DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[4910-13-P] 

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1130; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-04-AD; Amendment 

39-18250; AD 2015-17-17] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Ainvorthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & 

Whitney (PW) PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D and PW4170 engines, and 

certain PW 4164, PW 4168, and PW 4168A turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by 

fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply manifold interface fuel leaks. Thjs AD requires inspecting fuel 

nozzles for signs of leakage, replacing hardware as required, and torqueing to specified 

requirement. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks which could result in engine 

fire and damage to the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a 

certain publication listed in this AD as of [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

ADDRESSES: For service infom1ation identified in this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney, 

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. It is also available on the Intemet at 

http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014- 1130. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on the lntemet at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. F AA-20 14-1130; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 

800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department ofTransportation, 

Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katheryn Malatek, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burli ngton, MA 01803; phone: 78 1-238-7747; fax: 781 -238-

7199; email: katheryn.malatek@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 all PW PW4164-l D, PW4168-1 D, PW4168A-1D and 

PW4170 engines, and certai n PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A turbofan engines. The 

NPRM published in the Federal Register on April2 1, 20 15 (80 FR 22140). The NPRM 

was prompted by reports of four fuel nozzle leaks in service and an additional six fuel 

nozzle leaks found during shop visits. The root cause is inadequate torque of the fuel 

nozzle-to-fuel supply manifold B-nuts for the temperatures that the fuel nozzles 

experience. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting fuel nozzles for signs of leakage, 

replacing hardware as required, and torqueing B-nuts to specified requirement. We are 

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issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks which could result in engine tire and damage to the 

airplane. 

Related Service Information under CFR part 51 

We reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW4G-100-A73-44, Revision 

I , dated February 12, 2015. This ASB describes procedures for fuel supply manifold 

inspection andre-torque of the B-nut coru1ection. 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 AD. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The 

following presents the comments received on the NPRM (80 FR 22140, April 21, 2015) 

and the FAA's response to each comment. 

Request to Change Referenced Service Information 

Korean Air requested that this AD mandate following PW ASB No. PW4G-100-

A73-44 Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015 instead ofPW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-

44, dated October 10, 2014. Korean Air would like to receive credit for service 

performed in accordance with the latest revision of the ASB. 

We agree. We changed this AD to include PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44 

Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015 and added a Credit for Previous Action section to 

provide credit when PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, dated October 10,2014 is 

followed, before the effective date of this AD. 

Request to Add Service Information 

Korean Air requested that engines incorporating Special Instruction (SI) 129F-14 

meet the requirement for compliance with this AD since SI 129F-14 provides the same 

instructions as PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, dated October 10, 2014 and PW ASB 

No. PW4G-100-A73-44 Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015. 

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We agree. We added SI l 29F -14 to the Credit for Previous Action section. 

Request to Change Mandatory Terminating Action 

Korean Air requested that the Mandatory Terminating Action section be changed 

to state that the actions listed are closing actions to the repetitive inspections defined in 

the Compliance section. 

We agree. We changed the Mandatory Terminating Action section by adding, "As 

tem1inating action to the repetitive inspection requirements in paragraph (e)( I) of this AD 

do the following:". 

Request to Change Applicability 

PW requested that engines incorporating PW Service Bulletin (SB) No. PW4G1 00-72-220, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2011 be added to the Applicability section. 

We disagree. Engines incorporating PW SB No. PW4G-1 00-72-220, Revision 4, 

dated September 30, 2011 are identified in the Applicability section by model 

designation. We did not change this AD. 

Request to Redefine "Cycles" 

PW requested that the definition of cycles be changed from "cycles since new or 

cycles since the incorporation ofPW SB No. PW4G-100-72-214, dated December 15, 

201 1 or SB No. PW4G-100-72-219, Revision!, dated October 5, 201 I" to "since new 

(1 st run) or since last torque application to the B-nuts on the fuel nozzle install ation." The 

justification for this request is that the B-nuts could have been torqued subsequent to the 

incorporation of the service bulletins. 

We agree. We changed the Definition paragraph to define cycles as " ... since new 

or cycles since last torque application to the B-nuts on the fuel nozzle installation." 

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Request to Change Compliance Time 

Asiana Airlines requested that the compliance time listed in this AD match the 

dates listed in the ASB. Asiana believes the compliance time listed in thjs AD is more 

restrictive than the dates listed in the ASB. 

We disagree. Using cycles since the effective date of this AD instead of calendar 

dates provides greater fleet management flexibility to the operator while acceptably 

resolving the unsafe condition. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD with the 

changes described previously. 

We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on 

any operator or increase the scope of thjs AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD would affect about 72 engines installed on airplanes of 

U.S. registry. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We estimate that parts replacement 

will cost about $1 ,356 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD 

on U.S. operators to be $391 ,392. 

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 1 06, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. 

Subtitle Vll: 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 Ul, Section 44701: "General requirements." Under that section, Congress 

charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by 

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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 

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This 

AD wi ll 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 govemment. 

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: 

(I) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a "significant rule" under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

( 44 FR II 034, 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 criteri a 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 

I. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

Authori ty: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 401 13,44701. 

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§ 39.13 [Amended) 

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

(AD): 

2015-17-17 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-18250; Docket No. FAA-2014-1130; 

Directorate Identifier 20 15-NE-04-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4164-1D, PW4168-ID, 

PW4168A-1D and PW4170 engines; and all PW4164, PW4168, and PW4168A turbofan 

engines that have incorporated either PW Service Bulletin (SB) No. PW4G-100-72-214, 

dated December 15, 2011 orPW SB No. PW4G-100-72-219, Revision 1, dated October 

5, 2011. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by fi1el nozzle-to-fuel supply manifold interface fuel 

leaks. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks which could result in engine fire and 

damage to the airplane. 

(e) Compliance 

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

(1) Within 800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, and within every 

800 flight hours since last inspection thereafter, inspect all fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply 

manifold interfaces for evidence of fuel leaks, soot, and coke formation. Use the 

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Accomplishment Instructions, Part A, ofPW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. PW4G100-A73-44, Revision l , dated February 12, 2015 to do the inspections. 

(2) Replace hardware that fails an inspection. Use the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part A, ofPW ASB No. PW4G- 100-A73-44, Revision 1, dated February 12, 

2015 to do the replacement. 

(f) Mandatory Terminating Action 

As tetminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements in paragraph (e)( I) 

of this AD do the following: 

(1) Inspect all fuel nozzle-to-fuel supply manifo ld interfaces for fuel leaks, soot, 

and coke fonnation, replace hardware that fails inspection, andre-torque all fuel nozzleto-fuel supply manifold B-nuts as follows: 

(i) For engines with fewer than 1,500 cycles on the effective date of this AD, 

before accumulating another 650 cycles, not to exceed 1,900 cycles. 

(ii) For engines with 1 ,500 cycles or more, but less than 2,500 cycles on the 

effective date of this AD, before accumulating another 400 cycles, not to exceed 2,700 

cycles. 

(iii) For engines with 2,500 cycles or more on the effective date of this AD, 

before accumulating another 200 cycles. 

(2) Use the Accomplishment Tnstructions, Parts B through E, of PW ASB No. 

PW4G-100-A73-44, Revision 1, dated February 12,2015 to do the inspection, 

replacement, and retorqueing. 

(g) Credit for Previous Action 

This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraphs (e) and (f) 

of this AD, if the actions were performed before the effective date of this AD, using the 

procedures specified in PW ASB No. PW 40-1 00-A 73-44, dated October I 0, 2014 or 

Special Instruction 129F-14. 

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(h) Definition 

For the purpose of this AD "cycles" is defined as cycles since new or cycles since 

last torque application to the B-nuts on the fuel nozzle installation. 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

!\D. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. You may email 

your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. 

U) Related T nformation 

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-

7 199; email: katheryn.malatek@faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

( I) 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) PW ASB No. PW4G-100-A73-44, Revision I, dated February 12, 2015. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For PW service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney, 

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 ofthis material at the FAA, call 781-238-71 25. 

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(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, ca ll 202-74 1-6030, or go to: 

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 18, 2015. 

Diane S. Romanosky, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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