[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 57 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14375-14377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6581]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0217; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-23-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4000 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for PW PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4074, PW4077,
PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, PW4090-3, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158,
PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engines. This
proposed AD would require initial and repetitive fluorescent penetrant
inspections (FPI) for cracks in the blade locking and loading slots of
the high-pressure compressor (HPC) drum rotor disk assembly. This
proposed AD results from reports of cracked locking and loading slots
in the HPC drum rotor disk assembly. We are proposing this AD to detect
cracks in the locking and loading slots in the HPC drum rotor disk
assemblies, which could result in rupture of the HPC drum rotor disk
assembly and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 24,
2010.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5
[[Page 14376]]
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108;
telephone (860) 565-7700; fax (860) 565-1605, for information
identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rose Len, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected];
telephone (781) 238-7772; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0217; Directorate
Identifier 2009-NE-23-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD
in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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).
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
Discussion
We have received reports of 294 HPC drum rotor disk assemblies that
were removed because of cracks in the rear drum locking and loading
slots. We determined that the cracks resulted from thermal mechanical
fatigue. Cracks in rotating life-limited parts (LLPs), such as the HPC
rear drum of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly, could result in rupture
of that part.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of PW Service
Bulletins (SBs) PW4ENG 72-796, dated June 11, 2009, PW4G-100-72-186,
Revision 1, dated September 2, 2004, and PW4G-112-72-264, Revision 1,
dated September 2, 2004, that describe procedures for performing a
local FPI of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly blade locking and loading
slots for cracks.
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. We are proposing this AD, which would require
performing a repetitive local FPI for cracks in the HPC drum rotor disk
assembly blade locking and loading slots. The proposed AD would require
you to use the service information described previously to perform
these actions.
Interim Action
These actions are interim actions and we may take further
rulemaking actions in the future.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,038 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would
take about 1 work-hour per engine to perform the proposed actions, and
that the average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. No parts are
required. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $88,230.
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 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 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. 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.
The Proposed Amendment
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: Docket No. FAA-2010-0217; Directorate Identifier
2009-NE-23-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this
[[Page 14377]]
airworthiness directive (AD) action by May 24, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4052, PW4056,
PW4060, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4074, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090,
PW4090-3, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A,
PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engines. These engines are installed on,
but not limited to, Boeing 747-400, 767-200, 767-300, 777-200, and
777-300 airplanes; McDonnell Douglas MD-11 airplanes; and Airbus
A300-600, A310-300, and A330-200 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of cracked locking and loading
slots in the high-pressure compressor (HPC) drum rotor disk
assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in the locking and
loading slots in the HPC drum rotor disk assemblies, which could
result in rupture of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly and damage to
the airplane.
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.
Local Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection
(f) Perform a local fluorescent penetrant inspection for cracks
in the HPC drum rotor disk assembly blade locking and loading slots
of the specific stages of the HPC drum rotor disk assemblies from
which any of the blades are removed as specified in Table 1 of this
AD.
Table 1--Compliance Times and Service Bulletins by Engine Model
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For engine model Inspect whenever-- Use--
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(1) PW4074, PW4077, PW4077D, Any of the 13th or Paragraphs 1.A.
PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090- 14th stage blades through 1.B. of the
3. are removed during Accomplishment
a shop visit. Instructions of
PW4G-112-72-264,
Revision 1, dated
September 2, 2004.
(2) PW4164, PW4168, and Any of the 13th, Paragraphs 1.A.
PW4168A. 14th, or 15th stage through 1.C of the
blades are removed Accomplishment
during a shop visit. Instructions of
PW4G-100-72-186,
Revision 1, dated
September 2, 2004.
(3) PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, Any of the 13th, Paragraphs 1.A.
PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, 14th, or 15th stage through 1.C. of the
PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, blades are removed Accomplishment
PW4460, and PW4462. during a shop visit. Instructions of
PW4ENG 72-796,
dated June 11,
2009.
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(g) Remove from service any HPC drum rotor disk assembly found
with a crack in the blade loading and locking slots of the HPC drum
rotor disk assembly.
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.
Related Information
(i) Contact Rose Len, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected];
telephone (781) 238-7772; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
(j) Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletins PW4ENG 72-796, dated June
11, 2009, PW4G-100-72-186, Revision 1, dated September 2, 2004, and
PW4G-112-72-264, Revision 1, dated September 2, 2004, pertain to the
subject of this AD. Contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East
Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-7700; fax (860) 565-1605,
for a copy of this service information.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 16, 2010.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-6581 Filed 3-24-10; 8:45 am]
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