Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Turboprop Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt 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 proposed AD was 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 proposed AD would 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 a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 3, 2023.

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 regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Fax: (202) 493-2251.

• 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.

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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

• For material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-3639; email: AD-CN@tc.gc.ca. You may find this material on the Transport Canada website at 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 (817) 222-5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES . Include “Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00632-E” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, dated May 26, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26) (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to address an unsafe condition for P&WC PT6E-67XP model turboprop engines with serial number HP0194 and earlier. 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. 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.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1477.

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 .

FAA's Determination

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country and are 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 Transport Canada AD above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD and except as discussed under “Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since coordinated with other manufacturers and CAAs to use this process. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate by reference Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in the Transport Canada AD does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to “Compliance,” compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled “Corrective Actions” in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26. Service information required by the Transport Canada AD for compliance will be available at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1477 after the FAA final rule is published.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 refers to hours air time, this proposed AD requires using flight hours.

Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26 specifies compliance from its effective date, this proposed AD would require using the effective date of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 100 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

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 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would 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 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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Docket No. FAA-2022-1477; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00632-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by January 3, 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 26, 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 § 39.19. In accordance with § 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: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(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: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov.

(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 26, 2022.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2022-26, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-3639; email: AD-CN@tc.gc.ca; 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 (817) 222-5110.

(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: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.