AD 2004-20-01

This AD becomes effective November 5, 2004. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of November 5, 2004.

You can get the service information identified in this AD from Honeywell Engines & Systems, Technical Publications Department, 111 South 34th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034; telephone (602) 365-5535; fax (602) 365-5577.

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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 AD. The proposed AD applies to PWC models PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G turboprop engines. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on December 10, 2003 (68 FR 68802). That action proposed to require initial and repetitive gap inspections of the bypass valve cover, on certain part number (P/N) mechanical fuel controls (MFCs), and replacement of those MFCs as mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections.

Examining the AD Docket: 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 provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the public.

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

There are about 2,800 PWC models PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, and PW127G turboprop engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 473 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. We also estimate that it will take about 0.1 work hour per engine to perform the inspection, about 1 work hour per engine to replace the MFC during maintenance, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $72,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $34,089,819. The manufacturer has stated that it may provide the new design MFCs at no cost to operators, and that if the MFC is replaced at shop visit, no additional labor costs will be incurred.

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-35-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):