[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 55 (Friday, March 20, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15943-15945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05711]
[[Page 15943]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0184; Project Identifier AD-2020-00187-E;
Amendment 39-21104; AD 2020-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-
JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM,
PW1130G-JM, and PW1129G-JM model turbofan engines with a certain low-
pressure turbine (LPT) 3rd-stage blade installed. This AD requires
initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSI) of the turbine
stator intermediate outer rear air seal (turbine piston seal) and,
depending on the results of the inspection, replacement with a part
eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by reports of failure
of turbine piston seals leading to fracture of the LPT 3rd-stage
blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 6, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 6,
2020.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by May 4, 2020.
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 https://www.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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this final rule, contact
International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT
06118, United States; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected];
website: https://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this service
information at the 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. It is also
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0184.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0184; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA has received reports of 57 instances of fractures occurring
on LPT 3rd-stage blades during operation since 2017.
In response to the LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures that occurred from
2017 until November 2019, and in response to on-going investigations of
these fractures, the FAA proposed an AD, Product Identifier 2019-NE-31-
AD (84 FR 64441, November 22, 2019), to replace the LPT 3rd-stage
blades with more impact-resistant LPT blades. The FAA also issued AD
2019-25-01 (84 FR 65666, November 29, 2019) to accelerate replacement
of certain LPT 3rd-stage blades on the affected engines. Since November
2019, 12 additional LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures have occurred.
The FAA investigation determined that 28 of the 57 LPT 3rd-stage
blade fractures resulted from wear and fracture of the turbine piston
seal releasing debris that impacted the LPT 3rd-stage blades. The FAA
is therefore issuing this AD to prevent failure of the turbine piston
seals and fracture of the LPT 3rd-stage blades.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or
more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney (P&W) Service Bulletin (SB)
PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 004, dated February 14,
2020. The service information describes procedures for performing
initial and repetitive BSIs of the LPT 3rd-stage turbine pistol seal.
This service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) TASK 72-
53-00-200-801-A. The AMM describes procedures for BSI of the LPT
assembly.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this AD because it evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires initial and repetitive BSI of the turbine piston
seal and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement with
a part eligible for installation.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without seeking comment prior to the
rulemaking. Similarly, Section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to
make rules effective in less than 30 days, upon a finding of good
cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule.
The affected IAE model turbofan
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engines, with a certain LPT 3rd-stage blade installed, have experienced
57 LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures during operation since 2017, with 12
LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures occurring between December 2019 and
February 2020. Twenty-eight of the 57 LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures
resulted from wear and fracture of the turbine piston seal releasing
debris that impacted the LPT 3rd-stage blades. The turbine piston seal
must be inspected within 15 days on engines operating on extended
operations (ETOPS) flights and within 45 days on engines that do not
operate on ETOPS flights. This unsafe condition may result in loss of
the airplane.
The FAA considers the inspection of the turbine piston seals to be
an urgent safety issue. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable and contrary to public interest
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the reasons stated
above, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)
for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views,
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2020-
0184 and Project Identifier AD-2020-00187-E at the beginning of your
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule 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
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact received about this AD.
Confidential Business Information
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be
sent to Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this rulemaking.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 40 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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BSI turbine piston seal............... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $6,800
hour = $170.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of engines
that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace turbine piston seal............. 30 work-hours x $85 per $30,000................... $32,550
hour = $2,550.
Replace set of LPT 3rd-stage blades..... 408 work-hours x $85 per $750,000 per blade set.... 784,680
hour = $34,680.
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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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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
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responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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):
2020-06-02 International Aero Engines LLC: Amendment 39-21104;
Docket No. FAA-2020-0184; Project Identifier AD-2020-00187-E.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective April 6, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE)
PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G1-JM,
PW1127G-JM, PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, PW1130G-JM, and PW1129G-JM
model turbofan engines with low-pressure turbine (LPT) 3rd-stage
blade, part number (P/N) 5387343, 5387493, 5387473 or 5387503,
installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of failure of turbine stator
intermediate outer rear air seals (turbine piston seals) leading to
fracture of the LPT 3rd-stage blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the turbine piston seals and fracture of LPT 3rd-
stage blades. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss
of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Perform a borescope inspection (BSI) of the turbine piston
seal shiplap in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, For
Engines Installed On Aircraft, paragraph B of Pratt & Whitney (P&W)
Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-D, Issue No.
004, dated February 14, 2020 (``P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-
930A-D''), or the Accomplishment Instructions, For Engines Not
Installed on Aircraft, paragraph A of P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-
00A-930A-D, as applicable, as follows:
(i) For engines operating on extended operations (ETOPS)
flights, perform the BSI of the turbine piston seal shiplap within
15 days after the effective date of this AD.
(ii) For engines that do not operate on ETOPS flights, perform
the BSI of the turbine piston seal shiplap within 45 days after the
effective date of this AD.
(iii) Before further flight, remove from service any turbine
piston seal found to exceed serviceable limits, as described in the
Accomplishment Instructions, For Engines Installed On Aircraft,
paragraph C.(1) and C.(2), of P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-
D.
(iv) If any turbine piston seal shiplap is found fractured and
missing, before further flight, BSI the LPT 3rd-stage blades, and
remove any LPT 3rd-stage blade found to exceed serviceable limits.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1)(iv): Guidance on determining LPT 3rd-
stage blade serviceable limits can be found in Airbus Aircraft
Maintenance Manual (AMM) TASK 72-53-00-200-801-A.
(2) Thereafter, repeat the BSI required by paragraph (g)(1) of
the turbine piston seal as follows:
(i) For any turbine piston seal found intact (not fractured)
during the last BSI, repeat the BSI within the intervals in Table 2,
of P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-D.
(ii) For any turbine piston seal found fractured during the last
BSI, repeat the BSI every 200 flight cycles from the previous BSI to
ensure proper engagement per the Accomplishment Instructions, For
Engines Installed On Aircraft, paragraph C.(1) of P&W SB PW1000G-C-
72-00-0154-00A-930A-D.
(h) Terminating Action
Removal of the LPT 3rd-stage blades, P/N 5387343, 5387493,
5387473, and 5387503, is a terminating action to the initial and
repetitive BSI requirements of this AD.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the initial BSI of the turbine piston
seal required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if done in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions, For Engines Installed On
Aircraft, paragraph B, of P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-D,
Issue 003, dated February 5, 2020, or earlier versions.
(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) of this AD. You may email your request
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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kevin M. Clark,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(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 Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-
930A-D, Issue No. 004, dated February 14, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this
AD, contact International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East
Hartford, CT 06118, United States; phone: 800-565-0140; email:
[email protected]; website: https://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the 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 that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on March 6, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-05711 Filed 3-19-20; 8:45 am]
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