2014-17-08: Compressor turbine (CT) blades

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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): 2014-17-08 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-17961; Docket No. FAA-2013-0766; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-26-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD becomes effective October 8, 2014. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6A- 114 and PT6A-114A turboprop engines. (d) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by several incidents of compressor turbine (CT) blade failure, causing power loss, and engine failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of CT blades, which could lead to damage to the engine and damage to the airplane. (e) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (1) For engines that have CT blades installed other than P&WC single crystal CT blades, part numbers (P/Ns) 3072791-01 or 3072791- 02, perform the following actions: (i) Within 150 operating hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a borescope inspection (BSI) of CT blades for engines with 500 or more hours time-since-new that have not been previously inspected or time-since-last-inspection (TSLI). (ii) Thereafter, repeat the inspection in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this AD within 500 flight hours TSLI. (iii) During the next hot section inspection (HSI) after the effective date of this AD, and each HSI thereafter, replace the complete set of CT blades with any of the following: (A) New CT blades; (B) CT blades that have passed a two-blade metallurgical examination in accordancewith paragraph 3.B., Accomplishment Instructions, of P&WC Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6A-72-1669, Revision 9, dated June 28, 2013; or (C) P&WC single crystal CT blades, P/Ns 3072791-01 or 3072791- 02. (2) Reserved. (f) Mandatory Terminating Action Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the complete set of CT blades with P&WC single crystal CT blades, P/ Ns 3072791-01 or 3072791-02. (g) Credit for Previous Action If you performed a metallurgical examination of single crystal CT blades before the effective date of this AD in accordance with P&WC SB No. PT6A-72-1669, Revision 8, dated January 17, 2013, or earlier versions, all of which are not incorporated by reference, you have met the initial inspection requirements of paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this AD. However, you must still comply with the repetitive BSI requirement of paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this AD. (h) 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. (i) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Morlath, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7154; fax: 781-238-7199; email: robert.c.morlath@faa.gov. (2) Refer to Transport Canada Civil Aviation AD CF-2013-21R1, dated November 13, 2013, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0766-0008. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless theAD specifies otherwise. (i) Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin No. PT6A-72-1669, Revision 9, dated June 28, 2013. (ii) Reserved. (3) For P&WC 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; Internet: www.pwc.ca. (4) You may view this service information at 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. (5) You may view this service information 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.