AD 2021-09-10

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-04-15 for all Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-3A, JT9D-7, JT9D-7A, JT9D-7AH, JT9D- 7F, JT9D-7H, JT9D-7J, JT9D-7Q, JT9D-7Q3, JT9D-7R4D, JT9D-7R4D1, JT9D- 7R4E, JT9D-7R4E1, JT9D-7R4E4, JT9D-7R4G2, JT9D-7R4H1, JT9D-20, JT9D- 20J, JT9D-59A, and JT9D-70A (JT9D) model turbofan engines. AD 2012-04- 15 required revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part opportunity. AD 2012-04-15 also required additional revisions to the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA for JT9D model turbofan engines. This AD requires revising the required inspections of selected critical life-limited parts specified in the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA and, for air carriers, to the existing continuous airworthiness air carrier maintenance program (CAMP). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

The Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by: 0 a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2012-04-15, Amendment 39-16971 (77 FR 15939, March 19, 2012); and 0 b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-09-10 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-21524; Docket No. FAA-2020- 1116; Project Identifier AD-2020-00784-E. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 27, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2012-04-15, Amendment 39-16971 (77 FR 15939, March 19, 2012). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-3A, JT9D-7, JT9D-7A, JT9D-7AH, JT9D-7F, JT9D-7H, JT9D-7J, JT9D-7Q, JT9D-7Q3, JT9D-7R4D, JT9D-7R4D1, JT9D-7R4E, JT9D-7R4E1, JT9D-7R4E4, JT9D- 7R4G2, JT9D-7R4H1, JT9D-20, JT9D-20J, JT9D-59A, and JT9D-70A (JT9D) model turbofan engines. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by the need to require enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts of PW JT9D model turbofan engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the failure of critical life-limited rotating engine parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Required Actions \n\n\n\tWithin 30 days after the effective date of this AD, add Figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) and, for air carrier operations, to the existing continuous airworthiness air carrier maintenance program. BILLING CODE 4910-13-P \n\n((Page 21183)) \n\n(GRAPHIC) (TIFF OMITTED) TR22AP21.000 \n\n\n\n((Page 21184)) \n\n\n\n(GRAPHIC) (TIFF OMITTED) TR22AP21.001 \n\nBILLING CODE 4910-13-C \n\n(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(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 Related Information. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards districtoffice/certificate holding district office. \n\n((Page 21185)) \n\n(i) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Nicholas Paine, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7742; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: nicholas.j.paine@faa.gov. \n\n(j) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n\n\tIssued on April 16, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-08327 Filed 4-21-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Background \n\n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2012-04-15, Amendment 39-16971 (77 FR 15939, March 19, 2012), (AD 2012-04-15). AD 2012-04-15 applied to all PW JT9D model turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2020 (85 FR 81162). The NPRM was prompted by the need to require enhanced inspection of selected critical life- limited parts of PW JT9D model turbofan engines. Since the FAA issued AD 2012-04-15, PW identified errors in the list of mandatory inspections to add to the ALS. During review of the AD, PW found that AD 2012-04-15 did not include eddy current inspections of the fan hubs. Additionally, PW identified duplicate inspections of the HPT Stage 2 disk tie rod and web cooling holes. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the required inspections of selected critical life- limited parts specified in the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA and,for air carriers, to the existing CAMP. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. \n\nDiscussion of Final Airworthiness Directive \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA received comments from two commenters. The commenters were Atlas Air Inc. (Atlas Air) and Boeing Commercial Airplanes (Boeing). The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment. \n\nRequest To Add Missing Figure Label \n\n\n\tAtlas Air requested that the FAA add the figure label to paragraph (g), Required Actions, of this AD. \n\n((Page 21182)) \n\n\n\tThe FAA agrees and notes that a formatting issue resulted in the missing figure label from Figure 1 to paragraph (g) in the NPRM. The FAA expects this formatting issue will be corrected with the publication of this final rule. \n\nAddition of Engine Models to Figure \n\n\n\tThe FAA determined the need to update Figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD to specifically reference PW JT9D-7R4G2, and JT9D-7R4H1 model turbofan engines. AD 2012-04-15 included these engines under ''7R4 ALL,'' however, the FAA inadvertently left these engines out of Figure 1 when identifying the individual engine models in the proposed rule. This revision does not change the number of affected engines that the FAA estimated in the NPRM and imposes no additional burden on operators of U.S. airplanes. \n\nSupport for the AD \n\n\n\tBoeing expressed support for the AD as written. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any 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 and any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 27 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. Based on updated information since the publication of AD 2012-04-15, the FAA reduced the estimated number of engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry from 438 in AD 2012-04- 15 to 27 in this final rule. \n\tThe FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per Cost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update ALS............................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $2,295 \n\thour = $85. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \n\tThe 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThe 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 relationshipbetween the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.