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[Federal Register: May 17, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 94)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 27491-27493]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17my10-26]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0246; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. PW617F-E
Turbofan 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 the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:

    A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines.
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the
Fuel Oil Heat Exchanger (FOHE) on that engine had worn through the
housing seat, allowing unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the
Fuel Metering Unit (FMU), resulting in fuel flow drop and subsequent
power reduction.
    Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) No. PW600-72-A66019 to inspect and replace any discrepant
valve with the same type new valve. The inspection results confirmed
that failure of a worn through poppet is dormant and it can affect
both engines at the same time that could result in an unsafe
condition on PW617F-E powered aircraft.

    We are proposing this AD to prevent uncommanded power reduction,
which could result in the inability to continue safe flight and safe
landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 1, 2010.

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.
    Contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin,
Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; telephone 800-268-8000; fax 450-
647-2888; Web site: http://www.pwc.ca; for the service information
identified in this proposed AD.

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 (telephone (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: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
ian.dargin@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7178; 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-2010-0246;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-16-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).

[[Page 27492]]

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Canada AD CF-2010-02, dated January 20, 2010 (referred to after
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:

    A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines.
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the
FOHE on that engine had worn through the housing seat, allowing
unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the FMU, resulting in fuel
flow drop and subsequent power reduction.
    Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an ASB No. PW600-72-A66019
to inspect and replace any discrepant valve with the same type new
valve. The inspection results confirmed that failure of a worn
through poppet is dormant and it can affect both engines at the same
time that could result in an unsafe condition on PW617F-E powered
aircraft.
    On November 23, 2009, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an ASB
No. PW600-72-A66021 that introduced a new fuel Filter Bypass Valve
Assembly with an improved design poppet to help alleviate the
subject poppet wear problem. This AD is issued to mandate
replacement of the FOHE fuel filter bypass valve on all PW617F-E
engines as per Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. ASB No. PW600-72-A66021
instructions.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. has issued ASB No. PW600-72-A66021,
Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010. 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 proposing this AD because we evaluated all information
provided by Transport Canada and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design. This proposed AD would require replacing the FOHE fuel filter
bypass poppet valve with a larger fuel filter bypass poppet valve
within 25 hours of the effective date of the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 77 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 3.5 work-hours per engine to
comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour. Required parts would cost about $22,582 per engine. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $1,761,722.

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-2010-0246; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-16-
AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by July 1, 2010.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. PW617F-E
turbofan engines with fuel/oil heat exchanger (FOHE) part number (P/
N) 35C4540-01 installed. These engines are installed on, but not
limited to, Empresa Brasileira de Aeron[aacute]utica S.A. (EMB) 500
airplanes.

Reason

    (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
    A PW617F-E engine powered twin engined aircraft had recently
experienced an uncommanded power reduction on one of its engines.
Investigation showed that the Fuel Filter Bypass Valve poppet in the
FOHE on that engine had worn through the housing seat, allowing
unfiltered fuel and debris to contaminate the Fuel Metering Unit,
resulting in fuel flow drop and subsequent power reduction.
    Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. issued an Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) No. PW600-72-A66019 to inspect and replace any discrepant
valve with the same type new valve. The inspection results confirmed
that failure of a worn through poppet is dormant and it can affect
both engines at the same time that could result in an unsafe
condition on PW617F-E powered aircraft.
    We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded power reduction,
which could result in the inability to continue safe flight and safe
landing.

[[Page 27493]]

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, replace the FOHE fuel filter bypass
poppet valve with a larger fuel filter bypass poppet valve within 25
hours of the effective date of the AD. Use paragraph 3.A. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. ASB No.
PW600-72-A66021, Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010, to do the
replacement.

Previous Credit

    (f) A fuel filter bypass poppet valve replacement performed
before the effective date of this AD using Pratt & Whitney Canada
Corp. ASB No. PW600-72-A66021, dated November 23, 2009, satisfies
the replacement requirement of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-
2010-02, dated January 20, 2010, and Pratt & Whitney Canada ASB No.
PW600-72-A66021, Revision 1, dated January 7, 2010, for related
information. Contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-
Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; telephone 800-268-
8000; fax 450-647-2888; Web site: http://www.pwc.ca, for a copy of
this service information.
    (i) Contact Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: ian.dargin@faa.gov;
telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 10, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-11645 Filed 5-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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