88 FR 216 pgs. 77236-77238 - Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Engines
Type: PRORULEVolume: 88Number: 216Pages: 77236 - 77238
Pages: 77236, 77237, 77238Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2023-2147; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00663-E]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2023-24562 Filed 11-8-23; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
[top]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-2147; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00663-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Engines
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) Model PW307A and PW307D engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a root cause analysis of an event involving an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling and an aborted takeoff. This proposed AD would require removing from service and replacing certain HPT disks and would also prohibit installing certain HPT disks on any engine, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by December 26, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493-2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2147; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-3639; email: TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2147.
• You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES . Include "Docket No. FAA-2023-2147; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00663-E" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as "PROPIN." The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30, dated May 8, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on P&WC Model PW307A and PW307D engines with certain serial numbered HPT disks installed. The MCAI states that on March 18, 2020, an Airbus Model A321-231 airplane, powered by an International Aero Engines AG (IAE) Model V2533-A5 engines, experienced an uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure that resulted in an aborted takeoff and high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling.
In response to the March 2020 uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure, the FAA issued a series of ADs, including Emergency AD 2020-07-51, Amendment 39-21110 (85 FR 20402, April 13, 2020) (AD 2020-07-51). Since the FAA issued AD 2020-07-51, IAE determined that the failure of the V2533-A5 engine was due to an undetected subsurface material defect in the HPT 1st-stage disk that may affect the life of the part. In coordination with IAE, P&WC performed a records review and analysis of PW307A and PW307D engine parts made of similar material and identified additional affected HPT 1st and 2nd-stage disks, installed on PW307A and PW307D engines. These additional HPT disks may have a material defect that could reduce the life of the part and must be removed from service.
[top] You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2147.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30, which identifies the affected HPT disks and specifies procedures for replacement. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES .
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since coordinated with other manufacturers and CAAs to use this process. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate by reference Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30 in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in the Transport Canada AD does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to "Compliance," compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled "Corrective Actions" in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30. Service information required by the Transport Canada AD for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2147 after the FAA final rule is published.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the MCAI, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 63 engines, installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove affected HPT 1st or 2nd stage disk | 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 | $136,400 | $137,080 | $8,636,040 |
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA 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.
§?39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Docket No. FAA-2023-2147; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00663-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by December 26, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Model PW307A and PW307D engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
[top] This AD was prompted by a root cause analysis of an event involving an International Aero Engines AG Model
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30, dated May 8, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30).
(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30 requires compliance from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph A. of Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30 specifies "Before 31 January 2027," replace that text with "Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD."
(3) Where paragraph B. of Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30 specifies "At the next opportunity, when the affected engine is disassembled and access is available to the HPT disk, remove any affected HPT disk listed in Table 2 or Table 4 below and replace the affected HPT disk with a serviceable part," replace that text with "For any engine with an installed HPT disk listed in Table 2 or Table 4 [of Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30], at the next piece-part exposure, remove the affected HPT disk from service and replace with a serviceable part."
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
(j) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, "piece-part exposure" is when the affected part is removed from the engine and completely disassembled.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, a "serviceable part" is any HPT disk that is not identified in Tables 1 through 4 of Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD and email to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov .
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov .
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30, dated May 8, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2023-30, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-3639; email: TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca; website tc.canada.ca/en/aviation .
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov .
Issued on October 30, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-24562 Filed 11-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P