AD 2003-24-12 R1

Effective December 18, 2003.

We must receive any comments on this AD by March 1, 2004.

Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this AD:

• By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NE-52-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

• By fax: (781) 238-7055.

• By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov

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

Keith Lardie, Aerospace Engineer, Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park; telephone (781) 238-7189; fax (781) 238-7199.

On November 25, 2003, the FAA issued AD 2003-24-12, Amendment 39-13381 (68 FR 67585, December 3, 2003). That AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the gearbox pressure tube and No. 4 bearing front pressure manifold and the attaching clamp assemblies for correct positioning and for wear and damage, and replacement if necessary. That AD was the result of a report of a failed gearbox pressure tube that resulted in an engine fire. That condition, if not corrected, could result in engine fires caused by failed gearbox pressure tubes or failed No. 4 bearing front pressure manifolds.

Since that AD was issued, errors in the depicted clamping configuration have been found. The clamping configuration must be correct to ensure that AD compliance can be achieved. Also, an operator has requested that as an option to inspecting dented tubing by passing a ball bearing through the tube, to add dent depth limit criteria for each specific part number tube. The manufacturer supports this optional method and we have added it to the AD. This method avoids having to disconnect the tube from the engine.

The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other PW JT9D-3A, -7, -7A, -7F, -7H, -7AH, and -7J turbofan engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent an engine fire caused by a failed gearbox pressure tube. This AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the gearbox pressure tube, P/N 697896, the No. 4 bearing front pressure manifold, P/N 670663, and the attaching clamp assemblies, P/Ns ST1594-06, ST1594-08, and ST1594-10, for correct positioning, for wear and damage, and replacement if necessary.

The effective date of this AD is the same as AD 2003-24-12. We discussed the errors depicted in AD 2003-24-12 with the U.S. operators, and adding the optional dent inspection method, and conclude that there is no adverse impact from using the same effective date.

On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47998, July 22, 2002), which governs our AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “AD Docket No. 2003-NE-52-AD” in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a substantive part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those comments.

We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of our communications with you. You may get more information about plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the location.

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.

Accordingly, under 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-13381 (68 FR 67585, December 3, 2003), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-13410, to read as follows: