# AD 2014-14-02: O-ring seal - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Historical - Products: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120, PW121, PW121A, PW124B, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G and PW127M - Effective: August 15, 2014 - Published: July 11, 2014, 79 FR 39958–39959 - Issued: June 30, 2014 - Issued as: Final rule - Superseded by: [AD 2015-20-03](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2015-20-03) - Product type: Engine - Amendment: 39-17896 - Docket: FAA-2013-1059 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2013-1059) - Project: 2013-NE-36-AD - Registered aircraft: 56 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/95/81/95812bbc3883e4205da5d1f86ff1b05644845c710c2cecc7aa29585ab9fa1e40 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2014-07-11/pdf/2014-16187.pdf) - Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/07/11/2014-16187/airworthiness-directives-pratt-and-whitney-canada-corp-turboprop-engines - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/B0B8CB4A5A45CBFE86257D1200498104.0001 - DRS record last changed: August 7, 2025 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2014-14-02 ## Summary We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW120, PW121, PW121A, PW124B, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines. This AD requires removal of the O-ring seal from the fuel manifold fitting. This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks at the interface between the fuel manifold and the fuel nozzle that resulted in engine fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight fuel leakage, which could lead to engine fire, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. ## The airworthiness directive 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): 2014-14-02 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-17896; Docket No. FAA-2013-1059; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-36-AD. ### (a) Effective Date This AD becomes effective August 15, 2014. ### (b) Affected ADs None. ### (c) Applicability This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW120, PW121, and PW121A turboprop engines with Post SB21610 configuration; PW124B, PW127, PW127E, and PW127F turboprop engines with either Post SB21607 or Post SB21705 configuration, or both; and PW127G and PW127M turboprop engines. ### (d) Reason This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks at the interface between the fuel manifold and the fuel nozzle that resulted in engine fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight fuel leakage, which could lead to engine fire, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. ### (e) Actions and Compliance Unless already done, during the next opportunity when the affected subassembly is accessible, but no later than 18 months after the effective date of this AD, remove the O-ring seal from the fuel manifold fitting. ### (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. ### (g) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7117; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: kevin.dickert@faa.gov. (2) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada AD CF-2013-29, dated October 4, 2013, for related information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-1059. (3) P&WC Service Bulletin PW100-72-21803, Revision No. 4, dated February 8, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from Pratt & Whitney Canada, using the contact information in paragraph (g)(4) of this AD. (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin Blvd., Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; Web site: www.pwc.ca. (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. ### (h) Material Incorporated by Reference None. ## Rule preamble ### Dates This AD becomes effective August 15, 2014. ### Addresses For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; phone: 800-268-8000; fax: 450-647-2888; Web site: www.pwc.ca. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. ### For further information contact Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7117; fax: 781-238-7199; email: kevin.dickert@faa.gov. ### Discussion We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 21, 2014 (79 FR 15707). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: There have been reported incidences of fuel leaks at the interface between the flexible fuel manifold and the fuel nozzle. On occasion, these events resulted in an engine fire on PW100 series engine installations. The data indicates that nearly all of the subject manifold fuel leaks were caused by inadequate B-nut torque application during installation, after maintenance work was performed on the fuel nozzle/manifold. Sealing of the fitting connections between the fuel manifolds and the fuel nozzle adapters is achieved through conical metal-to-metal surface seating. An additional O-ring seal on the fitting was installed to arrest any fuel leak past the conical sealing surfaces. In-service experience has indicated that leakage past the sealing surfaces, as a result of improper torquing during installation of the manifold, may not be immediately evident until the failure of the O-ring seal allows the fuel to leak into the nacelle area. ### Comments We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comment received. ### Request To Mandate Incorporation of Service Bulletins UTair Aviation JSC requested that we mandate incorporation of P&WC Service Bulletins (SBs) PW100-72-21841, Revision No. 1, dated November 29, 2013; and PW100-72-21848, Revision No. 1, dated November 15, 2013, in the AD. The commenter suggested that incorporation by reference of these SBs would improve safety compared to the compliance proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 15707, March 21, 2014). We disagree. We note that prior to implementation of these SBs, an operator would need to remove the affected O-ring seals, which would fulfill the requirements of this AD. We do not find that requiring accomplishing these service bulletins through incorporation by reference in this AD is necessary. We did not change this AD. ### Conclusion We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed. ### Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD affects about 150 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2.5 hours per engine to perform the inspection or replacement required by this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $31,875. ### Authority for This Rulemaking 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. ### Regulatory Findings We 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 this AD: (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), (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and (4) 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. ### Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: ## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS E20NE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/E20NE): Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.; names 9 of 26 models: PW124B, PW127F, PW121A, PW127G, PW120, PW121, PW127E, PW127M… ## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs) Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - Aircraft: 56 (0 by airframe model, 56 by engine model) - Makers: Aerospatiale/Aeritalia 16, Atr-Gie Avions De Trnsp Rgnl 12, Atr-Gie Avions De Trnsp Region 5, Dehavilland 5, Aerospatiale 3, Aerospatiale/Alenia 3, Boeing 3, Aerospatiale/Atr 2, Airbus Defense And Space S A 2, ATR 2 Models with the most aircraft: - [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw127m): 18 aircraft (engine model) - [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw120): 17 aircraft (engine model) - [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW121](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw121): 14 aircraft (engine model) - [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW124 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw124-series): 2 aircraft (engine model) - [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw127f): 2 aircraft (engine model) - [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw127g): 2 aircraft (engine model) - [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw127e): 1 aircraft (engine model) All 7 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2014-14-02/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2014-14-02/aircraft.md ## Related documents - [AD 2015-20-03](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2015-20-03): Fuel nozzle and the fuel manifold flow adapter · Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120, PW121, PW121A and 6 more. Effective Nov 18, 2015. Supersedes this AD - [Proposed rule FAA-2013-1059](https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2013-1059): Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published Mar 21, 2014 - [Proposed rule FAA-2013-1059](https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2013-1059): Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published Jun 2, 2015 Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.