77380 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 

Issued in Burlington, MA, on December 5, 

2011. 

Peter A. White, 

Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–31797 Filed 12–12–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1298; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NE–39–AD; Amendment 39– 

16888; AD 2011–25–12] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & 

Whitney Canada Turboprop Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & 

Whitney Canada PT6A–15AG, –27, –28, 

–34, –34AG, –34B, and –36 series 

turboprop engines. This AD requires the 

removal of certain affected part 

manufacturer approval (PMA) 

replacement Timken Alcor Aerospace 

Technologies, Inc. (TAATI) first stage 

reduction sun gears and/or the 

interacting planetary gear sets from the 

propeller reduction gearbox assembly. 

This AD was prompted by a failure 

report of a certain TAATI PMA sun gear, 

installed since December 22, 2008. We 

are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 

the sun gear, which will result in an 

engine in-flight shut down, possible 

uncontained engine failure, aircraft 

damage, and serious injuries. 

DATES: This AD is effective December 

28, 2011. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of December 28, 2011. 

We must receive any comments on 

this AD by January 27, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Timken Alcor 

Aerospace Technologies, Inc., 3110 N. 

Oakland, Mesa, Arizona 85215; phone: 

(480) 632–1039; Web site: http:// 

www.timken.com/mro. 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 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 street address for 

the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647– 

5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul 

Craig, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles 

Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 

Paramount Blvd., Suite 100, Lakewood, 

CA 90712; phone: (562) 627–5252; fax: 

(562) 627–5210; email: 

paul.craig@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On October 12, 2011, we issued AD 

2011–20–51, Amendment 39–16843 (76 

FR 64001, October 17, 2011), for Pratt & 

Whitney Canada PT6A–15AG, –27, –28, 

–34, –34AG, –34B, and –36 series 

turboprop engines having a TAATI PMA 

replacement first stage reduction sun 

gear, part number (P/N) E3024765, 

installed. 

Actions Since AD 2011–20–51 (76 FR 

64001, October 17, 2011) Was Issued 

Since we issued AD 2011–20–51, we 

received a report of another failure of a 

sun gear not listed in that AD. Analysis 

has revealed that additional PMA 

replacement TAATI gears, installed 

since December 22, 2008, have the same 

failure potential as the gears affected by 

that AD. The additional gears are 

identified as follows: 

• Replacement first stage reduction 

sun gears, P/N E3024765, serial 

numbers (S/Ns) PC5–051 through PC5– 

089, and S/Ns SG36–051 through SG36– 

120, including the associated planetary 

gears in propeller reduction gearbox 

assembly. 

• Replacement planetary gear sets, 

P/N E3101455–02, S/Ns EE–051 through 

EE–197, S/Ns EE–4051 through EE– 

4094, and S/N EE–4113, including the 

associated sun gear in the propeller 

reduction gearbox assembly. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are issuing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined that the unsafe 

condition described previously is likely 

to exist or develop in other products of 

the same type design. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires the removal of 

affected sun gears and planetary gear 

sets described previously. 

FAA’s Justification and Determination 

of the Effective Date 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD. The FAA has found that the risk to 

the flying public justifies waiving notice 

and comment prior to adoption of this 

rule because of the short compliance 

time required in this AD to remove any 

affected parts from service. Therefore, 

we find that notice and opportunity for 

prior public comment are impracticable 

and that good cause exists for making 

this amendment effective in less than 30 

days. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not provide you with notice and 

an opportunity to provide your 

comments before it becomes effective. 

However, we invite you to send any 

written data, views, or arguments about 

this AD. Send your comments to an 

address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include the docket number 

FAA–2011–1298 and directorate 

identifier 2011–NE–39–AD at the 

beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

this AD. We will consider all comments 

received by the closing date and may 

amend this AD because of 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 we receive 

about this AD. 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 77381 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that the inspection in 

this AD will affect about 5,000 engines 

installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that disassembly of 

reduction gearboxes will affect about 50 

engines, and the gear removal will affect 

about 40 engines. We also estimate that 

it will take about 1 work-hour per 

engine for inspecting the engine records. 

We also estimate that for about 10 

engines, records identifying the gear S/ 

N for each gearbox do not exist, so that 

it will take about 10 work-hours to 

inspect gears for affected S/Ns and then 

to reassemble the reduction gearbox. We 

also estimate that it would take about 16 

work-hours for parts replacement. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Required parts for one engine will cost 

about $14,500. Based on these figures, 

we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 

operators to be $1,067,900. 

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 

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 part 39 of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations (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): 

2011–25–12 Pratt & Whitney Canada: 

Amendment 39–16888; Docket No. 

FAA–2011–1298; Directorate Identifier 

2011–NE–39–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective December 28, 2011. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada 

PT6A–15AG, –27, –28, –34, –34AG, –34B, 

and –36 series turboprop engines that have 

had maintenance done to the power section 

module involving the first stage reduction 

sun gear or planetary gear set replacement 

since December 22, 2008, and having a: 

(1) Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, 

Inc. (TAATI) part manufacturer approval 

(PMA) replacement first stage reduction sun 

gear, part number (P/N) E3024765, serial 

numbers (S/Ns) PC5–051 through PC5–089, 

or S/Ns SG36–051 through SG36–120, 

installed; or 

(2) TAATI PMA replacement planetary 

gear set, P/N E3101455–02, S/Ns EE–051 

through EE–197, or S/Ns EE–4051 through 

EE–4094, or S/N EE–4113, installed. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a failure report 

of a certain TAATI PMA sun gear, installed 

since December 22, 2008. We are issuing this 

AD to prevent failure of the sun gear, which 

will result in an engine in-flight shut down, 

possible uncontained engine failure, aircraft 

damage, and serious injuries. 

(e) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(f) Chip Detector Inspections 

(1) Within 10 operating hours after the 

effective date of this AD: 

(i) Inspect the chip detector on the 

propeller reduction gearbox assembly for 

metal debris. 

(ii) Do the inspections in accordance with 

paragraph 1 of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Timken Alcor Aerospace 

Technologies, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. 

T–804, Revision B, dated November 7, 2011. 

If the amount of metal debris found exceeds 

the allowable limits then, before further 

flight, permanently remove from service the 

affected gears as specified in paragraph (g) of 

this AD. 

(2) Repeat the chip detector inspections 

within every 25 additional operating hours 

thereafter, until the affected gears are 

removed from service. 

(g) Gear Removals From Service 

Within 60 operating hours or 365 days after 

the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs first, permanently remove from 

service the PMA replacement TAATI first 

stage reduction sun gear and the interacting 

planetary gears, and the PMA replacement 

TAATI planetary gear sets and interacting 

gears, listed in paragraph (c) of this AD, from 

the propeller reduction gearbox assembly. 

(h) Installation Prohibition 

(1) After the effective date of this AD, do 

not install on any airplane, any engine or 

power section module with a TAATI PMA 

replacement first stage reduction sun gear, P/ 

N E3024765, S/Ns PC5–051 through PC5– 

089, or S/Ns SG36–051 through SG36–120, or 

the associated planetary gears in the 

propeller reduction gearbox assembly. 

(2) After the effective date of this AD, do 

not install on any airplane, any engine or 

power section module with a TAATI PMA 

planetary gear set, P/N E3101455–02, S/Ns 

EE–051 through EE–197, or S/Ns EE–4051 

through EE–4094, or S/N EE–4113, or the 

associated first stage sun gear in the propeller 

reduction gearbox assembly. 

(i) Gears Are Matched Sets 

The sun gear and planetary gear sets asinstalled are considered to be matched sets. 

Therefore, the sun gear and planetary gear 

sets associated as mating parts with an 

affected gear in the propeller reduction 

gearbox assembly must also be permanently 

removed from service. 

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

(k) Related Information 

For further information about this AD, 

contact: Paul Craig, Aerospace Engineer, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 

3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite 100, Lakewood, 

CA 90712; phone: (562) 627–5252; fax: (562) 

627–5210; email: paul.craig@faa.gov. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

You must use the following service 

information to do the chip detector 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
77382 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 

inspections required by this AD, unless the 

AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 

Federal Register approved the incorporation 

by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51 of the following service information 

on the date specified: 

(1) Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, 

Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. T–804, 

Revision B, dated November 7, 2011, 

approved for IBR December 28, 2011. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Timken Alcor Aerospace 

Technologies, Inc., 3110 N. Oakland, Mesa, 

Arizona 85215; phone: (480) 632–1039; Web 

site: http://www.timken.com/mro. 

(3) You may review copies of the service 

information at the FAA, New England 

Region, 12 New England Executive Park, 

Burlington, MA. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

(781) 238–7125. 

(4) You may also review copies of the 

service information that is incorporated by 

reference at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741– 

6030 or go to: http://www.archives.gov/ 

federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on 

December 1, 2011. 

Peter A. White, 

Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–31868 Filed 12–12–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1341; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NE–41–AD; Amendment 

39–16891; AD 2011–25–51] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Continental 

Motors, Inc. (CMI) Reciprocating 

Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) models 

TSIO–520, TSIO–550–K, TSIOF–550K, 

and IO–550–N series reciprocating 

engines. This emergency AD was sent 

previously to all known U.S. owners 

and operators of these engines. This AD 

requires replacing affected CMI starter 

adapters with starter adapters eligible 

for installation. This AD was prompted 

by 5 reports received of fractures in 

starter adapter shaft gears in certain part 

number (P/N) CMI starter adapters. We 

are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 

the starter adapter gear shaft, leading to 

an inoperable oil scavenge pump and 

engine in-flight shutdown. 

DATES: This AD is effective December 

28, 2011 to all persons except those 

persons to whom it was made 

immediately effective by Emergency AD 

2011–25–51, issued on November 29, 

2011, which contained the requirements 

of this amendment. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by January 27, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Continental Motors, 

Inc., P.O. Box 90, Mobile, AL 36601; 

phone: (251) 438–3411, or go to: 

http://tcmlink.com/servicebulletins.cfm. 

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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations Office (phone: 

(800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Anthony Holton, Aerospace Engineer, 

Atlanta Certification Office, FAA, Small 

Airplane Directorate, 1701 Columbia 

Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30337; phone: 

(404) 474–5567; fax: (404) 474–5567; 

email: anthony.holton@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On November 29, 2011, we issued 

Emergency AD 2011–25–51, which 

requires replacing affected CMI starter 

adapters with starter adapters eligible 

for installation. This action was 

prompted by 5 reports received of 

fractures in starter adapter shaft gears in 

certain P/N CMI starter adapters. This 

condition, if not corrected, could result 

in failure of the starter adapter gear 

shaft, leading to an inoperable oil 

scavenge pump and engine in-flight 

shutdown. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed CMI Mandatory Service 

Bulletin (MSB) No. MSB11–4, dated 

November 23, 2011. The MSB describes 

the affected starter adapters, and 

describes what starter adapters are 

eligible for installation. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are issuing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires replacing affected 

CMI starter adapters with starter 

adapters eligible for installation. 

Differences Between the AD and the 

Service Information 

The CMI MSB No. MSB11–4, dated 

November 23, 2011 requires reporting. 

This emergency AD does not. 

FAA’s Determination of the Effective 

Date 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD. The FAA has found that the risk to 

the flying public justifies waiving notice 

and comment prior to adoption of this 

rule because of the short compliance 

time required to remove the affected 

parts from service. Therefore, we find 

that notice and opportunity for prior 

public comment are impracticable and 

that good cause exists for making this 

amendment effective in less than 30 

days. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety and 

was not preceded by notice and an 

opportunity for public comment. 

However, we invite you to send any 

written data, views, or arguments about 

this AD. Send your comments to an 

address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include the docket number 

FAA–2011–1341 and Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NE–41–AD at the 

beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

this AD. We will consider all comments 

received by the closing date and may 

amend this AD because of those 

comments. 


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