Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan Engines, 65614-65616 [2015-27184]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Subpart G also issued under 12 U.S.C. 2810
et seq., 2901 et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 1691; 42 U.S.C.
1981, 1982, 3601–3619.
Subpart H also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1464; 1831y.
Subpart I also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1831x.
Subpart J also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1831p–1.
Subpart M also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1818.
Subpart N also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1821.
Subpart O also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1828.
Subpart P also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1470; 1831e; 1831n; 1831p–1; 3339.
Subpart Q also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1462; 1462a; 1463; 1464.
Subpart R also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1463; 1464; 1831m; 1831n; 1831p–1.
Subpart S also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1462; 1462a; 1463; 1464; 1468a; 1817; 1820;
1828; 1831e; 1831o; 1831p–1; 1881–1884;
3207; 3339; 15 U.S.C. 78b; 78 l; 78m; 78n;
78p; 78q; 78w; 31 U.S.C. 5318; 42 U.S.C.
4106.
Subpart T also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1462a; 1463; 1464; 15 U.S.C. 78c; 78 l; 78m;
78n; 78w.
Subpart U also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1462a; 1463; 1464; 15 U.S.C. 78c; 78 l; 78m;
78n; 78p; 78w; 78d–1; 7241; 7242; 7243;
7244; 7261; 7264; 7265.
Subpart V also issued under 12 U.S.C.
3201–3208.
Subpart W also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1462a; 1463; 1464; 15 U.S.C. 78c; 78 l; 78m;
78n; 78p; 78w.
Subpart X also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1462; 1462a; 1463; 1464; 1828; 3331 et seq.
Subpart Y also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1831o.
Subpart Z also issued under 12 U.S.C.
1462; 1462a; 1463; 1464; 1828 (note).
Subpart L—[Removed and Reserved]
Dated at Washington, DC, this 22nd day of
October, 2015.
By order of the Board of Directors.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Robert E. Feldman,
Executive Secretary.
BILLING CODE 6714–01–P
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2015–0787; Directorate
Identifier 2015–NE–10–AD; Amendment 39–
18307; AD 2015–22–03]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt &
Whitney Division Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt
& Whitney Division (PW) PW4164,
PW4168, PW4168A, PW4164C,
PW4164C/B, PW4164–1D, PW4168–1D,
PW4168A–1D, PW4170, PW4164C–1D,
PW4164C/B–1D, PW4050, PW4052,
PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A,
PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A,
PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158,
PW4160, PW4460, PW4462, and
PW4650 turbofan engines including
models with a ‘‘–3’’ suffix with a lowpressure turbine (LPT) 4th stage inner
air seal (IAS), part number (P/N)
51N038, installed. This AD was
prompted by the discovery, during
routine overhaul of the LPT, of cracks in
the barrel section of the LPT 4th stage
IAS. This AD requires removal of the
LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038,
according to a prescribed schedule. We
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the LPT 4th stage IAS, which could lead
to an uncontained IAS release, damage
to the engine, and damage to the
airplane.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
This AD is effective December 1,
2015.
For service information
identified in this AD, contact Pratt &
Whitney Division, 400 Main St., East
Hartford, CT 06108; phone: (860) 565–
8770; fax: (860) 565–4503. You may
view this service information at the
FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call (781) 238–7125.
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is
Document Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katheryn Malatek, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781–238–7747; fax: 781–238–
7199; email: katheryn.malatek@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to all PW PW4164, PW4168,
PW4168A, PW4164C, PW4164C/B,
PW4164–1D, PW4168–1D, PW4168A–
1D, PW4170, PW4164C–1D, PW4164C/
B–1D, PW4050, PW4052, PW4056,
PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C,
PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156,
PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160, PW4460,
PW4462, and PW4650 turbofan engines
including models with a ‘‘–3’’ suffix
with an LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038,
installed. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on June 1, 2015 (80 FR
30963). The NPRM was prompted by
nine occasions of discovering, during
routine overhaul of the LPT, cracks in
the barrel section of the LPT 4th stage
IAS. The NPRM proposed to require
removal of the LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N
51N038, according to a prescribed
schedule. We are issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the LPT 4th stage IAS,
which could lead to an uncontained IAS
release, damage to the engine, and
damage to the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. The
following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA’s
response to each comment.
Jkt 238001
Examining the AD Docket
Support for the NPRM (80 FR 30963,
June 1, 2015)
The Boeing Company expressed
support for the NPRM.
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
0787; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory
[FR Doc. 2015–27292 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am]
16:49 Oct 26, 2015
Federal Aviation Administration
ADDRESSES:
2. Remove and reserve subpart L,
consisting of §§ 390.220 through
390.222.
■
VerDate Sep<11>2014
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Request To Change Definitions
United Airlines and Delta Airlines
requested that the Definitions paragraph
be changed. United Airlines requested
we change the definition of LPT
overhaul from ‘‘maintenance which
involves disassembly of the LPT rotor
module’’ to ‘‘when the LPT module is
disassembled sufficiently to gain access
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
to the LPT 4th stage rotor assembly
(disk/blade/seal).’’ Delta Airlines
requested we change the definition of an
LPT overhaul to ‘‘when all disks in the
rotor are removed from the engine and
the blades are removed.’’
We agree that the definition of an LPT
overhaul should be clarified. We
changed the definition of an LPT
overhaul to ‘‘An LPT overhaul is
defined as when all disks in the rotor
are removed from the engine and the
blades are removed.’’
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.
Request To Change Applicability
Delta Airlines requested changing the
applicability to include models with
any dash number suffix.
We agree with the intent of this
request. We changed the Summary,
Discussion, and Applicability sections
by adding ‘‘. . . including models with
a ‘‘–3’’ suffix . . .’’ following the listed
engine models as required.
Regulatory Findings
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comments received, and
determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting this AD
with the changes described previously.
We determined that these changes will
not increase the economic burden on
any operator or increase the scope of
this AD.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 72
engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that 9 of the
engines will require replacement parts
during shop visit, the pro-rated cost of
these parts cost will be $23,805 per
engine, and compliance with this AD
will require about 49 hours of labor per
engine. The average labor rate is $85 per
hour. We also estimate that 63 of the
engines will require replacement parts
during LPT overhaul, the pro-rated
replacement parts cost for these parts is
$43,545 per engine, and that these 63
engines will require 0 additional hours
of labor per engine since the parts are
already exposed during LPT overhaul.
Based on these figures, we estimate the
cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be
$2,995,065.
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,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:49 Oct 26, 2015
Jkt 238001
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska to the extent that it justifies
making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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 (AD):
■
2015–22–03 Pratt & Whitney Division:
Amendment 39–18307; Docket No.
FAA–2015–0787; Directorate Identifier
2015–NE–10–AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective December 1, 2015.
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
65615
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to:
(1) All Pratt & Whitney Division PW4164,
PW4168, PW4168A, PW4164C, PW4164C/B,
PW4164–1D, PW4168–1D, PW4168A–1D,
PW4170, PW4164C–1D, and PW4164C/B–1D
turbofan engines with a low-pressure turbine
(LPT) 4th stage inner air seal (IAS), part
number (P/N) 51N038, installed.
(2) All PW4050, PW4052, PW4056,
PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062,
PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A,
PW4158, PW4160, PW4460, PW4462, and
PW4650 turbofan engines including models
with a ‘‘–3’’ suffix with an LPT 4th stage IAS,
P/N 51N038, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the discovery,
during routine overhaul of the LPT, of cracks
in the barrel section of the LPT 4th stage IAS
which could, if not corrected, result in
uncontained IAS release, damage to the
engine, and damage to the aircraft. We are
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT
4th stage IAS, which could lead to an
uncontained IAS release, damage to the
engine, and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done. For the engines listed in paragraph
(c)(1) of this AD:
(1) At each LPT overhaul after the effective
date of this AD, remove from service the LPT
4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038.
(2) At each engine shop visit after the
effective date of this AD, remove from service
the LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, if it has
more than 10,900 cycles since new.
(f) Installation Prohibition
(1) Do not install any LPT 4th stage IAS,
P/N 51N038, with more than 0 flight cycles
on any engine listed in paragraph (c)(1) of
this AD.
(2) Do not install on any engine listed in
paragraphs (c)(2) of this AD, any LPT 4th
stage IAS, P/N 51N038, which was
previously installed on any engine listed in
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD.
(g) Definitions
For the purposes of this AD:
(1) An LPT overhaul is defined as when all
disks in the rotor are removed from the
engine and the blades are removed.
(2) An ‘‘engine shop visit’’ is the induction
of an engine into the shop for maintenance
involving the separation of pairs of major
mating engine flanges (lettered flanges). The
separation of engine flanges solely for the
purpose of transportation without subsequent
engine maintenance does not constitute an
engine shop visit.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office,
FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to
make your request. You may email your
request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Katheryn Malatek, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781–238–7747; fax: 781–238–
7199; email: katheryn.malatek@faa.gov.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on
October 21, 2015.
Colleen M. D’Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–27184 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
For service information
identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data
& Services Management, P.O. Box 3707,
MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207;
telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1;
fax 206–766–5680; Internet https://
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view
this referenced service information at
the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call 425–227–1221. It is also available
on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.govby searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
0498.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2015–0498; Directorate
Identifier 2014–NM–152–AD; Amendment
39–18305; AD 2015–22–01]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are superseding
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007–16–
08, which applied to all The Boeing
Company Model 747–100, 747–100B,
747–100B SUD, 747–200B, 747–200C,
747–300, 747–400, 747–400D, and
747SR series airplanes. AD 2007–16–08
required repetitive inspections for
cracking of the station 800 frame
assembly, and repair if necessary. This
new AD continues to require repetitive
inspections for cracking of the station
800 frame assembly, and repair if
necessary, and expands the inspection
area. This AD was prompted by reports
of cracks found at the forward and aft
inner chord strap and angles on the
station 800 frame on the left-side and
right-side main entry doors. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct
fatigue cracks that could extend and
fully sever the frame, which could result
in development of skin cracks that
could lead to rapid depressurization of
the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective December 1,
2015.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of December 1, 2015.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:49 Oct 26, 2015
Jkt 238001
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
0498; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility 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 address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is
Document Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill
Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–
3356; phone: 425–917–6432; fax: 425–
917–6590; email: bill.ashforth@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2007–16–08,
Amendment 39–15147 (72 FR 44728,
August 9, 2007). AD 2007–16–08
applied to all The Boeing Company
Model 747–100, 747–100B, 747–100B
SUD, 747–200B, 747–200C, 747–300,
747–400, 747–400D, and 747SR series
airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on March 30, 2015 (80
FR 16606). The NPRM was prompted by
reports of cracks found at the forward
and aft inner chord strap and angles on
the station 800 frame on the left-side
and right-side main entry doors. The
NPRM proposed to continue to require
repetitive inspections for cracking of the
station 800 frame assembly, and repair
if necessary, and expand the inspection
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
area. We are issuing this AD to detect
and correct fatigue cracks that could
extend and fully sever the frame, which
could result in development of skin
cracks that could lead to rapid
depressurization of the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. The
following presents the comments
received on the NPRM (80 FR 16606,
March 30, 2015) and the FAA’s response
to each comment.
Support for the NPRM (80 FR 16606,
March 30, 2015)
Boeing stated that it concurred with
the contents of the NPRM (80 FR 16606,
March 30, 2015).
Statement Regarding the NPRM (80 FR
16606, March 30, 2015)
United Airlines stated that it has
reviewed the NPRM (80 FR 16606,
March 30, 2015), and has no comment
to submit.
Request To Clarify Inspection
Requirements
UPS requested that we add an
additional statement to paragraph (i) of
the proposed AD (‘‘Exception to the
Service Information,’’) to clarify that the
removal of fasteners is not required for
performing the surface high-frequency
eddy current (HFEC) inspections
specified by paragraph (g) of the
proposed AD (80 FR 16606, March 30,
2015). UPS stated that by adding the
clarification that the removal of
fasteners is not required, significant
time and materials would be saved by
operators when accomplishing this
inspection and prevent unnecessary
alternative method of compliance
(AMOC) requests. UPS explained that
Boeing agreed in a response to a service
request that fastener removal is not
required for performing surface HFEC
inspections.
We agree because the clarification
will reduce costs while ensuring the
same level of safety. We have added the
following sentence to paragraph (g) of
this AD: ‘‘It is not necessary to remove
fasteners while performing the surface
HFEC inspections.’’
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comments received, and
determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting this AD
with the change described previously
and minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
• Are consistent with the intent that
was proposed in the NPRM (80 FR
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65614-65616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27184]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-0787; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-10-AD;
Amendment 39-18307; AD 2015-22-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A, PW4164C,
PW4164C/B, PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D, PW4170, PW4164C-1D,
PW4164C/B-1D, PW4050, PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062,
PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160, PW4460, PW4462, and
PW4650 turbofan engines including models with a ``-3'' suffix with a
low-pressure turbine (LPT) 4th stage inner air seal (IAS), part number
(P/N) 51N038, installed. This AD was prompted by the discovery, during
routine overhaul of the LPT, of cracks in the barrel section of the LPT
4th stage IAS. This AD requires removal of the LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N
51N038, according to a prescribed schedule. We are issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the LPT 4th stage IAS, which could lead to an
uncontained IAS release, damage to the engine, and damage to the
airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective December 1, 2015.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt
& Whitney Division, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: (860)
565-8770; fax: (860) 565-4503. You may view this service information at
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call (781) 238-7125.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0787; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katheryn Malatek, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747;
fax: 781-238-7199; email: katheryn.malatek@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all PW PW4164, PW4168,
PW4168A, PW4164C, PW4164C/B, PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D, PW4170,
PW4164C-1D, PW4164C/B-1D, PW4050, PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A,
PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160,
PW4460, PW4462, and PW4650 turbofan engines including models with a ``-
3'' suffix with an LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, installed. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on June 1, 2015 (80 FR 30963). The
NPRM was prompted by nine occasions of discovering, during routine
overhaul of the LPT, cracks in the barrel section of the LPT 4th stage
IAS. The NPRM proposed to require removal of the LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N
51N038, according to a prescribed schedule. We are issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the LPT 4th stage IAS, which could lead to an
uncontained IAS release, damage to the engine, and damage to the
airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to each comment.
Support for the NPRM (80 FR 30963, June 1, 2015)
The Boeing Company expressed support for the NPRM.
Request To Change Definitions
United Airlines and Delta Airlines requested that the Definitions
paragraph be changed. United Airlines requested we change the
definition of LPT overhaul from ``maintenance which involves
disassembly of the LPT rotor module'' to ``when the LPT module is
disassembled sufficiently to gain access
[[Page 65615]]
to the LPT 4th stage rotor assembly (disk/blade/seal).'' Delta Airlines
requested we change the definition of an LPT overhaul to ``when all
disks in the rotor are removed from the engine and the blades are
removed.''
We agree that the definition of an LPT overhaul should be
clarified. We changed the definition of an LPT overhaul to ``An LPT
overhaul is defined as when all disks in the rotor are removed from the
engine and the blades are removed.''
Request To Change Applicability
Delta Airlines requested changing the applicability to include
models with any dash number suffix.
We agree with the intent of this request. We changed the Summary,
Discussion, and Applicability sections by adding ``. . . including
models with a ``-3'' suffix . . .'' following the listed engine models
as required.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or
increase the scope of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 72 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 9 of the engines will require
replacement parts during shop visit, the pro-rated cost of these parts
cost will be $23,805 per engine, and compliance with this AD will
require about 49 hours of labor per engine. The average labor rate is
$85 per hour. We also estimate that 63 of the engines will require
replacement parts during LPT overhaul, the pro-rated replacement parts
cost for these parts is $43,545 per engine, and that these 63 engines
will require 0 additional hours of labor per engine since the parts are
already exposed during LPT overhaul. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $2,995,065.
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
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2015-22-03 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-18307; Docket No.
FAA-2015-0787; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-10-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective December 1, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to:
(1) All Pratt & Whitney Division PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A,
PW4164C, PW4164C/B, PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D, PW4170,
PW4164C-1D, and PW4164C/B-1D turbofan engines with a low-pressure
turbine (LPT) 4th stage inner air seal (IAS), part number (P/N)
51N038, installed.
(2) All PW4050, PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C,
PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160, PW4460,
PW4462, and PW4650 turbofan engines including models with a ``-3''
suffix with an LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the discovery, during routine overhaul
of the LPT, of cracks in the barrel section of the LPT 4th stage IAS
which could, if not corrected, result in uncontained IAS release,
damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft. We are issuing
this AD to prevent failure of the LPT 4th stage IAS, which could
lead to an uncontained IAS release, damage to the engine, and damage
to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done. For the engines listed in paragraph (c)(1) of
this AD:
(1) At each LPT overhaul after the effective date of this AD,
remove from service the LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038.
(2) At each engine shop visit after the effective date of this
AD, remove from service the LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, if it has
more than 10,900 cycles since new.
(f) Installation Prohibition
(1) Do not install any LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, with more
than 0 flight cycles on any engine listed in paragraph (c)(1) of
this AD.
(2) Do not install on any engine listed in paragraphs (c)(2) of
this AD, any LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, which was previously
installed on any engine listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD.
(g) Definitions
For the purposes of this AD:
(1) An LPT overhaul is defined as when all disks in the rotor
are removed from the engine and the blades are removed.
(2) An ``engine shop visit'' is the induction of an engine into
the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major
mating engine flanges (lettered flanges). The separation of engine
flanges solely for the purpose of transportation without subsequent
engine maintenance does not constitute an engine shop visit.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
[[Page 65616]]
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Katheryn Malatek,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
katheryn.malatek@faa.gov.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 21, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-27184 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
