[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 162 (Monday, August 23, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51659-51661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20714]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0246; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-16-AD;
Amendment 39-16391; AD 2010-17-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. PW617F-E
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines.
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the
Fuel Oil Heat Exchanger (FOHE) on that engine had worn through the
housing seat, allowing unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the
Fuel Metering Unit (FMU), resulting in fuel flow drop and subsequent
power reduction.
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) No. PW600-72-A66019 to inspect and replace any discrepant
valve with the same type new valve. The inspection results confirmed
that failure of a worn through poppet is dormant and it can affect
both engines at the same time that could result in an unsafe
condition on PW617F-E powered aircraft.
We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded power reduction, which
could result in the inability to continue safe flight and safe landing.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 27, 2010. The Director of
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in this AD as of September 27, 2010.
ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2010 (75 FR
27491). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states that:
A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines.
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the
FOHE on that engine had worn through the housing seat, allowing
unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the FMU, resulting in fuel
flow drop and subsequent power reduction.
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an ASB No. PW600-72-A66019
to inspect and replace any discrepant valve with the same type new
valve. The inspection results confirmed that failure of a worn
through poppet is dormant and it can affect both engines at the same
time that could result in an unsafe condition on PW617F-E powered
aircraft.
On November 23, 2009, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an ASB
No. PW600-72-A66021 that introduced a new fuel Filter Bypass Valve
Assembly with an improved design poppet to help alleviate the
subject poppet wear problem. This AD is issued to mandate
replacement of the FOHE fuel filter bypass valve on all PW617F-E
engines as per Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. ASB No. PW600-72-A66021
instructions.
[[Page 51660]]
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will
affect about 77 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it will take about 3.5 work-hours per engine to
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Required parts will cost about $22,582 per engine. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be
$1,761,722.
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 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 this AD:
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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (phone (800) 647-5527) is provided in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
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 FAA 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 AD:
2010-17-01 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (formerly Pratt & Whitney
Canada, Inc.): Amendment 39-16391. Docket No. FAA-2010-0246;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-16-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 27, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. PW617F-E
turbofan engines with fuel/oil heat exchanger (FOHE) part number (P/
N) 35C4540-01 installed. These engines are installed on, but not
limited to, Empresa Brasileira de Aeron[aacute]utica S.A (EMB) 500
airplanes.
Reason
(d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines.
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the
FOHE on that engine had worn through the housing seat, allowing
unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the Fuel Metering Unit,
resulting in fuel flow drop and subsequent power reduction.
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) No. PW600-72-A66019 to inspect and replace any discrepant
valve with the same type new valve. The inspection results confirmed
that failure of a worn through poppet is dormant and it can affect
both engines at the same time that could result in an unsafe
condition on PW617F-E powered aircraft.
We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded power reduction, which
could result in the inability to continue safe flight and safe
landing.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, replace the FOHE fuel filter bypass
poppet valve with a larger fuel filter bypass poppet valve within 25
hours of the effective date of the AD. Use paragraph 3.A. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. ASB No.
PW600-72-A66021, Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010, to do the
replacement.
Previous Credit
(f) A fuel filter bypass poppet valve replacement performed
before the effective date of this AD using Pratt & Whitney Canada
Corp. ASB No. PW600-72-A66021, dated November 23, 2009, satisfies
the replacement requirement of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-
2010-02, dated January 20, 2010, for related information.
(i) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. ASB No. PW600-72-
A66021, Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010 to do the replacement
required by this AD.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin,
Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1;
[[Page 51661]]
telephone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888; Web site: http://www.pwc.ca.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 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 July 30, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-20714 Filed 8-20-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P