[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15707-15708]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06163]

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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 2014 /
Proposed Rules

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-1059; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-36-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop
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
certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW120, PW121, PW121A,
PW124B, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, PW127H, and PW127M turboprop
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks at the
interface between the fuel manifold and the fuel nozzle that resulted
in engine fire. This proposed AD would require removal of the O-ring
seal from the fuel manifold fitting. We are proposing this AD to
prevent in-flight fuel leakage, which could lead to engine fire, damage
to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 20, 2014.

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:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt &
Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada,
J4G 1A1; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; Web site: www.pwc.ca.
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 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-2013-
1059; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations
office (phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>) 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: Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>;
fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
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-2013-1059;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-36-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).

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation, which is the aviation authority
for Canada, has issued Canada AD CF-2013-29, dated October 4, 2013
(referred to hereinafter as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    There have been reported incidences of fuel leaks at the
interface between the flexible fuel manifold and the fuel nozzle. On
occasion, these events resulted in an engine fire on PW100 series
engine installations. The data indicates that nearly all of the
subject manifold fuel leaks were caused by inadequate B-nut torque
application during installation, after maintenance work was
performed on the fuel nozzle/manifold.
    Sealing of the fitting connections between the fuel manifolds
and the fuel nozzle adapters is achieved through conical metal-to-
metal surface seating. An additional O-ring seal on the fitting was
installed to arrest any fuel leak past the conical sealing surfaces.
In-service experience has indicated that leakage past the sealing
surfaces, as a result of improper torquing during installation of
the manifold, may not be immediately evident until the failure of
the O-ring seal allows the fuel to leak into the nacelle area.

    Removal of the O-ring seal from the fuel manifold fitting is needed
to prevent any fuel leak resulting from improper connection or
torquing. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight fuel leakage,
which could lead to engine fire, damage to the engine, and damage to
the airplane. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in
Docket No. FAA-2013-1059.

Relevant Service Information

    P&WC has issued Service Bulletin No. PW100-72-21803, Revision No.
4, dated February 8, 2012. 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 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 removal of the O-ring seal from the fuel
manifold fitting to prevent in-flight fuel leakage resulting from
improper connection or torquing, thus preventing engine fire, damage to
the engine, and damage to the airplane.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 150 engines
installed on U.S. airplanes. We also estimate that it would take about
2.5 hours per engine to perform the inspection or replacement required
by this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. No parts
are required. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $31,875.

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.
    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

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Docket No. FAA-2013-1059; Directorate
Identifier 2013-NE-36-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 20, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW120,
PW121, and PW121A turboprop engines with Post SB21610 configuration;
PW124B, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and PW127H turboprop engines with
either Post SB21607 or Post SB21705 configuration, or both; and
PW127G and PW127M turboprop engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks at the interface
between the fuel manifold and the fuel nozzle that resulted in
engine fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight fuel
leakage, which could lead to engine fire, damage to the engine, and
damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, during the next opportunity when the
affected subassembly is accessible, but no later than 18 months
after the effective date of this AD, remove the O-ring seal from the
fuel manifold fitting.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.

(g) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Dickert,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD CF-2013-29, dated October
4, 2013, for related information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-1059.
    (3) P&WC Service Bulletin PW100-72-21803, Revision No. 4, dated
February 8, 2012, pertains to the subject of this AD and can be
obtained from Pratt & Whitney Canada, using the contact information
in paragraph (g)(4) of this AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt
& Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin Blvd., Longueuil,
Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; Web
site: www.pwc.ca.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 13, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06163 Filed 3-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62641-62642]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26402]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Sunshine Act Meetings

TIME AND DATE: 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

PLACE: The meeting will be held at the Commission's headquarters, 100 F
Street NE, Washington, DC 20549.

STATUS: This meeting will be closed to the public.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Commissioners, Counsel to the Commissioners,
the Secretary to the Commission, and recording secretaries will attend
the closed meeting. Certain staff members who have an interest in the
matters also may be present.
    The General Counsel of the Commission, or his designee, has
certified that, in his opinion, one or more of the exemptions set forth
in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(3), (5), (6), (7), (8), 9(B) and (10) and 17 CFR
200.402(a)(3), (a)(5), (a)(6), (a)(7), (a)(8), (a)(9)(ii) and (a)(10),
permit consideration of the scheduled matters at the closed meeting.
    Commissioner Roisman, as duty officer, voted to consider the items
listed for the closed meeting in closed session.
    The subject matters of the closed meeting will be:
    Institution and settlement of injunctive actions;
    Institution and settlement of administrative proceedings;
    Resolution of litigation claims; and
    Other matters relating to enforcement proceedings.

    At times, changes in Commission priorities require alterations in
the scheduling of meeting items.

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: For further information and to
ascertain what, if any, matters have been added, deleted or postponed;
please contact Brent J. Fields from the Office of the Secretary at
(202) 551-5400.

    Dated: November 29, 2018.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-26402 Filed 11-30-18; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P