[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9387-9389]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03069]

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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.

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Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 30 / Tuesday, February 14, 2023 /
Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00632-E;
Amendment 39-22327; AD 2023-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6E-67XP model turboprop
engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier. This AD is prompted by
multiple reports of engines failing to achieve required power (torque)
during high power applications due to internal leaks in the bleed-off
valves (BOVs). This AD requires replacement of the compressor BOV
assembly, replacement of the BOV orifice feed air tube assembly, and
installation of a redesigned P3 probe snorkel, as specified in a
Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 21, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 21,
2023.

ADDRESSES:
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For material that is IBR in this final rule, contact
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-
3639; email: [email protected]; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
     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<PHONE_NUMBER>. It is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1477.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected].

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 certain P&WC PT6E-67XP
model turboprop engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2022 (87 FR 69218).
The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26-E, dated May
12, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26-E) (referred to after this as
the MCAI). The MCAI states that there have been reports of multiple
incidents in which engines were unable to achieve the required power
(torque) during high power applications. A manufacturer investigation
found that contamination from the glass beads used in the manufacturing
process during the gas generator casing (GGC) production caused
internal leaks in the BOVs, preventing the BOVs from fully closing at
high power settings.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of the
compressor BOV assembly, replacement of the BOV orifice feed air tube
assembly, and installation of a redesigned P3 probe snorkel, as
specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26. 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-2022-1477.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is 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 this product.
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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, which specifies
procedures for the replacement of the compressor BOV assembly,
replacement of the BOV orifice feed air tube assembly, and installation
of a redesigned P3 probe snorkel.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 100 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace compressor BOV assembly.......  5 work-hours x $85 per           $13,102         $13,527      $1,352,700
                                         hour = $425.
Replace BOV orifice feed air tube       6 work-hours x $85 per            22,000          22,510       2,251,000
 assembly with P3 probe snorkel and      hour = $510.
 BOV orifice feed air tube assembly.
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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.
    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

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:

2023-03-02 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-22327; Docket
No. FAA-2022-1477; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00632-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6E-67XP
model turboprop engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier, as
identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, dated May 12, 2022
(Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine
Engine Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of multiple incidents in which
engines were unable to achieve the required power (torque) during
high power applications due to internal leaks in the bleed-off
valves (BOVs) caused by glass bead contamination. The FAA is issuing
this AD to prevent internal leaks in the BOVs, and to prevent the
failure of the engine to achieve the required power (torque) during
high power applications. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in 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

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD:
Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified
in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 refers to hours air
time, this AD requires using flight hours.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 specifies compliance
from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date
of this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada
AD CF-2022-26 specifies to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(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 Sec.
39.19. In accordance with Sec.  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) of this AD or email 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) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email:
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, dated May 12, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26-E, contact Transport
Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159
Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-
3639; email: [email protected]; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
    (4) 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<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 1, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03069 Filed 2-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P