Airworthiness directives: Pratt & Whitney,

[Federal Register: May 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 97)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 28459-28461]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr21my07-6]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27230; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-04-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PW PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A turbofan engines with certain low pressure turbine (LPT) stage 4 disks, part number (P/N) 51N404, installed. This proposed AD would require removing certain LPT stage 4 disks, listed by serial number at the next piece-part exposure or within 7,500 cycles-since-new (CSN), whichever occurs first. This proposed AD results from a report of improperly manufactured LPT stage 4 disks. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontained engine failure due to low-cycle fatigue (LCF), which could result in damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed AD.

DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.

Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.

Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

You may examine the comments on this proposed AD in the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: V. Rose Len, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238- 7772; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-27230; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-04-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy

[[Page 28460]]

aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.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. Using the search function of the DOT Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments received and, any final disposition in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management Facility receives them.

Discussion

On September 29, 2006, we received a report of 16 LPT stage 4 disks, P/N 51N404, manufactured with an improper material process. The disks were not properly heat treated during the manufacturing process. The manufacturer solution-heat treated the disks for one hour instead of the four hours required. We believe this manufacturing discrepancy will result in reduced LCF properties for the disks. Operating the affected disks to the certified life limit could result in uncontained failure of the disk due to LCF. Although we have received no reports of disk separations, this condition, if not corrected, could result in the disk separating from the engine due to LCF, which could result in damage to the airplane.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design. We are proposing this AD, which would require removing certain LPT stage 4 disks, P/N 51N404, listed by serial number in the proposed AD, at the next piece-part exposure, or within 7,500 CSN, whichever occurs first.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 11 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 250 work-hours per engine to perform the proposed action, if not done at piece-part exposure, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $186,288 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $2,269,168.

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 have 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 that the proposed AD:

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); and

3. Would 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD. You may get a copy of this summary at the address listed under ADDRESSES.

   List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

   Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

   The Proposed Amendment

   Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration 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.

   Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

   Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. FAA-2007-27230; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-04-AD.

   Comments Due Date

   (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by July 20, 2007.

   Affected ADs

   (b) None.

   Applicability

   (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A turbofan engines with certain low pressure turbine (LPT) stage 4 disks, part number (P/N) 51N404, that have a serial number listed in the following Table 1 of this AD installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes.

   Table 1.--Affected LPT Stage 4 Disks by Serial Number

   LPT stage 4 disk serial numbers

   CLDLC01142 CLDLC01143 CLDLC01144 CLDLC01145 CLDLC01146 CLDLC01148 CLDLC01149 CLDLC01150 CLDLC01151 CLDLC01152 CLDLC01181 CLDLC01182 CLDLC01183 CLDLC01185 CLDLC01186 CLDLC01187

   [[Page 28461]]

   Unsafe Condition

   (d) This AD results from a report of improperly manufactured LPT stage 4 disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained engine failure due to low-cycle fatigue, which could result in damage to the airplane.

   Compliance

   (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed at the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD or within 7,500 cycles-since-new, unless the actions have already been done.

   Removing the LPT Stage 4 Disk

   (f) Remove from service any LPT stage 4 disk that has a serial number listed in Table 1 of this AD.

   Prohibition Against Installing an Affected Disk

   (g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any disk, P/N 51N404, that has a serial number listed in Table 1 of this AD or any disk removed as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD except as allowed by paragraph (h) of this AD.

   Alternative Methods of Compliance

   (h) 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.

   Special Flight Permits

   (i) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are prohibiting the special flight permits for this AD.

   Related Information

   (j) None.

   Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 11, 2007. Peter A. White, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. E7-9697 Filed 5-18-07; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P