AD 2003-21-03

This AD becomes effective November 20, 2003. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of November 20, 2003.

You can get the service information identified in this AD from Pratt & Whitney Canada, Technical Publications Department, 1000 Marie Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec J4G 1A1.

You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the 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.

Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199.

The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies to PWC models PW118, PW120, PW120A, and PW121 turboprop engines. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on June 6, 2003 (68 FR 33885). That action proposed to require replacing the low pressure rotor speed (NL) sensor port sealing tube and reworking or replacing the external air tube connecting the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the rear inlet case.

Since the issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), we found that the Accomplishment paragraphs referenced in compliance paragraphs (g), (h), (h)(1), and (h)(2) of the proposed rule are incorrect because of a change in service bulletin revisions. This AD corrects those Accomplishment paragraph references.

We provided the public with the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Two commenters state that there is no reference in the NPRM to the original service bulletin (SB) or any earlier revisions. The commenters have received confirmation from the manufacturer that the original SB and earlier revisions are technically equivalent to PWC SB No. 20914, Revision 4, dated December 14, 2001. Therefore, they are requesting that compliance with the original SB or any earlier revisions be permitted as full compliance with the intent of the AD and that no further action be required.

The FAA agrees. The AD is revised to add new compliance paragraph (f). The regulatory section of this AD is renumbered from (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) to (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), and (k).

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 neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. That regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. The material previously was included in each individual AD. Since the material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

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 by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “AD Docket No. 2003-NE-11-AD” in your request.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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

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