Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop Engines, 69623-69625 [2015-28534]
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69623
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 217
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT
5 CFR Part 870
RIN 3206–AN04
Federal Employees’ Group Life
Insurance Program: Providing Option
C Coverage for Children of Same-Sex
Domestic Partners; Withdrawal
U.S. Office of Personnel
Management.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking;
withdrawal.
AGENCY:
The United States Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) hereby
withdraws a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the
Federal Employees’ Group Life
Insurance (FEGLI) regulations to allow
children of same-sex domestic partners
living in states that do not allow samesex couples to marry to be covered as
family members under an eligible
individual’s FEGLI Option C
enrollment.
DATES: The proposed rule, published on
October 15, 2014, in the Federal
Register (79 FR 61788 –61790), is
withdrawn as of November 10, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ronald Brown, Policy Analyst, (202)
606–0004, or by email to
Ronald.Brown@opm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office
of Personnel Management is
withdrawing the proposed rule
published October 15, 2014 entitled,
‘‘Federal Employees’ Group Life
Insurance Program: Providing Option C
Coverage for Children of Same-Sex
Domestic Partners’’ (79 FR 61788–
61790). The proposed regulation would
have allowed children of same-sex
domestic partners living in states that
do not allow same-sex couples to marry
to be covered as family members under
an eligible individual’s FEGLI Option C
enrollment. On June 26, 2015, the
United States Supreme Court ruled in
Obergefell v. Hodges that the Fourteenth
Amendment requires a State to license
a marriage between two people of the
same sex and to recognize a marriage
between two people of the same sex
when their marriage was lawfully
licensed and performed out-of-State. As
a result, all states are required to allow
same-sex couples to marry, meaning no
additional children would be eligible for
coverage based on the proposed rule.
For this reason, the Office of Personnel
Management withdraws the proposed
rule to amend the FEGLI regulation to
allow children of same-sex domestic
partners living in states that do not
allow same-sex couples to marry to be
covered as family members under an
eligible individual’s FEGLI Option C
enrollment.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• 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
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Pratt &
Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 MarieVictorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada,
J4G 1A1; phone: 800–268–8000; fax:
450–647–2888; Web site: www.pwc.ca.
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.
Federal Aviation Administration
Examining the AD Docket
U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Beth F. Cobert,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 2015–28569 Filed 11–9–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325–63–P
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:28 Nov 09, 2015
Jkt 238001
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2015–3732; Directorate
Identifier 2015–NE–25–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt &
Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop
Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (PWC)
PT6A–60AG, –65AG, –67AF, and
–67AG turboprop engines. This
proposed AD was prompted by
incidents of corrosion and perforation of
the two-ply Cu-Be bellows in
Woodward fuel control units (FCUs).
This proposed AD would require
removing the Woodward FCU and
installing an FCU that is eligible for
installation. We are proposing this AD
to prevent failure of the Woodward
FCU, which could lead to failure of the
engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of
control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by January 11, 2016.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
ADDRESSES:
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
3732; 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
mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Besian Luga, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781–238–7750; fax: 781–238–
7199; email: besian.luga@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2015–3732; Directorate Identifier
E:\FR\FM\10NOP1.SGM
10NOP1
69624
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 217 / Tuesday, November 10, 2015 / Proposed Rules
2015–NE–25–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this NPRM. We will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this NPRM based
on those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
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 NPRM.
Discussion
The Transport Canada Civil Aviation,
which is the aviation authority for
Canada, has issued Canada AD CF–
2015–23, dated July 23, 2015 (referred to
hereinafter as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an
unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
There have been in-service incidents
involving corrosion and perforation of the
two-ply Cu-Be bellows in Woodward Fuel
Control Units (FCU) fitted to PT6A–60, –65
and –67 series engines. In certain instances,
associated bellows leakage has resulted in
loss of engine power, in-flight shutdowns
(IFSD) and even accidents. Engines installed
on the aeroplanes that are used for crop
dusting, due to the operational environment,
are more susceptible to corrosion damage to
the subject bellows.
Loss of engine power or shut down in
flight by itself usually is not considered a
catastrophic event. However, on an aeroplane
with single engine installation, an engine
power loss or IFSD at a critical phase of flight
could adversely affect the safe operation of
the aeroplane.
This AD affects the PT6A–60AG,
PT6A–65AG, PT6A–67AF, and PT6A–
67AG engine models because they have
the affected Woodward FCUs installed.
You may obtain further information
by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
3732.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
PWC has issued Service Bulletin (SB)
No. PT6A–72–14389, Revision 3, dated
January 27, 2011 and SB No. PT6A–72–
13473, Revision 1, dated May 26, 2015.
The service information describes
procedures for replacing Woodward
FCUs. 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 the
ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:28 Nov 09, 2015
Jkt 238001
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of Canada, and is
approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to our bilateral
agreement with Canada, they have
notified us of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are
proposing this AD because we evaluated
all information provided by Transport
Canada Civil Aviation and determined
the unsafe condition exists and is likely
to exist or develop on other products of
the same type design. This NPRM
would require replacing the Woodward
FCU.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
affects 341 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also
estimate that it would take about 1.5
hours per engine to comply with this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is
$85 per hour. Required parts cost about
$1,000 per engine. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of this
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be
$384,478.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify this proposed regulation:
(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),
(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.
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 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 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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):
■
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (Type
Certificate previously held by Pratt &
Whitney Canada, Inc., Pratt & Whitney
Aircraft of Canada, Ltd., and United
Aircraft of Canada, Ltd.): Docket No.
FAA–2015–3732; Directorate Identifier
2015–NE–25–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 11,
2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada
Corp. (PWC) PT6A–60AG, BS919 and
BS1048 with pre-SB No. PT6A–72–13402,
dated August 12, 2005 configuration; PT6A–
65AG, BS708, BS903, BS1101, and BS1102
with pre-SB PT6A–72–13408, dated July 3,
2006 configuration; PT6A–67AF; and PT6A–
67AG turboprop engines with Woodward
fuel control units (FCUs) installed.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by incidents of
corrosion and perforation of the two-ply CuBe bellows in Woodward FCUs. We are
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the
Woodward FCU, which could lead to failure
of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of
control of the airplane.
E:\FR\FM\10NOP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 217 / Tuesday, November 10, 2015 / Proposed Rules
(e) Actions and Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(1) For PWC PT6A–67AF and PT6A–67AG
engines, within 500 flight hours (FHs) or one
year after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, replace the
Woodward FCU. Use paragraphs 3.A. and
3.C. of PWC Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6A–
72–14389, Revision 3, dated January 27, 2011
to replace the FCU.
(2) For PWC PT6A–60AG BS919 and
BS1048 engines with pre-SB No. PT6A–72–
13402 configuration, within 36 months after
the effective date of this AD, replace the
Woodward FCU. Use paragraph 3.C.(1) and
3.C.(3) of PWC SB No. PT6A–72–13473,
Revision 1, dated May 26, 2015 to replace the
FCU.
(3) For PWC PT6A–65AG BS708, BS903,
BS1101, and BS1102 engines with pre-SB
PT6A–72–13408 configuration, within 36
months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the Woodward FCU. Use paragraphs
3.A.(1) and 3.A.(3) of PWC SB No. PT6A–72–
13473, Revision 1, dated May 26, 2015 to
replace the FCU.
(f) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the actions
required by paragraph (e) of this AD if you
performed the actions before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with PWC SB
No. PT6A–72–14389, Revision 2, dated April
23, 2009; or SB No. PT6A–72–13473, dated
March 12, 2015; or SB No. PT6A–72–13408,
Revision 1, dated March 12, 2015; or earlier
versions.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
(g) 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.
(h) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Besian Luga, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781–238–7750; fax: 781–238–7199;
email: besian.luga@faa.gov.
(2) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD
CF–2015–23, dated July 23, 2015, for more
information. You may examine the MCAI in
the AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating it in Docket No. FAA–2015–3732.
(3) PWC SB No. PT6A–72–14389, Revision
3, dated January 27, 2011 and SB No. 13473,
Revision 1, dated May 26, 2015, can be
obtained from PWC, using the contact
information in paragraph (h)(4) of this
proposed AD.
(4) For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Pratt & Whitney
Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil,
Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone: 800–268–
8000; fax: 450–647–2888; Web site:
www.pwc.ca.
(5) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:28 Nov 09, 2015
Jkt 238001
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on
November 4, 2015.
Colleen M. D’Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–28534 Filed 11–9–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2014–0561; Directorate
Identifier 2014–NE–12–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce
plc Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to supersede
airworthiness directive (AD) 2015–04–
03 that applies to certain Rolls-Royce
plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768–60, 772–60,
and 772B–60 turbofan engines. AD
2015–04–03 requires inspection of the
sealing sleeve on the high-pressure/
intermediate-pressure (HP/IP) turbine
support internal oil feed tube and
removal of those sealing sleeves affected
by AD 2015–04–03. This proposed AD
would require removal of either the
affected sealing sleeve only or both the
affected sealing sleeve and the oil feed
tube. We are proposing this AD to
prevent failure of the HP/IP turbine
support internal oil feed tube, which
could lead to uncontained engine failure
and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by January 11, 2016.
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
https://www.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.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Rolls-Royce
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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69625
plc, Corporate Communications, P.O.
Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United
Kingdom; phone: 011–44–1332–242424;
fax: 011–44–1332–249936; email: https://
www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_
team.jsp; Internet: https://
customers.rolls-royce.com/public/
rollsroycecare. 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–2014–
0561; 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 proposed AD, the
mandatory continuing airworthiness
information, regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other
information. The address for the Docket
Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781–238–7770; fax: 781–238–
7199; email: philip.haberlen@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2014–0561; Directorate Identifier
2014–NE–12–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD because of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On February 11, 2015, we issued AD
2015–04–03, Amendment 39–18105 (80
E:\FR\FM\10NOP1.SGM
10NOP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69623-69625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28534]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-3732; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (PWC) PT6A-60AG, -65AG, -67AF, and
-67AG turboprop engines. This proposed AD was prompted by incidents of
corrosion and perforation of the two-ply Cu-Be bellows in Woodward fuel
control units (FCUs). This proposed AD would require removing the
Woodward FCU and installing an FCU that is eligible for installation.
We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the Woodward FCU, which
could lead to failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of
control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 11,
2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
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 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec,
Canada, J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; Web site:
www.pwc.ca. 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-
3732; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Besian Luga, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7750;
fax: 781-238-7199; email: besian.luga@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-3732;
Directorate Identifier
[[Page 69624]]
2015-NE-25-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically
invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and
energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may amend this NPRM based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://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 NPRM.
Discussion
The Transport Canada Civil Aviation, which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canada AD CF-2015-23, dated July 23,
2015 (referred to hereinafter as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
There have been in-service incidents involving corrosion and
perforation of the two-ply Cu-Be bellows in Woodward Fuel Control
Units (FCU) fitted to PT6A-60, -65 and -67 series engines. In
certain instances, associated bellows leakage has resulted in loss
of engine power, in-flight shutdowns (IFSD) and even accidents.
Engines installed on the aeroplanes that are used for crop dusting,
due to the operational environment, are more susceptible to
corrosion damage to the subject bellows.
Loss of engine power or shut down in flight by itself usually is
not considered a catastrophic event. However, on an aeroplane with
single engine installation, an engine power loss or IFSD at a
critical phase of flight could adversely affect the safe operation
of the aeroplane.
This AD affects the PT6A-60AG, PT6A-65AG, PT6A-67AF, and PT6A-67AG
engine models because they have the affected Woodward FCUs installed.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3732.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
PWC has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6A-72-14389, Revision 3,
dated January 27, 2011 and SB No. PT6A-72-13473, Revision 1, dated May
26, 2015. The service information describes procedures for replacing
Woodward FCUs. 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 the ADDRESSES section of this
NPRM.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Canada,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with Canada, they have notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information
provided by Transport Canada Civil Aviation and determined the unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of
the same type design. This NPRM would require replacing the Woodward
FCU.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 341 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about
1.5 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $1,000 per engine.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $384,478.
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 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
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
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):
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (Type Certificate previously held by
Pratt & Whitney Canada, Inc., Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada,
Ltd., and United Aircraft of Canada, Ltd.): Docket No. FAA-2015-
3732; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-25-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 11, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (PWC) PT6A-60AG,
BS919 and BS1048 with pre-SB No. PT6A-72-13402, dated August 12,
2005 configuration; PT6A-65AG, BS708, BS903, BS1101, and BS1102 with
pre-SB PT6A-72-13408, dated July 3, 2006 configuration; PT6A-67AF;
and PT6A-67AG turboprop engines with Woodward fuel control units
(FCUs) installed.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by incidents of corrosion and perforation
of the two-ply Cu-Be bellows in Woodward FCUs. We are issuing this
AD to prevent failure of the Woodward FCU, which could lead to
failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of control of
the airplane.
[[Page 69625]]
(e) Actions and Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) For PWC PT6A-67AF and PT6A-67AG engines, within 500 flight
hours (FHs) or one year after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, replace the Woodward FCU. Use paragraphs
3.A. and 3.C. of PWC Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6A-72-14389,
Revision 3, dated January 27, 2011 to replace the FCU.
(2) For PWC PT6A-60AG BS919 and BS1048 engines with pre-SB No.
PT6A-72-13402 configuration, within 36 months after the effective
date of this AD, replace the Woodward FCU. Use paragraph 3.C.(1) and
3.C.(3) of PWC SB No. PT6A-72-13473, Revision 1, dated May 26, 2015
to replace the FCU.
(3) For PWC PT6A-65AG BS708, BS903, BS1101, and BS1102 engines
with pre-SB PT6A-72-13408 configuration, within 36 months after the
effective date of this AD, replace the Woodward FCU. Use paragraphs
3.A.(1) and 3.A.(3) of PWC SB No. PT6A-72-13473, Revision 1, dated
May 26, 2015 to replace the FCU.
(f) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (e) of
this AD if you performed the actions before the effective date of
this AD in accordance with PWC SB No. PT6A-72-14389, Revision 2,
dated April 23, 2009; or SB No. PT6A-72-13473, dated March 12, 2015;
or SB No. PT6A-72-13408, Revision 1, dated March 12, 2015; or
earlier versions.
(g) 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.
(h) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Besian Luga,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7750; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
besian.luga@faa.gov.
(2) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD CF-2015-23, dated July 23,
2015, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD
docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-3732.
(3) PWC SB No. PT6A-72-14389, Revision 3, dated January 27, 2011
and SB No. 13473, Revision 1, dated May 26, 2015, can be obtained
from PWC, using the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this
proposed AD.
(4) For service information identified in this proposed AD,
contact Pratt & Whitney Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil,
Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; Web
site: www.pwc.ca.
(5) 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 4, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-28534 Filed 11-9-15; 8:45 am]
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