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From:
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NTSB
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To:
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FAA
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Date:
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1/25/2021
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Response:
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We note that, on February 27, 2020, you published Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO), “Pratt & Whitney Canada Model PT6A Engines,” which recommends that, during routine scheduled inspections of these engines before and after propeller installation, maintenance personnel and facilities visually verify that the propeller-reversing lever, or beta arm, and guide pin are correctly installed and, if necessary, fix any improper installations.
We believe the SAFO guidance is responsive to this recommendation and, because this is a maintenance issue and not related to certification, we continue to believe that your decision to publish a SAFO is an acceptable alternative to the SAIB that we recommended. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation A-16-53 is classified CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATE ACTION.
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From:
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FAA
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To:
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NTSB
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Date:
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9/4/2020
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Response:
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-From Steve Dickson, Administrator: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 20002, Pratt & Whitney Canada Model PT6A Engines, on February 27, 2020.
This SAFO alerts operators, owners, and maintenance providers of aircraft with PT6A engines (specifically the Pratt & Whitney Canada model) of a safety issue regarding the incorrect installation of reversing levers (beta arms) and guide pin.
Depending on airplane make and model, warnings about this issue in aircraft maintenance manuals vary, ranging from a general warning about the hazards of a misadjusted beta valve assembly, to no warning at all. In March 2016, Pratt & Whitney Canada issued Service Letter PT6A-239R1, Reversing lever guide pin bracket assembly, to alert operators about the hazards of incorrectly installing the propeller beta arm. Pratt & Whitney Canada also revised the PT6A engine maintenance and overhaul manuals, and a future plan is to redesign the guide pin. Maintenance personnel and facilities should visually verify that the propeller reversing lever (beta arm), and guide pin are properly installed on all Pratt & Whitney Canada model PT6A engines during routine scheduled inspections both before and after propeller installation.
If improper installations are found, they should be fixed by certificated and qualified technicians. These visual inspections should not only detect errors, but also heighten awareness in the maintenance community about the importance of proper installation of the reversing levers (beta arm) and guide pin.
I believe the FAA has effectively addressed Safety Recommendation A-16-53 and consider our actions complete.
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From:
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NTSB
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To:
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FAA
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Date:
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8/7/2018
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Response:
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We previously told you that a safety alert for operators (SAFO) would be an acceptable alternate solution to satisfy this recommendation, as this is a maintenance issue and not related to certification. We note that, due to other safety priorities and organizational changes, your work on the SAFO has been delayed until later this year. In the meantime, Safety Recommendation A-16-53 remains classified OPEN--ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATE RESPONSE.
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From:
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FAA
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To:
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NTSB
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Date:
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5/30/2018
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Response:
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-From Daniel K. Elwell, Acting Administrator: The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aircraft Maintenance Division continues to work on the publication of a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO). However. due to other safety priorities and changes within our organization, the estimated completion date is September 30. 2018. We will forward the SAFO to the Board once it is published.
I will keep the Board informed of the FAA ·s progress on this recommendation and provide an update by January 2019.
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From:
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NTSB
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To:
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FAA
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Date:
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5/4/2017
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Response:
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During our December 16, 2016, meeting regarding the issue with the propeller-reversing lever (beta arm) and guide pin, you indicated that, because this is a maintenance issue and not related to certification, a safety alert for operators (SAFO) would be more appropriate than an SAIB. We agreed that a SAFO would be an acceptable alternate solution, and we look forward to reviewing the SAFO once it has been published. In the meantime, Safety Recommendation A 16-53 is classified OPEN--ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATE RESPONSE.
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From:
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FAA
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To:
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NTSB
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Date:
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2/13/2017
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Response:
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-From Michael P. Huerta, Administrator: On December 16, 2016, the Board and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) discussed the propeller reversing lever (beta arm) and guide pin issue. It was agreed that issuing a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) as an alternative would better address this issue. We expect to complete this SAFO before the end of2017. We will forward the SAFO to the Board once it is published.
I will keep the Board informed of the FAA's progress on this safety recommendation and provide an update before the end of 2017.
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From:
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NTSB
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To:
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FAA
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Date:
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12/8/2016
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Response:
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On December 5, 2016, we adopted our report about preventing the incorrect installation of the reversing lever (beta arm) in Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines.1 Additional information about the investigative background and analysis that led to the resulting recommendations may be found in the safety recommendation report, which can be accessed at our Aviation Information Resources webpage under NTSB report number ASR-16-007.
As a result of this investigation, we issued one new recommendation to Pratt & Whitney Canada and the following new recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration.
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