[Federal Register: August 23, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 163)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49335-49337]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23au06-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24034; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-05-AD;
Amendment 39-14729; AD 2006-17-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney PW4077D, PW4084D,
PW4090, and PW4090-3 Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan
engines that were reassembled with certain previously used high
pressure compressor (HPC) exit brush seal assembly parts and certain
new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air seal inner lands. This AD
requires replacing the HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs with
new brush seal packs, or replacing the HPC exit brush seal assembly
with a new HPC exit brush seal assembly. This AD results from a report
of oil leaking into the high pressure turbine (HPT) interstage cavity
and igniting, leading to an engine case penetration and engine in-
flight shutdown. Although liberated engine parts did not penetrate the
engine nacelle, we are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained engine
failure, damage to the airplane, and injury to passengers.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 27, 2006. The Director of
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the regulations as of September 27, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this ad
from Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone
(860) 565-8770; fax (860) 565-4503.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
or in Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Antonio Cancelliere, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
telephone (781) 238-7751; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies
to Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan
engines that were reassembled with certain previously used HPC exit
brush seal assembly parts and certain new or refurbished HPC exit
diffuser air seal
[[Page 49336]]
inner lands. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on
April 19, 2006 (71 FR 20042). That action proposed to require replacing
the HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs with new brush seal
packs, or replacing the HPC exit brush seal assembly with a new HPC
exit brush seal assembly.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management
Facility Docket Office 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.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Request to More Accurately Describe the Unsafe Condition
The Boeing Company requests that we more accurately describe the
unsafe condition. They propose that we state the unsafe condition as
``This AD results from a report of oil leaking into the high pressure
turbine (HPT) interstage cavity and igniting, leading to an engine case
penetration and engine in-flight shutdown. Although liberated engine
parts did not penetrate the engine nacelle, we are proposing this AD to
prevent uncontained engine failure, damage to the airplane, and injury
to passengers.''
We agree and adopted the suggested language.
Request for Clarification
Japan Airlines requests clarification of the compliance on whether
``cycles-since-last-overhaul (CSLO)'' applies to the engine's last shop
visit or if it applies to overhaul of the HPC diffuser assembly only.
We agree we need to clarify the compliance. The CSLO applies to
overhaul of the HPC diffuser assembly only. As a result of the comment,
we reworded compliance paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) to read as follows:
``(1) By 3,000 cycles-in-service (CIS) since a used HPC exit inner
brush seal pack and a new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air seal
land were installed in the engine, or by March 31, 2007, whichever
occurs later; however
(2) If on March 31, 2007, the used HPC exit inner brush seal pack
coupled with a new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air seal inner land
assembly has not accumulated 3,000 CIS, then by 3,000 CIS, or December
31, 2008, whichever occurs first.''
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 76 PW PW4077D, PW4084D,
PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 9 work-hours per
engine to perform the parts replacement, and that the average labor
rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $100,017 per
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to
U.S. operators to be $7,656,012.
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.
We are 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
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
2006-17-08 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-14729. Docket No. FAA-2006-
24034; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-05-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 27, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4077D, PW4084D,
PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines that were:
(1) Reassembled with a previously used high pressure compressor
(HPC) exit inner brush seal pack, part number (P/N) 50J894-01; and
(2) Reassembled with a new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air
seal inner land, P/N 55H869.
(d) These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing
777 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from a report of oil leaking into the high
pressure turbine (HPT) interstage cavity and igniting, leading to an
engine case penetration and engine in-flight shutdown. Although
liberated engine parts did not penetrate the engine nacelle, we are
[[Page 49337]]
issuing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure, damage to the
airplane, and injury to passengers.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed at the following compliance times, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Replace the HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs with
new HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs, or replace the HPC
exit brush seal assembly with a new HPC exit brush seal assembly as
follows:
(1) By 3,000 cycles-in-service (CIS) since a used HPC exit inner
brush seal pack and a new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air seal
land were installed in the engine, or by March 31, 2007, whichever
occurs later; however,
(2) If on March 31, 2007, the used HPC exit inner brush seal
pack coupled with a new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air seal
inner land assembly has not accumulated 3,000 CIS, then by 3,000
CIS, or December 31, 2008, whichever occurs first.
(h) Use the Accomplishment Instructions of PW Service Bulletin
No. PW4G-112-A72-280, Revision 1, dated March 21, 2006, to do the
inner and outer brush pack replacements.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) 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.
Related Information
(j) None.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin No. PW4G-112-
A72-280, Revision 1, dated March 21, 2006, to perform the
replacements 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.
Contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108;
telephone (860) 565-8770; fax (860) 565-4503, for a copy of this
service information for a copy of this service information. You may
review copies at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 14, 2006.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-13909 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am]
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