2024-03442. Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) Model PW307A and PW307D engines. This AD is prompted by a root cause analysis of an event involving an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling and an aborted takeoff. This AD requires removing from service and replacing certain HPT disks and also prohibits installing certain HPT disks on any engine, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective March 27, 2024.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 27, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–2147; 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 service information identified in this final rule, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; 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 (817) 222–5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–2147.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

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 all P&WC Model PW307A and PW307D engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2023 (88 FR 77236). The NPRM was prompted by AD CF–2023–30, dated May 8, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI states that on March 18, 2020, an Airbus Model A321–231 airplane, powered by International Aero Engines AG (IAE) Model V2533–A5 engines, experienced an uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure that resulted in an aborted takeoff and high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling.

In response to the March 2020 uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure, the FAA issued a series of ADs, including Emergency AD 2020–07–51, Amendment 39–21110 (85 FR 20402, April 13, 2020) (AD 2020–07–51). Since the FAA issued AD 2020–07–51, IAE determined that the failure of the V2533–A5 engine was due to an undetected subsurface material defect in the HPT 1st-stage disk that may affect the life of the part. In coordination with IAE, P&WC performed a records review and analysis of PW307A and PW307D engine parts made of similar material and identified additional affected HPT 1st and 2nd-stage disks, installed on PW307A and PW307D engines. These additional HPT disks may have a material defect that could reduce the life of the part and must be removed from service.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing certain HPT disks and prohibiting the installation of certain HPT disks on any engine, as specified in the MCAI. 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–2023–2147.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.

Conclusion

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 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 these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30, which identifies the affected HPT disks and specifies procedures for replacement. 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 .

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 63 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.

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

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Remove affected HPT 1st or 2nd stage disk	8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680	$136,400	$137,080	$8,636,040

The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.

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

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

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

§ 39.13

[Amended]

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

2024–03–01 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39–22670; Docket No. FAA–2023–2147; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00663–E.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 27, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Model PW307A and PW307D engines.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a root cause analysis of an event involving an International Aero Engines AG Model V2533–A5 engine, which experienced an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT 1st and 2nd-stage disks. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained HPT disk failure, damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, 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–2023–30, dated May 8, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30).

(h) Exceptions To Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30

(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30 requires compliance from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where paragraph A. of Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30 specifies “Before 31 January 2027,” replace that text with “Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD.”

(3) Where paragraph B. of Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30 specifies “At the next opportunity, when the affected engine is disassembled and access is available to the HPT disk, remove any affected HPT disk listed in Table 2 or Table 4 below and replace the affected HPT disk with a serviceable part,” replace that text with “For any engine with an installed HPT disk listed in Table 2 or Table 4 [of Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30], at the next piece-part exposure, remove the affected HPT disk from service and replace with a serviceable part.”

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Definitions

(1) For the purpose of this AD, “piece-part exposure” is when the affected part is removed from the engine and completely disassembled.

(2) For the purpose of this AD, a “serviceable part” is any HPT disk that is not identified in Tables 1 through 4 of Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, International Validation 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD and email to: [e-mail].

(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.

(l) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(m) 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–2023–30, dated May 8, 2023.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For Transport Canada AD CF–2023–30, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; 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 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 [e-mail].

Issued on January 31, 2024.

Victor Wicklund,

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.