[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 200 (Monday, October 17, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64001-64003]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26840]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1038; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-31-AD;
Amendment 39-16843; AD 2011-20-51]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-15AG, -27,
-28, -34, -34AG, -34B, and -36 Series Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt &
Whitney Canada PT6A-15AG, -27, -28, -34, -34AG, -34B, and -36 series
turboprop engines. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known
U.S. owners and operators of these engines. This AD requires the
removal of affected part manufacturer approval (PMA) replacement Timken
Alcor Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (TAATI) first stage reduction sun
gears and the interacting planet gears, from the propeller reduction
gearbox assembly. This AD was prompted by failures of certain PMA
replacement first stage reduction sun gears, manufactured by TAATI. We
are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 1, 2011 to all persons except
those persons to whom it was made immediately

effective by Emergency AD 2011-20-51, issued on September 15, 2011,
which contained the requirements of this amendment.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 1, 2011.

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:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations Office (phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Craig, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite
100, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-
mail<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On September 15, 2011, we issued Emergency AD 2011-20-51, which
requires the removal of affected PMA replacement TAATI first stage
reduction sun gears and the interacting planet gears, from the
propeller reduction gearbox assembly. This action was prompted by
failures of certain replacement PMA first stage reduction sun gears,
manufactured by TAATI. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in failure of the shaft portion of the sun gear, which will result in
an engine in-flight shut down, possible uncontained engine failure,
aircraft damage, and serious injuries.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires the removal of affected PMA replacement TAATI
first stage reduction sun gear and the interacting planet gears, from
the propeller reduction gearbox assembly, within 15 operating hours or
15 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of
the short compliance time required in this AD to remove any affected
parts from service. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for
prior public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2011-1038 and
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-31-AD at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that the inspection in this AD will affect about 5,000
engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
disassembly of reduction gearboxes will affect about 50 engines, and
the sun gear removal will affect about 40 engines. We also estimate
that it will take about 1 work-hour per engine for inspecting the
engine records. We also estimate that for about 10 engines, it will
take about 10 work-hours for the inspection of the sun gear serial
number (S/N) and reassembly of the reduction gearbox, due to the
records not identifying the S/N. We also estimate that it would take
about 16 work-hours for parts replacement. The average labor rate is
$85 per work-hour. Required parts for one engine will cost about
$14,500. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S.
operators to be $1,067,900.

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

    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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of 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

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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

2011-20-51 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-16843; Docket No.
FAA-2011-1038; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-31-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 1, 2011 to all persons except
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency
AD 2011-20-51, issued on September 15, 2011, which contained the
requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-15AG, -27, -28, -
34, -34AG, -34B, and -36 series turboprop engines that have had
maintenance done to the power section module involving first stage
reduction sun gear replacement since February 3, 2010, and having a
Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (TAATI) part manufacturer
approval (PMA) replacement first stage reduction sun gear, part
number (P/N) E3024765, serial numbers (S/Ns) PC5-091 through PC5-
176, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by failures of certain first stage
reduction sun gears, manufactured by TAATI. We are issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the shaft portion of the sun gear, which will
result in an engine in-flight shut down, possible uncontained engine
failure, aircraft damage, and serious injuries.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
    (f) For affected engines, remove the PMA replacement TAATI first
stage reduction sun gear and the interacting planet gears from the
propeller reduction gearbox assembly within 15 operating hours or 15
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any
airplane, any engine or power section module with a TAATI PMA
replacement first stage reduction sun gear, P/N E3024765, S/Ns PC5-
091 through PC5-176.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(i) Related Information

    For further information about this AD, contact: Paul Craig,
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite 100, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: 562-627-
5252; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-mail<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 12, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26840 Filed 10-14-11; 8:45 am]
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[Federal Register: May 8, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 88)]
[Notices]
[Page 26759]
[DOCID:fr08my06-44]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP06-144-000]

Houston Hub Storage and Transportation, L.P.; Notice of Petition

May 1, 2006.
    Take notice that on April 24, 2006, Houston Hub Storage and
Tranportation, L.P., 20333 State Highway 249, Suite 400, Houston, TX
77070, filed a petition for Exemption of Temporary Acts and Operations
from Certificate Requirements, pursuant to Rule 207(a)(5) of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.207(a)(5)),
and section 7(c)(1)(B) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717(c)(1)(B)),
seeking approval of an exemption from certificate requirements to
perform temporary activities related to drilling and testing operations
to determine the viability of developing a salt dome natural gas
storage project in Liberty County, Texas, all as more fully set forth
in the application on file with the Commission and open to public
inspection. This filing may also be viewed on the Web at http://www.ferc.gov
 using the ``eLibrary'' link. Enter the docket number

excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access
the document. For assistance, contact FERC at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or call toll-free<PHONE_NUMBER> or TYY,

(202) 502-8659.
    Any questions regarding the petition should be directed to Joseph
H. Fagan, Heller Ehrman LLP, 1717 Rhode Island Ave., NW.; Washington,
DC 20036-3001 and Phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of
this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by
becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or
before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a
motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or
385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person
obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by
the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all
documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must
submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a
copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only
parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders
in the proceeding.
    Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of
this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments
to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commentors will be
placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive
copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings
associated with the Commission's environmental review process.
Environmental commentors will not be required to serve copies of filed
documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commentors will
not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by
the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents
issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court
review of the Commission's final order.
    The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments
protests and interventions via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18
CFR 385.2001(a) (1) (iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web
(http://www.ferc.gov) site under the ``e-Filing'' link.

    Comment Date: May 10, 2006.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-6902 Filed 5-5-06; 8:45 am]

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