|
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0939; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00743-E;
Amendment 39-22513; AD 2023-15-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) Model PW307D engines. This AD is
prompted by a root cause analysis of an event involving an uncontained
failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk, on an
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) Model V2533-A5 engine, that
resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling and an
aborted takeoff. This AD requires removing certain HPT 2nd-stage disks
from service and also prohibits installation of certain HPT 2nd-stage
disks on any affected engine. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 29, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No.FAA-2023-0939; 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, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), 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: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all P&WC Model PW307D
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2023 (88
FR 30264). The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2022-31,
dated June 9, 2022, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation
authority for Canada (referred to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI
states that on March 18, 2020, an Airbus Model A321-231 airplane,
powered by IAE Model V2533-A5 engines, experienced an uncontained HPT
1st-stage disk failure that resulted in an aborted takeoff and high-
energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. In response to the March
2020 uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure, the FAA issued a series of
ADs, including Emergency AD 2020-07-51, Amendment 39-21110 (85 FR
20402, April 13, 2020) (AD 2020-07-51). Since the FAA issued AD 2020-
07-51, IAE determined that the failure of the V2533-A5 engine was due
to an undetected subsurface material defect in the HPT 1st-stage disk
that may affect the life of the part. In coordination with IAE, P&WC
performed a records review and analysis of PW307A and PW307D engine
parts made of similar material and identified two additional affected
HPT 2nd-stage disks (S/Ns A004D8X1 and A004E9K3), installed on PW307D
engines. These two additional HPT 2nd-stage disks may have a material
defect which could reduce the life of the part. As such, the affected
HPT 2nd-stage disks must be removed from service.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing certain part-
numbered HPT 2nd-stage disks from service and proposed to prohibit the
installation of these HPT 2nd-stage disks onto any engine. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0939.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. 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. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the
economic burden on any operator.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2 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
|
| Replace HPT 2nd-stage disk |
10 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $850 |
$176,000
|
$176,850
|
$353,700
|
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:
|