[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 222 (Monday, November 20, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80572-80575]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25524]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1638; Project Identifier AD-2022-00466-E;
Amendment 39-22586; AD 2023-22-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-02-
10, which applied to certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model
PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3
engines. AD 2018-02-10 required performing repetitive fluorescent
penetrant inspections (FPIs) to detect cracks in the outer diffuser
case (ODC), removal of any ODC that fails inspection, and updating the
mandatory inspections in the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). Since the FAA
issued AD 2018-02-10, PW developed a modification to reduce the
susceptibility of ODC cracking. This AD retains the ALS update
requirement from AD 2018-02-10, requires replacing certain ODC part
numbers with parts eligible for installation, expands the applicability
to all ODC part numbers, and adjusts the compliance threshold of the
FPIs of the ODC. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 26, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 26,
2023.

ADDRESSES:
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1638; 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, 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 service information identified in this final rule,
contact Pratt & Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT
06118; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected]; website:
connect.prattwhitney.com.
     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-2023-1638.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(781) 238-7655; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2018-02-10, Amendment 39-19163 (FR 83 2896,
January 22, 2018), (``AD 2018-02-10''). AD 2018-02-10 applied to PW
Model PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3
engines with ODC part number (P/N) 50J775 or P/N 50J930, installed. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2023 (88 FR 53406).
The NPRM was prompted by an updated analysis by the engine
manufacturer, which determined that cracks on the ODC originated due to
high stress in the area between Tt3 boss and thermocouple bracket boss.
PW developed a modification to improve the surface area between Tt3
boss and

thermocouple bracket boss to reduce the ODC's susceptibility to
cracking.
    Consequently, the FAA determined that it is necessary to expand the
applicability to all ODC P/Ns, adjust the initial FPI threshold for the
ODC to improve the inspection program, and to require certain ODCs to
be replaced with an ODC that has been modified to lower the stresses in
the area between Tt3 boss and thermocouple bracket boss.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require retain certain
requirements of AD 2018-02-10. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to
require revising the ALS of the existing airplane maintenance manual or
ICA and your existing approved maintenance program, as applicable, to
include piece-part inspections of the ODC; expanding the applicability
to include all engines; initial and repetitive FPIs, and depending on
the results of the FPI, require removal or re-inspection of the ODC.
Lastly the NPRM proposed to require replacement of certain ODCs with a
part eligible for installation at next piece-part exposure.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from three commenters. Commenters
included United Airlines, The Boeing Company, and Air Lines Pilots
Association, International. All commenters supported the NPRM without
change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes which
include updating the manufacturer contact information, this AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW4G-112-A72-347,
Revision 4, dated September 1, 2022. This ASB provides guidance on
performing FPIs on certain bosses of the ODC. This service information
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified
in ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW4G-112-72-357, dated
February 25, 2019. This SB provides procedures to modify and re-
identify ODC assemblies to lower the stresses in the area between the
Tt3 boss and the thermocouple bracket boss.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, affects 108 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA has no way to determine the number
of operators that will replace the ODC with a modified ODC or a zero-
time ODC. As a result, the total cost on U.S. operators for these
actions is not estimated.
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perform high sensitivity FPI of the     10 work-hours x $85 per               $0            $850         $91,800
 ODC T3 thermocouple probe boss.         hour = $850.
Revise the ALS........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85           9,180
                                         hour = $85.
Replace the ODC with modified ODC.....  3 work-hours x $85 per            12,000          12,255  ..............
                                         hour = $255.
Replace the ODC with zero-time ODC....  3 work-hours x $85 per         2,300,000       2,300,255  ..............
                                         hour = $255.
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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

    The FAA has determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2018-02-10, Amendment 39-19163 (83
FR 2896, January 22, 2018); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-22-02 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-22586; Docket No.
FAA-2023-1638; Project Identifier AD-2022-00466-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 26,
2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-02-10, Amendment 39-19163 (83 FR 2896,
January 22, 2018).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4074,
PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine
Combustion Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of multiple cracked outer
diffuser cases (ODCs). We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the ODC. This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure
of the ODC, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

 (f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within the compliance times specified in paragraphs
(g)(1)(i) though (iii) of this AD, perform an initial high
sensitivity fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the ODC T3
thermocouple probe boss (Tt3 boss) for crack indications in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 1.F. of
Part A or paragraph 1.B. of Part B, as applicable, of PW Alert
Service Bulletin PW4G-112-A72-347, Revision 4, dated September 1,
2022 (ASB PW4G-112-A72-347, Rev 4).
    (i) For an ODC that has accumulated less than 12,000 cycles
since new (CSN) with no prior high sensitivity FPI of the ODC Tt3
boss, perform the high sensitivity FPI before accumulating 9,200 CSN
or within 1,000 flight cycles (FCs), after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (ii) For an ODC with unknown CSN or an ODC that has accumulated
12,000 CSN or more with no prior high sensitivity FPI of the ODC Tt3
boss, perform the high sensitivity FPI before accumulating 13,000
CSN or within 1,000 FCs, after February 26, 2018 (the effective date
of AD 2018-02-10), whichever occurs later.
    (iii) For an ODC that has undergone a high sensitivity FPI of
the ODC Tt3 boss prior to the effective date of this AD that
resulted in no crack indication, perform the high sensitivity FPI
before accumulating 2,000 FCs since performance of the last FPI or
during the next engine shop visit, whichever occurs first.
    (iv) For an ODC that has undergone a high sensitivity FPI of the
ODC Tt3 boss prior to the effective date of this AD that resulted in
an indication of a crack, perform the actions required by paragraphs
(g)(3)(i) through (iii) of this AD, as applicable.
    (2) Thereafter, repeat the high sensitivity FPI of the ODC Tt3
boss at each engine shop visit or before exceeding 2,000 FCs from
the last high sensitivity FPI of the ODC Tt3 boss, whichever occurs
first, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraphs 1.F. of Part A or paragraph 1.B. of Part B, as
applicable, of ASB PW4G-112-A72-347, Rev 4.
    (3) If, during any inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) or
(2) of this AD, there is any crack indication, perform the actions
specified in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) through (iii) of this AD.
    (i) For engines installed on an aircraft, repeat the high
sensitivity FPI or remove the ODC from service in accordance with
the actions and compliance times specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part A, paragraphs 1.G. and 1.H., of ASB PW4G-112-A72-
347, Rev 4.
    (ii) For engines not installed on an aircraft, repeat the high
sensitivity FPI or remove the ODC from service in accordance with
the actions and compliance times specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part B, paragraphs 1.C. and 1.D., of PW ASB PW4G-112-
A72-347, Rev 4.
    (iii) For engines at an engine shop visit, before further
flight, remove the ODC from service.
    (4) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the existing engine
maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness and
the existing approved maintenance program, as applicable, to include
the piece-part inspections of the ODC as defined in Table 1 to
paragraph (g)(4) of this AD.

                                  Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(4)--Addition to ALS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Cleaning,
                                                            inspection and        CIR manual
           Description                   Part No.            repair (CIR)         inspection        CIR manual
                                                            manual section
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Case, Diffuser, Outer...........  All...................           72-41-13  Inspection/Check (I/     P/N 51A750
                                                                              C-02).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) For engines with ODC part number (P/N) 50J775 or 50J930
installed, at the next piece-part exposure after the effective date
of this AD, replace the ODC with a part eligible for installation.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is any
time the ``M'' flange is separated.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``piece-part exposure'' is
when the ODC is removed from the engine and fully disassembled.
    (3) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is an ODC with P/N 50J775-001, 50J775-002, 50J930-
001, or 50J930-002.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Carol Nguyen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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) Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW4G-112-A72-347,
Revision 4, dated September 1, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt
& Whitney Division, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone:
(800) 565-0140; email: [email protected]; website:
connect.prattwhitney.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on October 25, 2023.
Caitlin Locke,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-25524 Filed 11-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 61687]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25631]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2479-011-CA]

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment

    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission)
regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897), the Office
of Energy Projects has reviewed the application for a new license for
the French Meadows transmission line project and has prepared an
Environmental Assessment (EA). The project is located within the Middle
Fork American River Drainage in Placer County, California, and occupies
32.78 acres of U.S. Forest Service land managed by the Eldorado and
Tahoe National Forests. The combined length of the transmission lines
on National Forest land is 6.58 miles, 6.42 miles on the Eldorado
National Forest and 0.16 mile on the Tahoe National Forest.
Approximately 6.69 miles on the French Meadows transmission line
section of the project are located on private land.
    The EA contains staff's analysis of the potential environmental
effects of the project and alternatives and concludes that licensing
the project, with appropriate environmental protective measures, would
not constitute a major federal action that would significantly affect
the quality of the human environment.
    A copy of the EA is available for review at the Commission in the
Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site 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 Online Support at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,
(202) 502-8659.
    You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances
related to this or other pending project. For assistance, contact FERC
Online Support.
    For further information, contact Mary Greene at<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Dated: September 28, 2011.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-25631 Filed 10-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P