Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan Engines, 76400-76402 [2015-30948]

Download as PDF 76400 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules (i) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration This AD allows credit for the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD and the repair required in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, if done before the effective date of this AD, following Part I of the Instructions in Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1273, dated June 4, 2015. This AD also allows credit for the modification required in paragraph (h) of this AD, if done before the effective date of this AD, following Part II of the Instructions in Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1273, dated June 4, 2015. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 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 ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in Related Information, paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. (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. (k) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gregory ‘‘Keith’’ Noles, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474–5551; fax: (404) 474–5606; email: gregory.noles@faa.gov. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc. 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; telephone: (415) 330–9500; email: sales@ atp.com; and Internet: https://www.piper.com/ technical-publications/. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329–4148. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 1, 2015. Pat Mullen, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS [FR Doc. 2015–30882 Filed 12–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2015–4474; Directorate Identifier 2015–NE–34–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan 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 Division (PW) PW4000–94 inch and PW4000–100 inch model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a crack find in the high-pressure compressor (HPC) disk. This proposed AD would require performing an ultrasonic inspection (USI) or an eddy current inspection (ECI) of the HPC 10th stage disk. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC 10th stage disk, an uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 8, 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 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. SUMMARY: Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:34 Dec 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 and locating Docket No. FAA–2015– 4474; 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 regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 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: 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: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 2015–4474; Directorate Identifier 2015– NE–34–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 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 NPRM. Discussion We propose to adopt a new AD for certain PW PW4000–94 inch turbofan engines with HPC 10th stage disk, part number (P/N) 51H710 or 53H976–06, installed and certain PW4000–100 inch turbofan engines with HPC 10th stage disk, P/N 53H976–06, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a crack find in the HPC 10th stage disk. The root cause of the crack was a manual polishing procedure, previously used during manufacture, that caused surface scratches on the disk. This proposed AD would require a USI or ECI of the HPC 10th stage disk. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC 10th stage disk, which could lead to an uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. E:\FR\FM\09DEP1.SGM 09DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 We reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW4G–100–A72– 255, dated August 31, 2015 and PW ASB No. PW4ENG A72–833, dated August 20, 2015. The ASBs provide lists of affected HPC disks and describe procedures for USI and ECI of the HPC 10th stage disk. 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 We are proposing this NPRM because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements This NPRM would require performing a USI or ECI of the HPC 10th stage disk. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD affects 763 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 12 hours per engine to do the inspection. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $778,260. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:34 Dec 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 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 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 76401 (ii) HPC 10th stage disk, P/N 53H976–06, with an S/N listed in Table 2 of PW ASB No. PW4ENG A72–833, dated August 20, 2015. (2) This AD also applies to all PW PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A, PW4164C, PW4164C/B, PW4170, PW4168A–1D, PW4168–1D, PW4164–1D, PW4164C–1D, and PW4164C/ B–1D turbofan engines with an HPC 10th stage disk, P/N 53H976–06, with an S/N listed Table 1 of PW ASB No. PW4G–100– A72–255, dated August 31, 2015, installed. (d) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a crack find in the HPC 10th stage disk. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC 10th stage disk, an uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. (e) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (1) Whenever the high-pressure turbine (HPT) or low-pressure turbine (LPT) is removed from the engine, perform an ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the HPC 10th stage disk for cracks. Remove from service any HPC 10th stage disk that fails inspection and replace with a part eligible for installation. (2) Whenever the HPC front drum rotor disk assembly is removed from the engine, perform an eddy current inspection (ECI) of the HPC 10th stage disk for cracks. Remove from service any HPC 10th stage disk that fails inspection and replace with a part eligible for installation. A USI as required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD is not required if an ECI is performed. (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): Pratt & Whitney Division: Docket No. FAA– 2015–4474; Directorate Identifier 2015– NE–34–AD. 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. (g) Related Information ■ (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by February 8, 2016. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) 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 one of the following installed: (i) High-pressure compressor (HPC) 10th stage disk, part number (P/N) 51H710, with a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 1 of PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW4ENG A72–833, dated August 20, 2015; or PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 (1) 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. (2) PW ASB No. PW4G–100–A72–255, dated August 31, 2015 and PW ASB No. PW4ENG A72–833, dated August 20, 2015, can be obtained from PW using the contact information in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. (3) 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. (4) 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. E:\FR\FM\09DEP1.SGM 09DEP1 76402 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 3, 2015. Colleen M. D’Alessandro, Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2015–30948 Filed 12–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2015–4076; Directorate Identifier 2015–NE–30–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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211–22B and RB211–524 turbofan engines with lowpressure turbine (LPT) support roller bearing, part number (P/N) LK30313 or P/N UL29651, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a breach of the turbine casing and release of engine debris. This proposed AD would require removal of certain LPT support roller bearings installed in RR RB211–22B and RB211–524 engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT support roller bearing, loss of radial position following LPT blade failure, uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 8, 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. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: 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– VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:34 Dec 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 4076; 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: Brian Kierstead, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238–7772; fax: 781–238– 7199; email: brian.kierstead@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–2015–4076; Directorate Identifier 2015–NE–30–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 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 proposed AD. Discussion The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2015– 0187, dated September 9, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: An RB211–524G2–T engine experienced an in-service event that resulted in breach of a turbine casing and some release of core engine debris through a hole in the engine nacelle. The investigation of the event determined the primary cause to have been fracture and release of a Low Pressure (LP) turbine stage 2 blade. The blade release caused secondary damage to the LP turbine, producing significant out-of-balance forces. The event engine was fitted with an LP turbine support bearing where the roller retention cage is constructed from two halves that are riveted together. The LP turbine imbalance resulted in an overload of the LP turbine support bearing and caused PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 separation of the riveted, two-piece roller retention cage. Radial location of the LP turbine shaft was lost, allowing further progression of the event that resulted in a breach of the IP turbine casing. RR introduced a modified LPT support roller bearing that can withstand greater loads when an LPT turbine blade release occurs, thereby preventing LPT rotor movement. 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– 4076. FAA’s Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the United Kingdom, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD would require removal from service of the affected LPT support bearings. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD affects 9 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate it would take 0 hours to comply with this proposed AD since the proposed actions required by the AD would be performed during a shop visit, when major engine flanges are separated, which requires the removal of the LPT support roller bearing. Therefore, no additional time is needed to remove it. Parts would cost about $8,184 per engine. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $73,656. 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 E:\FR\FM\09DEP1.SGM 09DEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76400-76402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30948]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4474; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-34-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan 
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 Division (PW) PW4000-94 inch and PW4000-100 
inch model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report 
of a crack find in the high-pressure compressor (HPC) disk. This 
proposed AD would require performing an ultrasonic inspection (USI) or 
an eddy current inspection (ECI) of the HPC 10th stage disk. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC 10th stage disk, an 
uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 8, 
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 
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-
4474; 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 regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street 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: 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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-4474; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-34-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 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for certain PW PW4000-94 inch turbofan 
engines with HPC 10th stage disk, part number (P/N) 51H710 or 53H976-
06, installed and certain PW4000-100 inch turbofan engines with HPC 
10th stage disk, P/N 53H976-06, installed. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report of a crack find in the HPC 10th stage disk. The 
root cause of the crack was a manual polishing procedure, previously 
used during manufacture, that caused surface scratches on the disk. 
This proposed AD would require a USI or ECI of the HPC 10th stage disk. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC 10th stage disk, 
which could lead to an uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane.

[[Page 76401]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW4G-100-A72-255, 
dated August 31, 2015 and PW ASB No. PW4ENG A72-833, dated August 20, 
2015. The ASBs provide lists of affected HPC disks and describe 
procedures for USI and ECI of the HPC 10th stage disk. 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

    We are proposing this NPRM because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This NPRM would require performing a USI or ECI of the HPC 10th 
stage disk.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 763 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
12 hours per engine to do the inspection. The average labor rate is $85 
per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $778,260.

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 Division: Docket No. FAA-2015-4474; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-NE-34-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 8, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) 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 one of the 
following installed:
    (i) High-pressure compressor (HPC) 10th stage disk, part number 
(P/N) 51H710, with a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 1 of PW 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW4ENG A72-833, dated August 20, 
2015; or
    (ii) HPC 10th stage disk, P/N 53H976-06, with an S/N listed in 
Table 2 of PW ASB No. PW4ENG A72-833, dated August 20, 2015.
    (2) This AD also applies to all PW PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A, 
PW4164C, PW4164C/B, PW4170, PW4168A-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4164-1D, 
PW4164C-1D, and PW4164C/B-1D turbofan engines with an HPC 10th stage 
disk, P/N 53H976-06, with an S/N listed Table 1 of PW ASB No. PW4G-
100-A72-255, dated August 31, 2015, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a crack find in the HPC 10th 
stage disk. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC 
10th stage disk, an uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Whenever the high-pressure turbine (HPT) or low-pressure 
turbine (LPT) is removed from the engine, perform an ultrasonic 
inspection (USI) of the HPC 10th stage disk for cracks. Remove from 
service any HPC 10th stage disk that fails inspection and replace 
with a part eligible for installation.
    (2) Whenever the HPC front drum rotor disk assembly is removed 
from the engine, perform an eddy current inspection (ECI) of the HPC 
10th stage disk for cracks. Remove from service any HPC 10th stage 
disk that fails inspection and replace with a part eligible for 
installation. A USI as required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD is 
not required if an ECI is performed.

(f) 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.

(g) Related Information

    (1) 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.
    (2) PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A72-255, dated August 31, 2015 and PW 
ASB No. PW4ENG A72-833, dated August 20, 2015, can be obtained from 
PW using the contact information in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.


[[Page 76402]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 3, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-30948 Filed 12-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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