AD 2007-18-06 ACTIVE

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.

Final rule.

2007-18-06 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.

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
804121NN9047
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
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
831021-003ND6178
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
831021-003ND6473
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
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
804121MG2604
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 1stStage 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.

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 regulationsfor 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 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:

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.

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.