Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/08/18/04-18919/airworthiness-directives-pratt-and-whitney-pw2000-series-turbofan-engines
Timestamp: 2018-12-17 02:28:06
Document Index: 304665645

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u200939', 'art 121', 'art 121', 'art 121', '§\u2009121', '§\u2009121']

51198-51200 (3 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-18919 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-18919
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2000 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires revisions to the engine manufacturer's time limits section (TLS) to include enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part opportunity. This proposed AD would modify the airworthiness limitations section of the manufacturer's manual and an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate additional inspection requirements. An FAA study of in-service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating engine parts has indicated the need for mandatory inspections. The mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in uncontained failures. We are proposing this AD to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-61-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “AD Docket No. 98-ANE-61-AD” in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
On June 4, 2002, the FAA issued airworthiness directive (AD) 2002-12-06, Amendment 39-12778 (67 FR 40143, June 12, 2002), to require revisions to the Time Limits Section (TLS) of the PW2000 Turbofan Engine Manual to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part opportunity.
Since the issuance of that AD, an FAA study of in-service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating engine parts has indicated the need for additional mandatory inspections. The mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in uncontained failures. This proposal would modify the TLS of the manufacturer's manual and an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate the additional inspection requirements.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other PW2000 series turbofan engines of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 2002-12-06 to add additional inspection requirements for critical life-limited parts for enhanced inspection at each piece-part opportunity.
There are about 938 Pratt & Whitney PW2000 series turbofan engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 777 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate that it would take about 4 work hours per engine to perform the proposed inspections, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Since this is an added inspection requirement, included as part of the normal maintenance cycle, no additional part costs are involved. Based on these figures, the total additional cost per engine per shop visit is estimated to be $260. Based on the current PW2000 engine shop visit rate, the total additional cost for the PW2000 fleet is estimated to be $80,860 per year.
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.Start Printed Page 51199
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “AD Docket No. 98-ANE-61-AD” in your request.
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-12778, (67 FR 40143 June 4, 2002), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:
Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. 98-ANE-61-AD. Supersedes AD 2002-12-06, Amendment 39-12778.
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 18, 2004.
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2037, PW2040, PW2043, PW2143, PW2240, PW2337, PW2643, PW2037D, PW2037M, and PW2040D series turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to Boeing 757 series and Ilyushin IL-96T series airplanes.
(f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the manufacturer's Time Limits section (TLS) of the manufacturer's engine manual, as appropriate for PW PW2037, PW2040, PW2043, PW2143, PW2240, PW2337, PW2643, PW2037D, PW2037M, and PW2040D series turbofan engines, and for air carriers revise the approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program, by adding the following:
(b) Eddy current inspect hub bolt holes per 72-52-00, Inspection/Check-05 72-52-16-200-005
Disk, HPC Drum ALL 72-35-03 -04
Rotor Assembly (7-15)
(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.Start Printed Page 51200
(i) You have met the requirements of this AD by using a TLS of the manufacturer's engine manual changed as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, and, for air carriers operating under part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 121), by modifying your continuous airworthiness maintenance plan to reflect those changes. You must maintain records of the mandatory inspections that result from those changes to the TLS according to the regulations governing your operation. You do not need to record each piece-part inspection as compliance to this AD. For air carriers operating under part 121, you may use either the system established to comply with § 121.369 or use an alternative system that your principal maintenance inspector has accepted if that alternative system:
(2) Meets the requirements of § 121.369(c); and
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 11, 2004.
[FR Doc. 04-18919 Filed 8-17-04; 8:45 am]