
(h) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are limiting the special flight
permits for this AD by allowing the engine to operate an additional
25 cycles-in-service or 25 operating hours, whichever occurs first,
for moving the helicopter to a location where the requirements of
this AD can be done.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin No.
PT6B-72-11002, Revision 8, dated June 11, 2003, to perform the
reviews and corrections required by this AD. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this
service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. You can get a copy from Pratt & Whitney Canada, 1000 Marie-
Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada J4G1A1. You may review copies at
the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington,
DC 20590-001, on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information
on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_ register/code--of--
federal-- regulations/ibr--locations.html.
Related Information
(j) Transport Canada airworthiness directive CF-2003-16, dated
June 27, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 24, 2004.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-21913 Filed 9-30-04; 8:45 am]
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