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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 207 (Thursday, October 25, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65142-65144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26277]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1005; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-27-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6C-67C turboshaft 
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by five reported incidents of 
second stage power turbine (PT) disk damage. This proposed AD would 
require initial and repetitive borescope inspections to verify the 
presence of a retaining ring securing the PT baffle located near the 
second stage PT disk. If the engine fails the inspection, this proposed 
AD would also require removing the engine from service before further 
flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent damage to the PT disk 
which, if undetected, could cause uncontained PT disk failure and loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 24, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, 
Canada, J4G 1A1; phone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888; Web site: 
www.pwc.ca. You may review copies of the referenced 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 http://www.regulations.gov; 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 regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is the 
same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: 
james.lawrence@faa.gov; phone: 781-238-7176; fax: 781-238-7199.

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-2012-1005; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-27-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 http://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. Using the search 
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any 
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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).

Discussion

    The Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, 
has issued Canada AD CF-2012-24, dated August 2, 2012 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    There have been 5 reported incidents of second stage Power 
Turbine (PT) disk damage caused by the PT baffle moving and 
contacting the downstream side of the second stage PT disk. In two 
of these incidents, the PT section of the engine failed to rotate 
(on ground) as a result of baffle interference.
    An investigation has determined that the root cause for the PT 
baffle displacement and the resultant PT disk damage was due to the 
failure of the retaining ring that holds the PT baffle in its 
intended position.

This proposed AD would only apply to P&WC PT6C-67C turboshaft engines 
that have not had P&WC Service Bulletin No. PT6C-72-41056 incorporated. 
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    P&WC has issued Alert Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6C-72-A41060, 
Revision 2, dated February 10, 2012. P&WC has also issued SB No. PT6C-
72-41056, Revision 4, dated February 13, 2012. The actions described in 
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Canada, 
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 
bilateral agreement with Canada, they have notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced 
above. We are issuing this proposed AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by Canada and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

[[Page 65143]]

    This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive borescope 
inspections to verify the presence of a retaining ring securing the PT 
baffle located near the second stage PT disk. If the engine fails the 
inspection, this proposed AD would also require removing the engine 
from service before further flight.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    This proposed AD would not require engine modification at the next 
scheduled overhaul, as the MCAI requires. This proposed AD would 
require different inspection intervals from the MCAI. We changed the 
inspection intervals to ensure that our proposed AD is clear for U.S. 
operators.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 220 engines 
installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
would take about six hours per engine to perform one inspection 
required by this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
We anticipate that two engines would fail the initial inspection. 
Required parts would cost about $224,636 per engine. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $561,472. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible warranty 
coverage.

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); 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (formerly Pratt & Whitney Canada Inc.): 
Docket No. FAA-2012-1005; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-27-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 24, 2012.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6C-67C 
turboshaft engines that have not had P&WC Service Bulletin No. PT6C-
72-41056 incorporated.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by five reported incidents of second stage 
power turbine (PT) disk damage. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
damage to the PT disk which, if undetected, could cause uncontained 
PT disk failure and loss of control of the helicopter.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.

(f) Borescope Inspections

    (1) Borescope-inspect to verify the presence of a retaining ring 
securing the PT baffle located near the second stage PT disk, as 
follows:
    (i) For engines with 2,200 PT cycles or more on the effective 
date of this AD, inspect within 100 operating hours or 150 PT 
cycles, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For engines with more than 1,400 PT cycles but fewer than 
2,200 PT cycles on the effective date of this AD, inspect within 250 
operating hours, 350 PT cycles, or before exceeding 2,350 PT cycles, 
whichever occurs first.
    (iii) For engines with 1,400 PT cycles or fewer on the effective 
date of this AD, inspect within 500 operating hours, 750 PT cycles, 
or before exceeding 1,750 PT cycles, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Thereafter, repetitively borescope-inspect to verify the 
presence of the retaining ring securing the PT baffle located near 
the second stage PT disk, on or before an additional 600 flight 
hours or 900 PT cycles, whichever occurs first.
    (3) Use P&WC Alert SB No. PT6C-72-A41060, Revision 2, dated 
February 10, 2012, paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(6) to do the 
borescope inspections required by this AD.
    (4) If the retaining ring is missing or the PT baffle is out of 
position; then remove the engine from service before further flight.

(g) Optional Terminating Action

    Performing the engine improvement modifications in P&WC SB No. 
PT6C-72-41056, Revision 4, dated February 13, 2012, paragraphs 3.A. 
through 3.C.(12) and 3.E.(1) through 3.E.(15), is an optional 
terminating action to the repetitive inspections required by this 
AD.

(h) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (1) If you performed the initial borescope inspection before the 
effective date of this AD using P&WC Special Instruction No. 45-
2011R2, dated July 27, 2011, or P&WC Alert SB No. PT6C-72-A41060, 
dated August 12, 2011, or Revision 1, dated September 29, 2011, you 
met the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (2) If you performed the engine modification in P&WC SB No. 
PT6C-72-41056, dated April 1, 2011, or Revision 1, dated June 17, 
2011, or Revision 2, dated October 6, 2011, or Rrevision 3, dated 
February 3, 2012, you met the requirements of this AD and further 
action is not required.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James Lawrence, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; email: james.lawrence@faa.gov; phone: 781-238-7176; fax: 781-
238-7199.

[[Page 65144]]

    (2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2012-24, dated August 2, 
2012, for related information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, 
Canada, J4G 1A1; phone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888; Web site: 
www.pwc.ca. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 16, 2012.
Carlos Pestana,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26277 Filed 10-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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