Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Turbofan Engines, 4320-4323 [2019-02453]

Download as PDF 4320 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 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): ■ 2019–01–08 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39–19547; Docket No. FAA–2018–0581; Product Identifier 2018–NM–029–AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective March 22, 2019. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, and –300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–25–0649, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that showed a non-compliance exists on some inservice galley attendant seat fitting installations. We are issuing this AD to address non-compliant flight attendant seats, which could fail in a high-G crash and result in potential injury to flight attendants and consequent inability of the flight attendants to assist with passenger evacuation in a timely manner. khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Within 6 years after the effective date of this AD, do all applicable actions identified as ‘‘RC’’ (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–25–0649, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:03 Feb 14, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/ certificate holding district office. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled as RC, the provisions of paragraphs (h)(4)(i) and (h)(4)(ii) of this AD apply. (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ‘‘RC Exempt,’’ then the RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and identified figures. (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator’s maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. (i) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Allison Buss, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3564; email: Allison.Buss@faa.gov. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777–25–0649, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600; PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 telephone 562–797–1717; internet https:// www.myboeingfleet.com. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: https:// www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on January 28, 2019. Michael Kaszycki, Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2019–02159 Filed 2–14–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2018–0826; Product Identifier 2018–NE–27; Amendment 39– 19553; AD 2019–03–01] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Turbofan Engines Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090–3 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an in-flight failure of a 1ststage low-pressure compressor (LPC) blade. This AD requires initial and repetitive thermal acoustic imaging (TAI) inspections for cracks in certain 1st-stage LPC blades and removal of those blades that fail inspection. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective March 22, 2019. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 22, 2019. ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, contact Pratt & Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT, 06118; phone: 800– 565–0140; fax: 860–565–5442; email: help24@pw.utc.com. You may view this SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\15FER1.SGM 15FER1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2019 / Rules and Regulations service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238– 7759. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0826. 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–2018– 0826; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800–647–5527) is 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: JoAnn Theriault, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238–7105; fax: 781–238–7199; email: jo-ann.theriault@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 certain PW PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090–3 turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2018 (83 FR 50862). The NPRM was prompted by an in-flight failure of a 1ststage LPC blade. The NPRM proposed to require initial and repetitive TAI inspections for cracks in certain 1ststage LPC blades and removal of those blades that fail inspection. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Comments We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA’s response to each comment. Request To Give Credit for Earlier Revisions of PW ASB PW and Japan Airlines (JAL) requested that we revise the Credit for Previous Actions paragraph of this AD to give credit for revisions of Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G–112–A72–268, earlier than Revision No. 6, dated August 5, 2014. PW and JAL reason that TAI inspections performed using earlier revisions of the PW ASB meet the requirements of this AD. We agree. We revised the Credit for Previous Actions paragraph of this AD to give credit for accomplishing the initial TAI inspection if operators used Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G–112–A72– 268, Revision No. 6, dated August 5, 2014, or earlier revisions, because this meets the intended safety requirements of this AD. Request To Clarify Installation Prohibition PW and JAL requested that we revise the Installation Prohibition paragraph to align with the wording in Table 1, Step 3, of Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G–112– A72–268, Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 2018, which states, ‘‘All blades that have never been TAI inspected but have accumulated greater than 1,000 cycles must be inspected prior to December 31, 2027.’’ JAL reasoned that the intent of the Installation Prohibition is the same as the PW ASB. JAL also requested that we define ‘‘install 1st-stage LPC blade’’ and clarify that the Installation Prohibition paragraph does not prohibit removing and reinstalling 1st-stage LPC blades for the purpose of relubrication. We partially agree. We agree that the intent of the Installation Prohibition section in the NPRM was the same as the PW ASB. We also agree that 1ststage LPC blades that are removed solely for relubrication do not need to be inspected before reinstallation because this AD intends to inspect 1st-stage LPC blades at every M-flange separation. We do not agree, however, to modify the 4321 Installation Prohibition paragraph as we have determined that this paragraph is unnecessary because the AD already requires the initial inspections at specific thresholds. These thresholds provide an acceptable level of safety. We removed the Installation Prohibition paragraph from this AD. Support for the AD The Air Line Pilots Association, Boeing Company, and the National Transportation Safety Board expressed support for the NPRM as written. Conclusion We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule with the changes described previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes: • Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and • Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final rule. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 We reviewed Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G–112–A72–268, Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 2018. The PW ASB describes procedures for performing 1ststage LPC blade TAI inspections. 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. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD affects 120 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES ESTIMATED COSTS Action Labor cost Inspection ................................ 22 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,870 ................................ We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements that would VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:03 Feb 14, 2019 Jkt 247001 be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Cost per product Parts cost Sfmt 4700 $0 $1,870 Cost on U.S. operators $224,400 determining the number of aircraft that might need these replacements: E:\FR\FM\15FER1.SGM 15FER1 4322 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2019 / Rules and Regulations ON-CONDITION COSTS Action Labor cost Replace 1st-stage LPC blade ...................................... 0 work-hours × $85 per hour = $0 ............................... khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES 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. This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division. 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, and (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:03 Feb 14, 2019 Jkt 247001 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): ■ 2019–03–01 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39–19553; Docket No. FAA–2018–0826; Product Identifier 2018–NE–27–AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective March 22, 2019. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090– 3 turbofan engines, with 1st-stage lowpressure compressor (LPC) blade, part numbers 52A241, 55A801, 55A801–001, 55A901, 55A901–001, 56A201, 56A201–001, or 56A221, installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by an uncontained 1st-stage LPC blade failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 1st-stage LPC blade. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained blade release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Parts cost $125,000 Cost per product $125,000 (g) Required Actions (1) After the effective date of this AD, perform an initial thermal acoustic imaging (TAI) inspection of the 1st-stage LPC blades as follows: (i) For 1st-stage LPC blades that have accumulated fewer than 6,500 cycles since new (CSN), perform a TAI inspection the next time the engine is separated at the Mflange, or prior to the 1st-stage LPC blade accumulating 7,000 CSN, whichever occurs first. (ii) For 1st-stage LPC blades that have accumulated 6,500 or more CSN, or if the cycles since the blade was new cannot be determined, or if the cycles since the blade was last TAI inspected cannot be determined, perform a TAI inspection within 500 flight cycles or 180 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. (2) Thereafter, perform a TAI inspection of 1st-stage LPC blades every time the engine is separated at the M-flange and the blades have accumulated 1,000 or more flight cycles since the last TAI inspection, not to exceed 6,500 flight cycles since the last TAI inspection. (3) If any 1st-stage LPC blade fails the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, remove the blade from service and replace with a part eligible for installation before further flight. (4) The TAI inspection and disposition required for compliance with this AD must be accomplished by a method approved by the FAA. You can find a vendor that has an FAA-approved TAI inspection listed in the Vendor Services Section of Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G–112– A72–268, Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 2018. (h) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the initial TAI inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you performed the TAI inspection before the effective date of this AD using Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G–112–A72–268, Revision No. 6, dated August 5, 2014, or earlier revisions. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@ faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager E:\FR\FM\15FER1.SGM 15FER1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 32 / Friday, February 15, 2019 / Rules and Regulations of the local flight standards district office/ certificate holding district office. (j) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Jo-Ann Theriault, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781– 238–7105; fax: 781–238–7199; email: joann.theriault@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on March 22, 2019. (i) Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW4G–112–A72–268, Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 2018. (ii) [Reserved]. (4) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT, 06118; phone: 800–565–0140; fax: 860–565– 5442; email: help24@pw.utc.com. (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7759. (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: https:// www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 7, 2019. Robert J. Ganley, Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2019–02453 Filed 2–14–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 20 CFR Parts 404, 408, and 416 [Docket No. SSA–2015–0006] RIN 0960–AH78 khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES Prohibiting Persons With Certain Criminal Convictions From Serving as Representative Payees Social Security Administration. Final rules. AGENCY: ACTION: We are finalizing our proposed regulations on conducting background checks to prohibit persons convicted of certain crimes from serving as representative payees under the SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:03 Feb 14, 2019 Jkt 247001 Social Security Act (Act), as required by the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018. DATES: These final rules will be effective March 18, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Salamone, Office of Income Security Programs, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235–6401, (410) 966–0854. For information on eligibility or filing for benefits, call our national toll-free number, 1–800–772– 1213 or TTY 1–800–325–0778, or visit our internet site, Social Security Online, at https://www.socialsecurity.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Representative payees manage benefit payments for beneficiaries or recipients who are incapable, due to a mental or physical impairment, of managing their Social Security, Special Veterans Benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, or of directing another person to manage those payments. Generally, if a beneficiary or recipient is under age 18, we will pay benefits to a representative payee; however, in certain situations, we make direct payments to a beneficiary under age 18 who shows the ability to manage the benefits.1 In cases where the beneficiary or recipient is 18 years or older, we select a representative payee if we believe that payment of benefits through a representative payee, rather than direct payment to the beneficiary, will better serve the beneficiary’s interest. A representative payee may be an organization, such as a social service agency, or a person, such as a parent, relative, or friend of the beneficiary. We require a representative payee to use benefits in the beneficiary’s best interest and, with certain exceptions, to report expenditures to us to ensure the representative payee is using funds appropriately.2 When a person or an organization requests to serve as a representative payee, we investigate the potential 1 We use the word ‘‘beneficiary’’ to include both beneficiaries and recipients. 2 Representative payees may receive an annual Representative Payee Report to account for the benefit payments received. In accordance with section 102 of the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018, Public Law 115–165, 132 Stat. 1257, 1260, we no longer require the following payees to complete an annual Representative Payee Report: (1) Natural or adoptive parents of a minor child beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household as the child; (2) a legal guardian of a minor child beneficiary who primarily resides in the same household as the child; (3) Natural or adoptive parents of a disabled adult beneficiary who primarily reside in the same household with the beneficiary; and (4) the spouse of a beneficiary. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 4323 representative payee to help ensure that the person or organization will perform the duties of a representative payee responsibly. We look at factors such as the potential representative payee’s relationship to the beneficiary, any past performance as a representative payee for other beneficiaries, and any criminal history. On April 13, 2018, the President signed into law the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018.3 Section 202 of the law 4 codifies our current policy to conduct criminal background checks on representative payee applicants and to prohibit the selection of certain representative payee applicants who have a felony conviction of committing, attempting, or conspiring to commit certain crimes.5 In addition, the new law requires that we conduct criminal background checks on all currently serving representative payees who do not meet one of the exceptions set out in the law, and continue to do so at least once every five years.6 On October 11, 2018, we published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register.7 In the NPRM, we proposed to codify the requirements of section 202 to conduct background checks on representative payee applicants and to prohibit those representative payee applicants and representative payees with the statutorily enumerated felony convictions 8 from serving as a 3 Public Law 115–165, 132 Stat. 1257. Stat. at 1267. 5 Section 202(d) of the law, 132 Stat. at 1271, provides that the requirements of section 202 ‘‘shall apply with respect to any individual appointed to serve as a representative payee pursuant to section 205(j), 807, or 1631(a)(2) of the Social Security Act on or after January 1, 2019.’’ 6 Section 202(e) of Public Law 115–165, 132 Stat. at 1271–72. We may not apply these prohibitions as an absolute bar to serving as a representative payee if the representative payee applicant is the custodial parent of the minor child beneficiary, custodial parent of a beneficiary who is under a disability which began before the beneficiary attained age 22, custodial spouse of the beneficiary, custodial grandparent of the minor child beneficiary, custodial court-appointed guardian of the beneficiary, parent who was previously the representative payee for his or her minor child who since turned age 18 and continued to be eligible for benefits; or if the representative payee applicant received a Presidential or gubernatorial pardon for the conviction. 7 83 FR 51400. https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/2018/10/11/2018-22168/prohibitingpersons-with-certain-criminalconvictions-fromserving-as-representative-payees. 8 We proposed to add a new paragraph to §§ 404.2022 and 416.622 of our regulations to reflect the felony prohibitions in the legislation. We are prohibited from selecting representative payee applicants with a felony conviction of: (1) Human trafficking, (2) false imprisonment, (3) kidnapping, (4) rape and sexual assault, (5) first-degree 4 132 E:\FR\FM\15FER1.SGM Continued 15FER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4320-4323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02453]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0826; Product Identifier 2018-NE-27; Amendment 39-
19553; AD 2019-03-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, 
PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by 
an in-flight failure of a 1st-stage low-pressure compressor (LPC) 
blade. This AD requires initial and repetitive thermal acoustic imaging 
(TAI) inspections for cracks in certain 1st-stage LPC blades and 
removal of those blades that fail inspection. We are issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 22, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 22, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Pratt & Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT, 
06118; phone: 800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442; email: 
help24@pw.utc.com. You may view this

[[Page 4321]]

service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0826.

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-2018-
0826; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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: Jo-Ann Theriault, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7105; fax: 781-238-7199; email: jo-ann.theriault@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 certain PW PW4074, PW4074D, 
PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2018 (83 FR 
50862). The NPRM was prompted by an in-flight failure of a 1st-stage 
LPC blade. The NPRM proposed to require initial and repetitive TAI 
inspections for cracks in certain 1st-stage LPC blades and removal of 
those blades that fail inspection. We are issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Give Credit for Earlier Revisions of PW ASB

    PW and Japan Airlines (JAL) requested that we revise the Credit for 
Previous Actions paragraph of this AD to give credit for revisions of 
Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-112-A72-268, earlier 
than Revision No. 6, dated August 5, 2014. PW and JAL reason that TAI 
inspections performed using earlier revisions of the PW ASB meet the 
requirements of this AD.
    We agree. We revised the Credit for Previous Actions paragraph of 
this AD to give credit for accomplishing the initial TAI inspection if 
operators used Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G-112-A72-268, Revision No. 6, 
dated August 5, 2014, or earlier revisions, because this meets the 
intended safety requirements of this AD.

Request To Clarify Installation Prohibition

    PW and JAL requested that we revise the Installation Prohibition 
paragraph to align with the wording in Table 1, Step 3, of Pratt & 
Whitney ASB PW4G-112-A72-268, Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 2018, 
which states, ``All blades that have never been TAI inspected but have 
accumulated greater than 1,000 cycles must be inspected prior to 
December 31, 2027.'' JAL reasoned that the intent of the Installation 
Prohibition is the same as the PW ASB.
    JAL also requested that we define ``install 1st-stage LPC blade'' 
and clarify that the Installation Prohibition paragraph does not 
prohibit removing and reinstalling 1st-stage LPC blades for the purpose 
of relubrication.
    We partially agree. We agree that the intent of the Installation 
Prohibition section in the NPRM was the same as the PW ASB. We also 
agree that 1st-stage LPC blades that are removed solely for 
relubrication do not need to be inspected before reinstallation because 
this AD intends to inspect 1st-stage LPC blades at every M-flange 
separation. We do not agree, however, to modify the Installation 
Prohibition paragraph as we have determined that this paragraph is 
unnecessary because the AD already requires the initial inspections at 
specific thresholds. These thresholds provide an acceptable level of 
safety. We removed the Installation Prohibition paragraph from this AD.

Support for the AD

    The Air Line Pilots Association, Boeing Company, and the National 
Transportation Safety Board expressed support for the NPRM as written.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the changes described previously and minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G-112-A72-268, Revision No. 7, 
dated September 6, 2018. The PW ASB describes procedures for performing 
1st-stage LPC blade TAI inspections. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 120 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.........................  22 work-hours x $85 per                  $0          $1,870        $224,400
                                      hour = $1,870.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
these replacements:

[[Page 4322]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace 1st-stage LPC blade................  0 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0...        $125,000        $125,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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, 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):

2019-03-01 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-19553; Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0826; Product Identifier 2018-NE-27-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 22, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, 
PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan 
engines, with 1st-stage low-pressure compressor (LPC) blade, part 
numbers 52A241, 55A801, 55A801-001, 55A901, 55A901-001, 56A201, 
56A201-001, or 56A221, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an uncontained 1st-stage LPC blade 
failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 1st-stage 
LPC blade. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
uncontained blade release, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) After the effective date of this AD, perform an initial 
thermal acoustic imaging (TAI) inspection of the 1st-stage LPC 
blades as follows:
    (i) For 1st-stage LPC blades that have accumulated fewer than 
6,500 cycles since new (CSN), perform a TAI inspection the next time 
the engine is separated at the M-flange, or prior to the 1st-stage 
LPC blade accumulating 7,000 CSN, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For 1st-stage LPC blades that have accumulated 6,500 or 
more CSN, or if the cycles since the blade was new cannot be 
determined, or if the cycles since the blade was last TAI inspected 
cannot be determined, perform a TAI inspection within 500 flight 
cycles or 180 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first.
    (2) Thereafter, perform a TAI inspection of 1st-stage LPC blades 
every time the engine is separated at the M-flange and the blades 
have accumulated 1,000 or more flight cycles since the last TAI 
inspection, not to exceed 6,500 flight cycles since the last TAI 
inspection.
    (3) If any 1st-stage LPC blade fails the inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, remove the blade from service 
and replace with a part eligible for installation before further 
flight.
    (4) The TAI inspection and disposition required for compliance 
with this AD must be accomplished by a method approved by the FAA. 
You can find a vendor that has an FAA-approved TAI inspection listed 
in the Vendor Services Section of Pratt & Whitney Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-112-A72-268, Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 
2018.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the initial TAI inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you performed the TAI inspection 
before the effective date of this AD using Pratt & Whitney ASB PW4G-
112-A72-268, Revision No. 6, dated August 5, 2014, or earlier 
revisions.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. You may email your request 
to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager

[[Page 4323]]

of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jo-Ann Theriault, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7105; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
jo-ann.theriault@faa.gov.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 22, 2019.
    (i) Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW4G-112-A72-268, 
Revision No. 7, dated September 6, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved].
    (4) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this 
AD, contact Pratt & Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT, 06118; phone: 800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442; email: 
help24@pw.utc.com.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 7, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-02453 Filed 2-14-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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