[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63797-63799]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25010]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0739; Product Identifier 2015-NE-07-AD; Amendment
39-19782; AD 2019-22-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboshaft
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-20-04
for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B-37A turboshaft
engines. AD 2015-20-04 required initial and repetitive inspections
until replacement of the No. 10 bearing, and eventual replacement of
the No. 9 bearing, both located in the engine reduction gearbox (RGB)
assembly. This AD requires removal from service and replacement of the
No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings. This AD was prompted by reports of
incorrect engine torque for PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 24, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 24,
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil,
Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>;
website: https://www.pwc.ca/en/. You may view this service information
at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards 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 on
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0739.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0739; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI),
regulatory evaluation, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
781-238-7146; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR
61717, October 14, 2015), (``AD 2015-20-04''). AD 2015-20-04 applied to
certain P&WC PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on September 17, 2018 (83 FR

46898). The NPRM was prompted by reports of incorrect engine torque for
PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The NPRM proposed to require removal from
service and replacement of the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation, which is the aviation authority
for Canada, has issued Transport Canada AD CF-2015-01R1, dated November
18, 2016 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address the
unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states:

    Five incidents of incorrect engine torque indication have been
reported for PT6B-37A engine installations on AW119MKII helicopters.
A lower than actual engine torque indication due to a faulty
indication system, particularly on a helicopter being operated at
max allowable torque (90 to 110%) range, may result in undetected
over-torque condition.
    Repeat undetected over-torque conditions that are not corrected
in accordance with conditional inspection requirements of original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICAs), may have a negative impact on the operational
life of aircraft components. Investigation by P&WC has determined
the root cause of the subject torque indication anomaly to be an
axial migration of the #9 and #10 bearings at the engine torque
sensing gear location.

    P&WC has introduced a new bearing configuration through its SB No.
PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017, that
effectively addresses the axial movement issue at No. 9 and No. 10
bearing positions. You may obtain further information by examining the
MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0739.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the AD

    An individual commenter expressed support for the NPRM as written.

Miscellaneous Comments

    An individual commenter provided comments not relevant to this AD.
The FAA did not change this AD.

Update to the Service Information

    The FAA determined the need to incorporate the latest service
information in this AD. The FAA revised the reference to P&WC SB No.
PT6B-72-39108 in the paragraph (g) of this AD from the original issue,
dated September 30, 2016, to Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017.
    The FAA also updated the reference in paragraph (g) of this AD to
P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092 from Revision No. 4, dated December 29, 2014,
to Revision No. 5, dated October 27, 2017.

Addition of Credit for Previous Action

    The FAA determined the need to add a Credit for Previous Action
section to allow credit for previous replacement of the No. 9 and No 10
position bearings if accomplished using P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39108,
dated September 30, 2016.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this AD as proposed except for minor editorial
changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated
September 5, 2017. The SB describes procedures for replacing affected
bearings. 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 the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 5, dated
October 27, 2017. The service information describes procedures for
removing affected bearings.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 119 engines installed on
helicopters 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace No. 9 and No. 10     65 work-hours x $85 per          $37,874         $43,399      $5,164,481
 bearings.                               hour = $5,525.
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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. 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

    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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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)
2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717, October 14, 2015), and
adding the following new AD:

2019-22-03 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-19782; Docket
No. FAA-2018-0739; Product Identifier 2015-NE-07-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 24, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717,
October 14, 2015).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B-37A
turboshaft engines with serial number (S/N) PCE-PU0275 or earlier or
with engine S/N PCE-PU0278.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7210, Turbine Engine
Reduction Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect engine torque for
PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
axial movement at the No. 10 bearing position in the engine
reduction gearbox (RGB) assembly. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in engine overtorque, failure of the engine,
in-flight shutdown, and loss of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For affected engines that did not have the bearings replaced
in accordance with P&WC Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6B-72-39092,
Revision No. 5, dated October 27, 2017, or earlier revision: Remove
from service and replace the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings at
the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, but
no later than December 31, 2020, whichever occurs first, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A. and
B., of P&WC SB PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5,
2017.
    (2) For affected engines that had the bearings replaced in
accordance with P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 5, dated
October 27, 2017, or earlier revision: Remove from service and
replace the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings before December 31,
2020, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs
3.A. and B., of P&WC SB PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated
September 5, 2017.

(h) Credit for Previous Action

    You may take credit for the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearing
replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if you performed
the replacement before the effective date of this AD using P&WC SB
No. PT6B-72-39108, dated September 30, 2016.

(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, or any removal
of the RGB assembly.

(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_ADDRESS>    (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 Barbara
Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>;
email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2015-01R1, dated November
18, 2016, for more information. You may examine the Transport Canada
AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0739.

(l) 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 Canada Corp. (P&WC) Service Bulletin No.
PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For P&WC 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>;
website: https://www.pwc.ca/en/.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and
Propeller Standards 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 at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 4, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-25010 Filed 11-18-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21892-21893]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9449]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0001; FRL-8870-2]

SFIREG POM Working Committee; Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials
(AAPCO)/State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG),
Pesticide Operations and Management (POM) Working Committee will hold a
2-day meeting, beginning on May 16, 2011 and ending May 17, 2011. This
notice announces the location and times for the meeting and sets forth
the tentative agenda topics.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday, May 16, 2011 from 8:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday May 17, 2011.
    To request accommodation of a disability, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON CONTACT, preferably at least 10
days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to
process your request.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at The Edgewater Hotel, 2411
Alaskan Way, Pier 67, Seattle, WA. This meeting will be held in the
Rainier Room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Kendall, Field External Affairs
Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001;
telephone number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or Grier Stayton, SFIREG Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 466, Milford, DE
19963; telephone number<PHONE_NUMBER>; Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-mail
address: Grier Stayton at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are
interested in pesticide regulation issues affecting States and any
discussion between EPA and SFIREG on FIFRA field implementation issues
related to human health, environmental exposure to pesticides, and
insight into EPA's decision-making process. You are invited and
encouraged to attend the meetings and participate as appropriate.
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
    Those persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of
chemical substances under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA), or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) and those who sell, distribute or use pesticides, as well as
any Non Government Organization.
    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this
action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    EPA has established a docket for this action under docket ID number
EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0001. Publicly available docket materials are available
either in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if
only available in hard copy, at the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)
Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.),
2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The hours of operation of this
Docket Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility telephone number is (703)
305-5805.

II. Tentative Agenda Topics

    1. Implementing and communicating major pesticide regulatory
changes--Panel discussion.
    2. SFIREG needs for worker safety education.
    3. Aluminum phosphide label issues for burrowing rodent control.
    4. Revisiting issues with total release disinfectant foggers.
    5. Revisiting supplemental label issues and the issue paper.
    6. Regulatory issues with supplemental distributor labels.
    7. Web-distributed labeling: Review of user acceptance pilot survey
results and formulating next steps.
    8. Aminopyralid carryover concerns in compost.
    9. Distinct labeling project.
    10. Distinct labeling project.
    11. What's up with drift labeling?
    12. Revisions to the FIFRA Inspectors Manual.
    13. Data management from state inspections.
    14. EPA plans for high yield enforcement actions.
    15. Implementation of soil fumigant label changes.

III. How can I request to participate in this meeting?

    This meeting is open for the public to attend. You may attend the
meeting without further notification.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection.

    Dated: April 12, 2011.
Robert McNally,
Acting Director, Field External Affairs Division, Office of Pesticide
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2011-9449 Filed 4-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P