[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59557-59559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26967]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1107; Product Identifier 2016-NE-22-AD;]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-12-
03, which applies to certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW2037,

[[Page 59558]]

PW2037M, and PW2040 turbofan engines. AD 2017-12-03 requires installing 
a software standard eligible for installation and precludes the use of 
electronic engine control (EEC) software standards earlier than SCN 5B/
I. Since we issued AD 2017-12-03, software became available for 
additional PW engines models. This proposed AD would require installing 
a software standard eligible for installation and preclude the use of 
EEC software standards earlier than SCN 5B/I or SCN 27A. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 29, 
2018.

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 NPRM, contact Pratt & 
Whitney Division, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 800-
565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1107; 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 NPRM, 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: Kevin Clark, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

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-2017-1107; 
Product Identifier 2016-NE-22-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    We issued AD 2017-12-03, Amendment 39-18918 (82 FR 27411, June 15, 
2017), (``AD 2017-12-03''), for PW PW2037, PW2037M, and PW2040 turbofan 
engines. AD 2017-12-03 requires installing a software standard eligible 
for installation and precludes the use of EEC software standards 
earlier than SCN 5B/I. AD 2017-12-03 resulted from an unrecoverable 
engine in-flight shutdown (IFSD) after an ice crystal icing event. We 
issued AD 2017-12-03 to prevent failure of the high-pressure turbine 
(HPT), rotor seizure, failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust 
control, and loss of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2017-12-03 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2017-12-03, software became available for PW 
engines with EEC model number EEC104-1 with 26K memory. These are older 
engine models that did not have software fixes available when AD 2017-
12-03 was issued.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW2000 A73-170, dated 
July 14, 2016 and PW ASB PW2000 A73-171, dated March 24, 2017. The ASBs 
describe procedures for modifying or replacing the EEC.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain all the requirements of AD 2017-12-
03. This proposed AD would add additional, older engine models to the 
applicability.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 587 engines, installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EEC software installation.............  1.8 work-hours x $85 per               0            $153         $89,811
                                         hour = $153.
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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C.

[[Page 59559]]

In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function 
of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this 
transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority 
to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and associated 
appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 
Policy and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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),
    (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.

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-12-03, Amendment 39-18918 (82 FR 27411), and adding the following 
new AD:

Pratt & Whitney Division: Docket No. FAA-2017-1107; Product 
Identifier 2016-NE-22-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January 29, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-12-03, Amendment 39-18918 (82 FR 27411, 
June 15, 2017).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to:
    (1) All Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW2037, PW2037M, and 
PW2040 turbofan engines with electronic engine control (EEC), model 
number EEC104-40 or EEC104-60, installed, with an EEC software 
standard earlier than SCN 5B/I; and
    (2) All PW PW2037, PW2037M, and PW2040 turbofan engines with 
EEC, model number EEC104-1 with part numbers (P/Ns) 1B7484, 1B7486, 
1B7984, or 1B7985, installed, with an EEC software standard earlier 
than SCN 27A.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7321, Fuel Control 
Turbine Engines.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an unrecoverable engine in-flight 
shutdown (IFSD) after an ice crystal icing event. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent failure of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) and 
rotor seizure. The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result 
in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For an engine with an EEC model number EEC104-40 or EEC104-
60 and a serial number (S/N) listed in Figure 1 to paragraph (g) of 
this AD, upgrade any EEC software standards earlier than SCN 5B/I or 
replace the EEC with a part eligible for installation at the next 
engine shop visit, or before December 1, 2018, whichever occurs 
first.
    (2) For an engine with an EEC model number EEC104-40 or EEC104-
60 and an S/N not listed in Figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, 
upgrade any EEC software standards earlier than SCN 5B/I or replace 
the EEC with a part eligible for installation at the next engine 
shop visit, or before July 1, 2024, whichever occurs first.
    (3) For an engine with an EEC model number EEC104-1 with PN 
1B7484, 1B7486, 1B7984, or 1B7985, upgrade any EEC software 
standards earlier than SCN 27A or replace the EEC with a part 
eligible for installation at the next engine shop visit, or before 
July 1, 2024, whichever occurs first.

                 Figure 1 to Paragraph (g)--Engine S/Ns
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          716402                   727272                  728741
          727103                   727280                  728743
          727134                   727281                  728748
          727152                   727282                  728779
          727158                   727286                  728785
          727189                   727287                  728795
          727202                   727288                  728806
          727204                   728709                  728811
          727231                   728715                  728812
          727239                   728716                  728820
          727240                   728719                  728824
          727251                   728720                  728826
          727252                   728725                  728827
          727253                   728726                  728840
          727257                   728729                  728864
          727269                   728730                  728870
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any software 
standard earlier than:
    (1) SCN 5B/I into any EEC model number EEC104-40 or EEC104-60; 
or
    (2) SCN 27A into any EEC model number EEC104-1.

(i) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that the 
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 
transportation without subsequent engine maintenance does not 
constitute an engine shop visit.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You may email your 
request to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Clark, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney Division, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 
800-565-0140; fax: 860-565-5442. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards 
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 11, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26967 Filed 12-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


