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 Federal Register Information
 Header Information
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-ANE-66-AD; Amendment 39-12649; AD 2002-03-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series Turbofan Engines
PDF Copy (If Available):
Preamble Information
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), that is applicable to Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires revisions to the Time Limits Section of the manufacturer's Engine Manuals (EM's) to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part exposure. This amendment modifies the airworthiness limitations section of the manufacturer's manual and an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate additional inspection requirements. An FAA study of in-service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating engine parts has indicated the need for mandatory inspections. The mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in uncontained failures. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
DATES: Effective date April 16, 2002.
ADDRESSES: This information may be examined, by appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McCabe, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7138, fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2000-12-02, Amendment 39-11780 (65 FR 37473, June 15, 2000), which is applicable to Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series turbofan engines was published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2001 (66 FR 50888). That action proposed to modify the airworthiness limitations section of the manufacturer's manual and an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate additional inspection requirements. An FAA study of in-service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating engine parts has indicated the need for mandatory inspections. The mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in uncontained failures.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.
Two commenters state that EM part numbers 50A345, 50A751, and 50A882 are incorrect and should be changed to the correct part numbers of 51A345, 51A751, and 50A822, respectively.
The FAA agrees. The correct manual part numbers are included in this final rule.
One commenter requests that the comment period of this AD be extended until the manufacturer issues the new inspection requirements in the EM's or, that the operator's compliance to the final rule of this AD be delayed for 30 days after the manufacturer publishes the new inspection procedures in the manufacturer's EM's.
The FAA disagrees. The manufacturer has confirmed its ability to issue Temporary Revisions to the affected EM's within several weeks after the effective date of this AD. The FAA believes that the nature and scope of the added inspections will not be significantly different from existing inspections. In addition, the effective date of this AD (and therefore the operator's compliance time period) has been extended to 60 days after publication to allow ample time for the specific inspection procedures and requirements to be published by the manufacturer and then incorporated into the operator's maintenance programs. Operators may submit comments to the docket on the specific procedures once they are published, and the FAA will consider extending the effective date further or additional rulemaking, as necessary. The FAA does not believe, however, that this final rule need be delayed pending the publication of the inspection procedures, or that the initial compliance time be extended to accommodate the manufacturer's manual revision cycle.
One commenter concurs with the intent of the AD as proposed.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Economic Analysis
No comments were received on the economic analysis contained in the proposed rules. The FAA has determined that the annual cost of complying with this AD does not create a significant economic impact on small entities.
Regulatory Analysis
This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this final rule.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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) if promulgated, 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-11780 (65 FR 37473, June 15, 2000) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-12649, to read as follows:
Regulatory Information
Footer Information
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 5, 2002.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-3579 Filed 2-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
Comments
Applicability paragraph and (a) paragraph corrected in Federal Register on March 6, 2002. Added model PW4090-3.
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