2019-22-03: Turbine Engine Reduction 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717, October 14, 2015), and adding the following new AD: 2019-22-03 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-19782; Docket No. FAA-2018-0739; Product Identifier 2015-NE-07-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective December 24, 2019. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2015-20-04, Amendment 39-18282 (80 FR 61717, October 14, 2015). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B-37A turboshaft engines with serial number (S/N) PCE-PU0275 or earlier or with engine S/N PCE-PU0278. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7210, Turbine Engine Reduction Gear. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect engine torque for PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent axial movement at the No. 10 bearing position in the engine reduction gearbox (RGB) assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine overtorque, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For affected engines that did not have the bearings replaced in accordance with P&WC Service Bulletin (SB) No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 5, dated October 27, 2017, or earlier revision: Remove from service and replace the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, but no later than December 31, 2020, whichever occurs first, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A. and B., of P&WC SB PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017. (2) For affected engines that had the bearings replaced in accordance with P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39092, Revision No. 5, dated October 27, 2017, or earlier revision: Remove from service and replace the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearings before December 31, 2020, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A. and B., of P&WC SB PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017. (h) Credit for Previous Action You may take credit for the No. 9 and No. 10 position bearing replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if you performed the replacement before the effective date of this AD using P&WC SB No. PT6B-72-39108, dated September 30, 2016. (i) Definition For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit''is the induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, or any removal of the RGB assembly. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (k) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov. (2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2015-01R1, dated November 18, 2016, for more information. You may examine the Transport Canada AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0739. (l) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) Service Bulletin No. PT6B-72-39108, Revision No. 1, dated September 5, 2017. (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; website: https://www.pwc.ca/en/. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. (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, email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.