Transportation Department Docket FAA-2026-4643 Proposed Rule

2026-10408: Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Engines

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Summary

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of tailpipe fire, loss of thrust control, and engine in-flight shutdown due to undetected deterioration of pressure burner (Pb) sensors. This proposed AD would require replacing Pb sensors. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

The rule, in full

1,956 words as published, May 26, 2026. View the original →

Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 2026) [Federal Register Volume 91, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 2026)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 30514-30516] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-10408] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2026-4643; Project Identifier AD-2025-01612-E] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division Engines

Agency

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

Action

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of tailpipe fire, loss of thrust control, and engine in-flight shutdown due to undetected deterioration of pressure burner (Pb) sensors. This proposed AD would require replacing Pb sensors. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Dates

The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 10, 2026.

Addresses

You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Fax: (202) 493-2251. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-4643; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

For Further Information Contact

Molly Sturgis, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (562) 627-5373; email: [email protected].

Supplementary Information

Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-4643; Project Identifier AD-2025-01612-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may revise this proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI [[Page 30515]] should be sent to Molly Sturgis, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The FAA was notified of multiple events involving PW PW4000-94 engines in which tailpipe fire, loss of thrust control, or engine in- flight shutdown occurred. A manufacturer investigation revealed that these events were caused by undetected deterioration of Pb sensors due to epoxy deterioration, which can lead to erroneous Pb sensor measurements and incorrect fuel commands. This condition, if not addressed, could result in engine fire, loss of thrust control, and engine in-flight shutdown. FAA's Determination The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM This proposed AD would require replacing Pb sensors within certain compliance times. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 210 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost per Cost on U.S. Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replace Pb sensors.................... 2 work-hours x $85 per $15,694 $15,864 $3,331,440 hour = $170. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. The FAA is 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 The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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: Pratt & Whitney Division: Docket No. FAA-2026-4643; Project Identifier AD-2025-01612-E. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by July 10, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 engines. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7300, Engine Fuel and Control. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by multiple reports of tailpipe fire, loss of thrust control, and engine in-flight shutdown due to undetected deterioration of pressure burner (Pb) sensors. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct the deterioration of Pb sensors. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine fire, loss of thrust control, and engine in-flight shutdown. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for installation'' is a Pb sensor that has accumulated less than 30,000 flight hours (FH) since new or since repair and less than 10 years in service since new or since repair. (h) Required Actions (1) Replace the Pb sensor within the electronic engine control (EEC) with a part eligible for installation within the applicable number of months after the effective date of this AD, as specified in table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, and thereafter before accumulating 30,000 FH since new or since repair, or before accumulating 10 years in service, whichever occurs first. [[Page 30516]] Table 1 to Paragraph (h)--Pb Sensor Replacement Times -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less than 60,000 FH or 50,000-59,999 40,000-49,999 30,000-39,999 30,000 FH Unknown FH more since new FH since new FH since new FH since new since new or since new or Years in service since new or since repair as of the or since or since or since or since since repair since repair effective date of this AD repair as of repair as of repair as of repair as of as of the as of the the effective the effective the effective the effective effective date effective date date of this date of this date of this date of this of this AD * of this AD * AD * (months) AD * (months) AD* * (months) AD * (months) (months) (months) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 or more years........................................ 10 10 10 10 10 10 At or more than 14 years but less than 16 years......... 10 14 14 14 14 10 At or more than 12 years but less than 14 years......... 10 14 21 21 21 10 At or more than 10 years but less than 12 years......... 10 14 21 30 30 10 Less than 10 years...................................... 10 14 21 30 Refer to 10 paragraph (h)(2) of this AD Unknown years........................................... 10 10 10 10 10 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Flight hours since new or since repair: Calculate by rounding to the nearest hour. (2) For Pb sensors that have accumulated less than 30,000 FH since new or since repair and less than 10 years in service since new or since repair as of the effective date of this AD, replace the Pb sensor within the EEC with a part eligible for installation as follows, whichever occurs later: (i) Before accumulating 30,000 FH or 10 years in service since new or since repair as applicable, whichever occurs first. (ii) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD. Note 1 to paragraph (h): Guidance for determining the age of Pb sensors may be found in PW Service Bulletin PW4ENG 73-221, Revision No. 3, dated July 1, 2024. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: [email protected]. (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. (j) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Molly Sturgis, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (562) 627-5373; email: [email protected]. (2) For material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference, contact PW, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (800) 565-0140; email: [email protected]; website: connect.prattwhitney.com. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference None. Issued on May 21, 2026. Lona C. Saccomando, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-10408 Filed 5-22-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

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