[Federal Register: October 16, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 200)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 59531-59532]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16oc03-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NE-11-AD; Amendment 39-13338; AD 2003-21-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Models PW118,
PW120, PW120A, and PW121 Turboprop Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) models PW118, PW120, PW120A, and PW121
turboprop engines. This AD requires replacing the low pressure rotor
speed (NL) sensor port sealing tube and reworking or replacing the
external air tube connecting the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the rear
inlet case. This AD is prompted by a report of an internal oil fire in
the engine intercompressor case (ICC). A fire in the ICC could cause
the existing tubes to disengage due to melted brazing on the tubes.
Once these tubes disengage, the ICC fire then develops into an external
fire within the engine nacelle cavity. We are issuing this AD to
prevent fire in the engine nacelle cavity, in-flight engine shutdown,
and airplane damage.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 20, 2003. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the regulations as of November 20, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD
from Pratt & Whitney Canada, Technical Publications Department, 1000
Marie Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec J4G 1A1.
You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the FAA,
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7178; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies
to PWC models PW118, PW120, PW120A, and PW121 turboprop engines. We
published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on June 6, 2003 (68
FR 33885). That action proposed to require replacing the low pressure
rotor speed (NL) sensor port sealing tube and reworking or replacing
the external air tube connecting the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the
rear inlet case.
Corrections to Accomplishment Paragraph References in the Compliance
Since the issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), we
found that the Accomplishment paragraphs referenced in compliance
paragraphs (g), (h), (h)(1), and (h)(2) of the proposed rule are
incorrect because of a change in service bulletin revisions. This AD
corrects those Accomplishment paragraph references.
Comments
We provided the public with the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Request Credit for Compliance With Earlier Versions of Service Bulletin
Two commenters state that there is no reference in the NPRM to the
original service bulletin (SB) or any earlier revisions. The commenters
have received confirmation from the manufacturer that the original SB
and earlier revisions are technically equivalent to PWC SB No. 20914,
Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001. Therefore, they are requesting
that compliance with the original SB or any earlier revisions be
permitted as full compliance with the intent of the AD and that no
further action be required.
The FAA agrees. The AD is revised to add new compliance paragraph
(f). The regulatory section of this AD is renumbered from (e), (f),
(g), (h), (i), and (j) to (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), and (k).
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. That
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products,
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. The
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since the
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in
future AD actions.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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;
[[Page 59532]]
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-11-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration 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):
2003-21-03 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-13338. Docket No.
2003-NE-11-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective November 20, 2003.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) models
PW118, PW120, PW120A, and PW121 turboprop engines. These engines are
installed on, but not limited to, Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica
(EMBRAER) EMB-120RT, 120ER, and 120FC, Bombardier Inc. (formerly
Dehavilland of Canada) DHC-8-100 series, and Aerospatiale ATR 42-
200, -300, and -320 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is prompted by a report of an internal oil fire in
the engine intercompressor case (ICC). A fire in the ICC could cause
the existing tubes to disengage due to melted brazing on the tubes.
Once these tubes disengage, the ICC fire then develops into an
external fire within the engine nacelle cavity. We are issuing this
AD to prevent fire in the engine nacelle cavity, in-flight engine
shutdown, and airplane damage.
Compliance
(e) Compliance with this AD is required at the next engine shop
visit, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, unless already done.
Credit for Previous Replacements and Rework
(f) Replacements and rework performed before the effective date
of this AD, using PWC Service Bulletin (SB) No. 20914, Revision 4,
dated December 14, 2001, the original issue, or Revision 1, 2, or 3,
satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (g) through (h) of this AD.
Low Pressure Rotor Speed (NL) Sensor Port Sealing Tube
(g) Replace the low pressure rotor speed (NL) sensor port
sealing tube with an improved durability tube, in accordance with
paragraphs 3.A.(1) and 3.A.(2), Accomplishment Instructions of PWC
SB No. 20914, Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001.
Switching Valve-to-Rear Inlet Case Sealing Air Tube Assembly
(h) Remove the switching valve-to-rear inlet case sealing air
tube assembly, in accordance with paragraph 3.B.(1), Accomplishment
Instructions of PWC SB No. 20914, Revision 4, dated December 14,
2001, and do the following:
(1) Either install an improved durability switching valve-to-
rear inlet case sealing air tube assembly, in accordance with
paragraph 3.B.(9), Accomplishment Instructions of PWC SB No. 20914,
Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001; or
(2) Rework the switching valve-to-rear inlet case sealing air
tube assembly and install tube assembly, in accordance with
paragraphs 3.B.(2), 3.B.(4), and 3.B.(9), Accomplishment
Instructions of PWC SB No. 20914, Revision 4, dated December 14,
2001.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin No.
20914, Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001 to perform the actions
required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get a
copy from Pratt & Whitney Canada, Technical Publications Department,
1000 Marie Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec J4G 1A1. You can review
copies at FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
Related Information
(k) Transport Canada airworthiness directive No. CF-2002-10,
dated January 28, 2002, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 6, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25865 Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]
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