-
Start Preamble
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION:
Final rule.
Start Printed Page 50205SUMMARY:
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-7R4 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires inspection of the blade root thickness of 1st stage fan blades identified by part number (P/N) and serial number (SN) in the AD. This AD requires the same actions but corrects 12 P/Ns, adds 10 part SNs, and adds the definition of next fan blade exposure to the compliance section. This AD results from the discovery of inaccurate part quantity, part numbers, and serial numbers used in AD 2005-26-09. We are issuing this AD to prevent 1st stage fan blade fracture and uncontained engine failure, resulting in possible damage to the airplane.
DATES:
This AD becomes effective October 5, 2007.
ADDRESSES:
The Docket Operations office is located at U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kevin Donovan, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7743, fax (781) 238-7199.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by superseding AD 2005-26-09, Amendment 39-14430 (70 FR 76381, December 27, 2005), with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to (PW) JT9D-7R4 turbofan engines. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on March 1, 2007 (72 FR 9276). That action proposed to require inspection of the blade root thickness of 1st stage fan blades identified by P/N and SN.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov;; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.
Duplicate Serial Number
One commenter asks us to remove a duplicate serial number from Table 1. The commenter states that we listed two fan blades, P/N 831021, serial number NS8559 in Table 1. We agree. We deleted one of the duplicate SNs.
Corrections to the NPRM
We found one typographical error in a blade SN. We changed ND6924 to ND8924. Blade SN ND6924 is not included in the population of suspect blades. We also found the population is not 531, it is 538. We corrected these errors in the NPRM.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We have determined that these changes will cause only a minimal increase to the economic burden on any operator and will not increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 538 1st stage fan blades installed on JT9D-7R4 turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 0.5 work-hour per 1st stage fan blade to perform the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this AD to U.S. operators to be $21,520.
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.
We are 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
We have 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) Is not a “significant rule” under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the address listed under ADDRESSES.
Start List of SubjectsList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
- Air transportation
- Aircraft
- Aviation safety
- Safety
Adoption of the Amendment
Start Amendment PartAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
End Part Start Amendment Part1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartStart Amendment Part[Amended]2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-14430 70 FR 76381, December 27, 2005, and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-15196, to read as follows:
End Amendment Part2007-18-06 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-15196. Docket No. FAA-2005-23072; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-38-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 5, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-26-09.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-7R4 turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300 and A310, and Boeing 747 and 767 airplanes. Start Printed Page 50206
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from the discovery of inaccurate part quantity, part numbers (P/Ns), and serial numbers (SNs) used in AD 2005-26-09. We are issuing this AD to prevent 1st stage fan blade fracture and uncontained engine failure, resulting in possible damage to the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done.
(f) For 1st stage fan blades that are listed by P/N and SN in Table 1 of this AD, do the following:
Table 1.—Affected 1st Stage Fan Blades
P/Ns SNs 5001341-022 JW2804 5001341-022 JW0354 5001341-022 ND5746 5001341-022 ND5770 5001341-022 JW3992 5001341-022 ND8615 5001341-022 JW0442 5001341-022 JW2317 5001341-022 ND8631 5001341-022 ND8635 5001341-022 JW4624 5001341-022 NE0394 5001341-022 NE0153 5001341-022 NN8054 5001341-022 JW4693 5001341-022 ND7304 5001341-022 MG6108 5001341-022 MG5862 5001341-022 MG5619 5001341-022 NE0308 5001341-022 NE0200 5001341-022 MG6797 5001341-022 JW0230 5001341-022 ND5652 5001341-022 ND5775 5001341-022 JW0251 5001341-022 ND5719 5001341-022 JW0248 5001341-022 ND5785 5001341-022 ND5676 5001341-022 ND5661 5001341-022 JW0265 5001341-022 ND5699 5001341-022 ND5767 5001341-022 JW0259 5001341-022 ND5680 5001341-022 ND5749 5001341-022 JW0235 5001341-022 ND5776 5001341-022 ND8580 5001341-022 MG6039 5001341-022 ND9127 5001341-022 JW4287 5001341-022 JW0262 5001341-022 JW0445 5001341-022 JW4665 5001341-022 MG5901 5001341-022 NE0303 5001341-022 ND8703 5001341-022 JW4574 5001341-022 JW4286 5001341-022 JW4491 5001341-022 JW4630 5001341-022 JW4391 5001341-022 MG6550 5001341-022 MG6776 5001341-022 JW4586 5001341-022 JW0352 5001341-022 JW4261 5001341-022 MG6135 5001341-022 JW4685 5001341-022 MG6772 5001341-022 MG6793 5001341-022 MG7111 5001341-022 ND8618 5001341-022 JW0644 5001341-022 JW4631 5001341-022 JW4651 5001341-022 JW0234 5001341-022 JW4646 804121 NN9016 804121 VJ3393 804121 PX3694 804121 RK9168 804121 PX5023 804121 VJ3324 804121 VJ3504 804121 NN9115 804121 NN8936 804121 PX3816 804121 VJ3412 804121 RK9163 804121 VJ3447 804121 RK9230 804121 RK9109 804121 PX4627 804121 RK8990 804121 SP9459 804121 RK8656 804121 NN8933 804121 VJ3444 804121 ND5864 804121 NN9020 804121 RK8905 804121 SR1733 804121 NN9047 804121 PX3692 804121 PX3786 804121 NN9025 804121 NN9007 804121 RK9100 804121 VJ3399 804121 PX4970 804121 PX5013 804121 RK8904 804121 NN8986 804121 NN8829 804121 VJ3459 804121 RK9143 804121 VJ3414 804121 NN9028 804121 SP1557 804121 PX5003 804121 PX5042 804121 VJ3475 804121 ND7330 804121 PX3714 831021-003 NS8913 831021-003 ND6512 831021-003 ND6941 831021-003 ND9576 831021-003 NS7555 831021-003 NS8286 831021-003 NS7447 831021-003 ND6488 831021-003 ND8296 831021-003 ND6956 831021-003 ND7879 831021-003 ND6509 831021-003 ND9814 831021-003 NN7331 831021-003 ND6991 831021-003 ND6894 831021-003 NS6413 831021-003 ND7344 831021-003 ND6947 831021-003 NN8732 831021-003 ND8536 831021-003 ND6946 831021-003 ND6723 831021-003 ND9294 831021-003 ND9290 831021-003 ND6013 831021-003 ND8937 831021-003 NS7160 831021-003 NS6435 831021-003 NS6591 831021-003 ND9558 831021-003 NS8479 831021-003 NS9382 831021-003 ND8965 831021-003 ND9837 831021-003 ND5959 831021-003 NS6491 831021-003 NS9072 831021-003 ND9625 831021-003 ND6714 831021-003 ND6820 831021-003 ND8972 831021-003 NE0286 831021-003 NE0347 831021-003 ND8010 831021-003 ND8956 831021-003 ND9535 831021-003 ND9831 831021-003 NE0227 831021-003 ND8283 831021-003 ND9730 831021-003 NN7656 831021-003 NS7775 831021-003 ND9815 831021-003 ND6135 831021-003 NS8491 831021-003 NS6395 831021-003 NS8584 831021-003 NN7272 831021-003 MG7159 831021-003 NS6592 831021-003 ND7862 831021-003 ND6684 831021-003 NN7744 831021-003 ND7480 831021-003 ND7873 831021-003 ND6827 831021-003 ND6576 831021-003 ND9261 831021-003 NS8686 831021-003 ND9052 831021-003 ND6897 831021-003 ND6565 831021-003 NN8966 831021-003 PX3707 831021-003 NS7031 831021-003 ND6584 831021-003 ND9883 Start Printed Page 50207 831021-003 NS6535 831021-003 ND7852 831021-003 ND9662 831021-003 ND7871 831021-003 JW0106 831021-003 ND8305 831021-003 NS6409 831021-003 NE0442 831021-003 ND9095 831021-003 ND9302 831021-003 ND9023 831021-003 ND8009 831021-003 ND8477 831021-003 ND7492 831021-003 ND8776 831021-003 ND6524 831021-003 ND6704 831021-003 ND8911 831021-003 ND8789 831021-003 ND8798 831021-003 ND6407 831021-003 ND7668 831021-003 ND9179 831021-003 NE0421 831021-003 ND6513 831021-003 ND6744 831021-003 ND7654 831021-003 ND7870 831021-003 ND9759 831021-003 ND6561 831021-003 ND5826 831021-003 ND6031 831021-003 ND8714 831021-003 ND8872 831021-003 ND6678 831021-003 ND6629 831021-003 ND8995 831021-003 NE0302 831021-003 ND6405 831021-003 NS8300 831021-003 NS8769 831021-003 NS7147 831021-003 ND6649 831021-003 ND7766 831021-003 NS7864 831021-003 NS8734 831021-003 ND6677 831021-003 NS7911 831021-003 ND8205 831021-003 ND8804 831021-003 ND6639 831021-003 ND8994 831021-003 ND7275 831021-003 ND9195 831021-003 ND6178 831021-003 ND8639 831021-003 ND9760 831021-003 ND9108X 831021-003 ND6427 831021-003 ND6590 831021-003 NS6551 831021-003 JW1158 831021-003 ND6412 831021-003 ND7922 831021-003 NS8678 831021-003 ND8930 831021-003 ND6596 831021-003 ND9570 831021-003 NN9027 831021-003 ND6446 831021-003 NE0275 831021-003 ND9917 831021-003 NS7919 831021-003 NS7907 831021-003 ND6583 831021-003 NN7420 831021-003 ND7746 831021-003 ND8187 831021-003 NN8999 831021-003 ND6043 831021-003 ND7880 831021-003 NN7175 831021-003 ND9816 831021-003 ND8174 831021-003 ND6045 831021-003 NS7562 831021-003 JW0075 831021-003 ND6848 831021-003 ND8531 831021-003 ND6311 831021-003 ND8144 831021-003 ND5798 831021-003 ND8113 831021-003 ND9642 831021-003 ND7436 831021-003 ND9054 831021-003 ND9683 831021-003 ND5991 831021-003 ND6026 831021-003 ND6616 831021-003 ND6530 831021-003 NE0374 831021-003 ND6364 831021-003 ND7718 831021-003 ND6473 831021-003 ND6436 831021-003 ND6887 831021-003 ND6518 831021-003 ND6479 831021-003 NS6330 831021-003 ND7264 831021-003 ND8151 831021-003 ND6562 831021-003 NS8776 831021-003 ND6519 831021-003 ND7659 831021-003 NS9049 831021-003 NS6861 831021-003 ND9571 831021-003 ND9346 831021-003 ND6501 831021-003 NS8505 831021-003 ND9338 831021-003 ND9775 831021-003 ND6485 831021-003 ND7165 831021-003 ND9371 831021-003 ND9537 831021-003 NS7889 831021-003 ND7877 831021-003 ND8670 831021-003 ND9032 831021-003 ND8781 831021-003 ND8604 831021-003 ND9329 831021-003 ND9110 831021-003 ND5997 831021-003 ND6027 831021-003 ND9589 831021-003 ND6575 831021-003 ND6592 831021-003 ND6463 831021-003 NS8583 831021-003 NS8590 831021-003 NS8567 831021-003 NS6795 831021-003 NS7110 831021-003 NS6587 831021-003 NS6404 831021-003 ND6486 5001341-022 JW0942 5001341-022 ND9231 5001341-022 JW4812 5001341-022 ND6555 5001341-022 M1375 5001341-022 MG6627 5001341-022 MG6794 5001341-022 ND9399 5001341-022 NE0084 5001341-022 MG6252 5001341-022 ND7422 5001341-022 ND7043 5001341-022 MG5722 5001341-022 MG5918 5001341-022 ND6984 5001341-022 M0839 5001341-022 M0922 5001341-022 M0938 5001341-022 M1117 5001341-022 M0307 5001341-022 JW3871 5001341-022 M1125 5001341-022 M1149 5001341-022 JW2681 5001341-022 M0270 5001341-022 M1120 5001341-022 M0205 5001341-022 AE9352 5001341-022 JW3492 5001341-022 ND6148 5001341-022 ND8907 5001341-022 M1235 5001341-022 MG5585 5001341-022 ND8436 5001341-022 MG5696 5001341-022 ND8704 5001341-022 JW2284 5001341-022 JW2313 5001341-022 JW2498 5001341-022 JW2541 5001341-022 JW2560 5001341-022 JW2589 5001341-022 JW2639 5001341-022 JW2760 5001341-022 JW2792 5001341-022 M0579 5001341-022 MG2825 5001341-022 MG5477 5001341-022 ND5917 5001341-022 JW1976 5001341-022 JW2653 5001341-022 JW2608 5001341-022 JW2727 5001341-022 JW2764 5001341-022 JW2265 5001341-022 JW2474 5001341-022 JW2396 5001341-022 JW3554 5001341-022 JW2667 5001341-022 MG2302 5001341-022 MG3972 5001341-022 JW3930 5001341-022 ND6749 Start Printed Page 50208 5001341-022 M1172 5001341-022 JW2104 5001341-022 JW2519 5001341-022 JW2640 5001341-022 JW2517 5001341-022 JW2663 5001341-022 JW2823 5001341-022 M0536 5001341-022 JW2725 5001341-022 MG5917 5001341-022 JW0681 5001341-022 JW0711 5001341-022 JW0740 5001341-022 JW0807 5001341-022 JW1089 5001341-022 JW1362 5001341-022 JW2065 5001341-022 MG2434 5001341-022 MG2846 5001341-022 JW0806 804121 NN9854 804121 NN9024 804121 NN9032 804121 PX5029 804121 NN9050 804121 NS8242 804121 NS8260 804121 PX4273 804121 PX4378 804121 RL0857 804121 RX8763 804121 NS8331 804121 NN9824 804121 MG6979 804121 MG7023 804121 MG7055 804121 RK8914 804121 RL0023 804121 PX4328 804121 RK9008 804121 TG1506 804121 KK8226 804121 MG2604 804121 NS6691 804121 RK8968 804121 NN9917 804121 RK7824 804121 M1343 804121 NS6559 804121 NS7767 804121 NE0363 804121 PX3771 804121 NN9972 804121 RL0460 804121 RK8310 804121 SR2115 804121 TG2826 804121 PX5018 804121 PX5002 831021-003 ND7627 831021-003 ND6890 831021-003 ND7461 831021-003 ND9616 831021-003 NE0413 831021-003 NS8825 831021-003 NS6350 831021-003 NS7168 831021-003 NS7705 831021-003 NS7848 831021-003 ND9128 831021-003 ND9541 831021-003 ND9671 831021-003 ND9684 831021-003 NE0277 831021-003 NE0384 831021-003 NE0396 831021-003 ND6421 831021-003 ND6599 831021-003 ND6614 831021-003 ND7847 831021-003 ND8346 831021-003 ND8853 831021-003 ND8915 831021-003 NS8719 831021-003 NS8838 831021-003 NT0169 831021-003 NS9584 831021-003 ND6445 831021-003 ND6834 831021-003 ND7467 831021-003 ND8887 831021-003 ND6520 831021-003 NS8611 831021-003 NS7640 831021-003 NN7037 831021-003 NN7590 831021-003 NN8120 831021-003 NN8573 831021-003 NN9719 831021-003 NS8784 831021-003 TB6B367 831021-003 NN9557 831021-003 NN9710 831021-003 NS8374 831021-003 NS8770 831021-003 NS9022 831021-003 NS8416 831021-003 NS6474 831021-003 ND8912 831021-003 NT0108 831021-003 NS8836 831021-003 NN8310 831021-003 NS8559 5001341-022 JW2313 5001341-022 JW2498 5001341-022 JW2541 5001341-022 JW2560 5001341-022 JW2589 5001341-022 JW2639 5001341-022 JW2760 5001341-022 JW2792 5001341-022 JW4713 5001341-022 MG6743 5001341-022 ND8924 831021-003 ND9177 831021-003 ND9496 831021-003 NS7894 831021-003 NS9072 804121 PX3805 804121 PX4266 For Engines Installed on an Airplane
(1) For engines installed on an airplane with affected 1st stage fan blades installed, perform the actions in paragraphs (f)(3) through (f)(6)(ii) of this AD at the next 1st stage fan blade exposure.
For Engines Not Installed on an Airplane, or, for Affected 1st Stage Fan Blades Not Installed in an Engine
(2) For engines not installed on an airplane with affected 1st stage fan blades installed, or, for affected 1st stage fan blades not installed in an engine, paragraph (h) of this AD applies.
1st Stage Fan Blade Check
(3) Check the 1st stage fan blade for a circled, letter I, on the approved marking area of the outboard side of the blade platform. If the blade has this marking, no further action is required.
(4) Remove 1st stage fan blades without a circled, letter I, on the approved marking area of the outboard side of the blade platform, if installed.
(5) Inspect the 1st stage fan blade root thickness. You can find information on inspecting the blade root thickness in PW Engine Manual Section 72-31-02, Inspect-01, and Repair-23.
(6) For 1st stage fan blades that pass the inspection referenced in paragraph (f)(5) of this AD:
(i) Vibropeen the letter I and a circle around that letter, on the approved marking area of the outboard side of the blade platform. You can find information on approved blade marking in the JT9D-7R4 Engine Manual, Section 72-31-02, Typical Repair-13, Mark Repair Codes.
(ii) Return the 1st stage fan blades to service.
Definition
(g) For the purposes of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, next 1st stage fan blade exposure is:
(1) When any 1st stage fan blade is removed from the engine; or
(2) When the 1st stage fan hub is removed from the engine.
Prohibited Installation
(h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 1st stage fan blades listed in Table 1 of this AD on any airplane, unless the actions of this AD have been done to the 1st stage fan blades.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) None.
Start SignatureEnd Signature End Supplemental InformationIssued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 24, 2007.
Mark A. Rumizen,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17210 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Document Information
- Effective Date:
- 10/5/2007
- Published:
- 08/31/2007
- Department:
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Final rule.
- Document Number:
- E7-17210
- Dates:
- This AD becomes effective October 5, 2007.
- Pages:
- 50204-50208 (5 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Docket No. FAA-2005-23072, Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-38-AD, Amendment 39-15186, AD 2007-18-06
- RINs:
- 2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
- RIN Links:
- https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
- Topics:
- Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety
- PDF File:
- e7-17210.pdf
- CFR: (1)
- 14 CFR 39.13