AD 2004-26-04

This AD becomes effective February 9, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of February 9, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of certain other publications as listed in the regulations as of December 28, 1999 (64 FR 58328, October 29, 1999).

You can get the service information identified in this AD from Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-7700; fax (860) 565-1605.

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.

Keith Lardie, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7189; fax (781) 238-7199.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42356). That action proposed to require installation of improved HPT containment hardware on JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 engines in accordance with Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. JT8D A6346, dated September 10, 1998, or Revision 1, dated April 23, 1999, or Revision 2, dated December 1, 1999, or Revision 3, dated May 21, 2004. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42356).

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 have considered the one comment received. The commenter supports the proposal.

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

There are about 2,345 PW JT8D-200 series turbofan engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 1,143 engines are installed on airplanes of U.S. registry, and that 280 engines will be affected by this AD. We estimate that 80% of the -217C and -219 engines already have the improved HPT containment hardware installed. We also estimate that no additional labor costs will be incurred when these parts are installed during engine shop visit. Required parts will cost about $19,991 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $5,597,480.

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 regulations for 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.

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. 92-ANE-15-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 removing Amendment 39-11392 (64 FR 58328, October 29, 1999) and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), Amendment 39-13916, to read as follows: