AD 2003-16-05

Effective September 12, 2003. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 12, 2003.

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-8770; fax (860) 565-4503. This information may be examined, by appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is applicable to PW JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 series turbofan engines was published in the Federal Register on March 25, 2003 (68 FR 14351). That action proposed to require removal and replacement of protective coating of the 7th and 9th through 12th stage HPC disks and the 8th stage HPC hub, initial and repetitive inspections for corrosion pits and cracks, and removal from service as required in accordance with PW alert service bulletin (ASB) JT8D A6435, Revision 1, dated March 7, 2003.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

One commenter requests that the disks inspected using PW ASB JT8D 6435, Revision 1, dated March 7, 2003, as well as all new disks, be tracked by the engine release date recorded on FAA 337 form or equivalent rather than per individual disk inspection dates. The commenter feels that this would significantly reduce the burden on airline records departments, especially for large operators, because the time between the disk inspection and the engine release date is typically not more than a few weeks.

The FAA does not agree. There is no way to ensure that the time between the disk inspection and the engine release date will always be a short or controlled amount of time. Some operators or repair facilities may elect to store disks in their inventory for long periods of time. Unless these disks are preserved using instructions in the ASB, the time in storage must be counted in the accumulation of time to the next inspection because the corrosion protective coatings begin to degrade while in storage without proper preservation. However, if an operator can show that their particular operation will always result in short controlled times between inspection and installation and can demonstrate that an acceptable level of safety is maintained, they may apply for relief in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD.

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this final rule.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under the 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

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

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows: