|
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0511; Project Identifier AD-2020-01229-E;
Amendment 39-22101; AD 2022-13-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Williams International Co., L.L.C.
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Williams International Co., L.L.C. (Williams) FJ44-2A, FJ44-2C,
FJ44-3A, and FJ44-3A-24 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by
a report of cracks in the high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk posts and
failure of an HPT disk post, resulting in the contained fracture of an
HPT disk post and blade. This AD requires removing the HPT disk, part
number (P/N) 67093, from service before reaching defined cycle limits
and replacing it with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 9, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 9,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Williams International, Product Support, 2000 Centerpoint
Parkway, Pontiac, MI 48341; phone: (800) 859-3544; website: http://
www.williams-int.com/product-support. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817)
222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0511; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle Bush, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Chicago ACO, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone:
(847) 294-7870; email: kyle.bush@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain
Williams FJ44-2A, FJ44-2C, FJ44-3A, and FJ44-3A-24 model turbofan
engines. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2022
(87 FR 22153). The SNPRM was prompted by a report of cracks in the HPT
disk posts and failure of an HPT disk post, resulting in the contained
fracture of an HPT disk post and blade. Subsequently, Williams notified
the FAA that revised service information was available, which added
additional serial-numbered FJ44-2A, FJ44-2C, and FJ44-3A model turbofan
engines to the effectivity and updated the compliance time for
replacing the HPT disk. In the SNPRM, the FAA proposed to require
removing the HPT disk, P/N 67093, from service before reaching defined
cycle limits and replacing it with a part eligible for installation.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination
of the costs.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is
adopted as proposed in the SNPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Williams International Service Bulletin (SB) WISB-
72-1032, Revision 2, dated June 4, 2020. This SB specifies procedures
for removing and replacing the HPT rotor assemblies that include HPT
disk, P/N 67093. This SB also provides instructions for incorporating
the latest HPT combustor/fuel slinger module on FJ44-2A and FJ44-2C
model turbofan engines. 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
ADDRESSES.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Williams International SB WISB-72-1034, Revision
3, dated July 2, 2021. This SB describes procedures for re-identifying
the HPT rotor assembly and HPT disk.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 242 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| Remove and replace the HPT disk |
33 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $2,805 |
$16,694
|
$19,499
|
$4,718,758
|
The FAA has included all known costs
in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
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.
The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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
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 airworthiness
directive:
|