2011-25-12: Sun gear

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2011-25-12 Pratt & Whitney Canada: Amendment 39-16888; Docket No. FAA-2011-1298; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-39-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective December 28, 2011. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-15AG, -27, -28, - 34, -34AG, -34B, and -36 series turboprop engines that have had maintenance done to the power section module involving the first stage reduction sun gear or planetary gear set replacement since December 22, 2008, and having a: (1) Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (TAATI) part manufacturer approval (PMA) replacement first stage reduction sun gear, part number (P/N) E3024765, serial numbers (S/Ns) PC5-051 through PC5-089, or S/Ns SG36-051 through SG36-120, installed; or (2) TAATI PMA replacement planetary gear set, P/N E3101455-02, S/Ns EE-051 through EE-197, or S/Ns EE-4051 through EE-4094, or S/N EE-4113, installed. (d) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a failure report of a certain TAATI PMA sun gear, installed since December 22, 2008. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the sun gear, which will result in an engine in-flight shut down, possible uncontained engine failure, aircraft damage, and serious injuries. (e) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (f) Chip Detector Inspections (1) Within 10 operating hours after the effective date of this AD: (i) Inspect thechip detector on the propeller reduction gearbox assembly for metal debris. (ii) Do the inspections in accordance with paragraph 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. T-804, Revision B, dated November 7, 2011. If the amount of metal debris found exceeds the allowable limits then, before further flight, permanently remove from service the affected gears as specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. (2) Repeat the chip detector inspections within every 25 additional operating hours thereafter, until the affected gears are removed from service. (g) Gear Removals From Service Within 60 operating hours or 365 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, permanently remove from service the PMA replacement TAATI first stage reduction sun gear and the interacting planetary gears, and the PMA replacement TAATI planetary gear sets and interacting gears, listed in paragraph (c) of this AD, from the propeller reduction gearbox assembly. (h) Installation Prohibition (1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any airplane, any engine or power section module with a TAATI PMA replacement first stage reduction sun gear, P/N E3024765, S/Ns PC5- 051 through PC5-089, or S/Ns SG36-051 through SG36-120, or the associated planetary gears in the propeller reduction gearbox assembly. (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any airplane, any engine or power section module with a TAATI PMA planetary gear set, P/N E3101455-02, S/Ns EE-051 through EE-197, or S/Ns EE-4051 through EE-4094, or S/N EE-4113, or the associated first stage sun gear in the propeller reduction gearbox assembly. (i) Gears Are Matched Sets The sun gear and planetary gear sets as-installed are considered to be matched sets. Therefore, the sun gear and planetary gear sets associated as mating parts with an affected gear in the propeller reduction gearbox assembly must also be permanently removed from service. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (k) Related Information For further information about this AD, contact: Paul Craig, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Suite 100, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5252; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: paul.craig@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference You must use the following service information to do the chip detector [[Page 77382]] inspections required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the following service information on the date specified: (1) Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. T-804, Revision B, dated November 7, 2011, approved for IBR December 28, 2011. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Timken Alcor Aerospace Technologies, Inc., 3110 N. Oakland, Mesa, Arizona 85215; phone: (480) 632-1039; Web site: http://www.timken.com/mro. (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (781) 238-7125. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030 or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.