[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17956-17958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8861]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-45-AD; Amendment 39-11117; AD 99-08-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG (IAE) 
V2500-A1/-A5/-D5 Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that 
requires revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) and 
Maintenance Scheduling Section (MSS) of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness (ICA) in the Time Limits Manual (Chapter 05-10-00) of the 
Engine Manuals for International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1/-A5/-D5 
series turbofan engines to include required enhanced inspection of 
selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part exposure. This 
AD will also require an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness 
maintenance program to incorporate these inspection procedures. This 
amendment is prompted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) study 
of in-service events involving uncontained failures of critical 
rotating engine parts which indicated the need for improved 
inspections. The improved inspections are needed to identify those 
critical rotating parts with conditions, that if allowed to continue in 
service, could result in uncontained failures. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent critical life-limited

[[Page 17957]]

rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained 
engine failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective May 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The information referenced in this AD may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Cook, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7133, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to IAE V2500-A1/-A5/-D5 series 
turbofan engines was published in the Federal Register on July 28, 1998 
(63 FR 40218). That action proposed to require revisions to the ALS and 
MSS of the ICA in the Time Limits Manual (Chapter 05-10-00) of the 
Engine Manuals for IAE V2500-A1/-A5/-D5 series turbofan engines to 
include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited 
parts at each piece-part exposure and the incorporation of these 
procedures into the air carriers' approved continuous airworthiness 
maintenance program.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter proposes to remove the current publication dates of 
the engine manuals specified in paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3) of the 
compliance section of this AD to avoid AD applicability issues in the 
event of a manual revision prior to the effectivity of the Final Rule 
AD. The FAA concurs. The purpose of paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3) is 
to identify the engine manuals and the specific areas in the manuals 
that will be revised by this AD. The publication dates are not 
necessary to identify these engine manuals since the part number of 
each manual is specified. Therefore, the dates will be deleted from 
these subject paragraphs in the AD. Additionally, page numbers have 
been removed from paragraphs (a) (1), (2), and (3).
    One commenter indicates that there is a typographical error in the 
part number (P/N) of the A1/-A5 Engine Manual. The correct P/N is E-
V2500-1IA not M-V2500-1IA. The FAA concurs. The typographical error 
will be corrected in paragraph (a)(2) of the compliance section of this 
AD.
    Several commenters ask that the FAA clarify the record keeping 
aspects of the mandatory inspections resulting from the required 
changes to the Original Equipment Manufacturer's manual and operator's 
continuous airworthiness maintenance program. One commenter believes 
that paragraph (e) of the proposed rule is unclear and suggests that it 
be revised by eliminating the word ``or'' from the first sentence and 
beginning a second sentence with ``In lieu of the record. * * *'' Two 
commenters state that the AD should be revised to clearly specify which 
types of maintenance records must be retained (i.e., inspection 
results, defect reporting requirements, date of performed maintenance, 
signature of the person performing the maintenance). These commenters 
believe that these revisions are necessary in order to avoid potential 
differences in interpretation between the air carriers and the FAA. 
And, one commenter states that the AD should clarify that there is no 
need for a special form to comply with the AD record keeping 
requirements. The FAA concurs in part. Generally, record keeping 
requirements are addressed in other regulations and this AD does not 
change those requirements. In order to allow flexibility from operator 
to operator, the FAA does not agree that the AD itself specify the 
precise nature of the records that will result from the required 
changes to the manufacturer's manual and operator's maintenance 
program. The FAA has, however, revised Paragraph (e) of this AD to 
clarify record keeping aspects of the new mandatory inspections.
    One commenter supported the rule as proposed.
    No comments were received on the economic analysis contained in the 
proposed rules. Based on that analysis, the FAA has determined that the 
annual per engine cost of $61 does not create a significant economic 
impact on small entities.
    Additional editorial changes:
    The engine manuals' Airworthiness Limitations sections contain a 
paragraph that refers to paragraph 2, ``Maintenance Scheduling,'' which 
meets the intent of this AD. Therefore, the exact wording from the 
manual will be used in this AD. Paragraph (a)(i) of the compliance 
section will read: ``Refer to Paragraph 2--Maintenance Scheduling for 
information that sets forth the operators' maintenance requirements for 
the V2500 On-Condition engine.''
    In addition, for clarity, Paragraph (a)(ii) of the compliance 
section will read: ``Whenever a Group A part identified in this 
paragraph, (see 2.1 for definition of Group A), satisfies both * * * 
conditions.''
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The regulations adopted herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by 
contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

99-08-11  International Aero Engines AG (IAE): Amendment 39-11117. 
Docket 98-ANE-45-AD.

    Applicability: International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1/-A5/
-D5 series turbofan engines, installed on but not limited to Airbus 
A319, A320, A321, and McDonnell Douglas MD-90 series airplanes.


[[Page 17958]]


    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, 
which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to 
the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) and Maintenance 
Scheduling Section (MSS) of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness (ICA) in the Time Limits Manuals of the Engine 
Manuals, part number (P/N) E-V2500-1IA and P/N E-V2500-3IA, and for 
air carrier operations revise the approved continuous airworthiness 
maintenance program, by adding the following:
    (1) For Engine Manual, P/N E-V2500-1IA, Time Limits Manual, 
Chapter 5-10-00, Configuration -1, (Effectivity: V2500-A1); and
    (2) For Engine Manual, P/N E-V2500-1IA, Time Limits Manual, 
Chapter 5-10-00, Configuration -2, (Effectivity: V2500-A5), and;
    (3) For Engine Manual, P/N E-V2500-3IA, Time Limits Manual, 
Chapter 5-10-00, (Effectivity: V2500-D5):
    (i) Add the following to paragraph 1, entitled ``Airworthiness 
Limitations:'' ``Refer to paragraph 2--Maintenance Scheduling for 
information that sets forth the operators maintenance requirements 
for the V2500 On-Condition engine.''
    (ii) Add the following to paragraph 2, entitled ``Maintenance 
Scheduling:'' ``Whenever a Group A part identified in this paragraph 
(see 2.1 for definition of group A) satisfies both of the following 
conditions:
    (A) The part is considered completely disassembled when 
accomplished in accordance with the disassembly instructions in the 
engine manufacturer's engine manual; and
    (B) The part has accumulated more than 100 cycles in service 
since the last piece-part opportunity inspection, provided that the 
part was not damaged or related to the cause for its removal from 
the engine; then that part is considered to be at the piece-part 
level and it is mandatory to perform the inspections for that part 
as specified in the following:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Part nomenclature                           Part No. (P/N)                Inspect per engine manual
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fan Disk.................................  All.....................................  Chapter 72-31-12, Subtask
                                                                                      72-31-12-230-054''
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    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this AD, and 
notwithstanding contrary provisions in Sec. 43.16 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.16), these mandatory inspections 
shall be performed only in accordance with the ALS and MSS in the 
applicable Engine Manual.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) FAA-certificated air carriers that have an approved 
continuous airworthiness maintenance program in accordance with the 
record keeping requirement of Sec. 121.369(c) of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations [14 CFR 121.369 (c)] of this chapter must 
maintain records of the mandatory inspections that result from 
revising the Time Limits section of the Instructions for Continuous 
Airworthiness (ICA) and the air carrier's continuous airworthiness 
program. Alternately, certificated air carriers may establish an 
approved system of record retention that provides a method for 
preservation and retrieval of the maintenance records that include 
the inspections resulting from this AD, and include the policy and 
procedures for implementing this alternate method in the air 
carrier's maintenance manual required by Sec. 121.369(c) of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations [14 CFR 121.369(c)]; however, the 
alternate system must be accepted by the appropriate PMI and require 
the maintenance records be maintained either indefinitely or until 
the work is repeated. Records of the piece-part inspections are not 
required under Sec. 121.380(a)(2)(vi) of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations [14 CFR 121.380(a)(2)(vi)]. All other Operators must 
maintain the records of mandatory inspections required by the 
applicable regulations governing their operations.

    Note 3: The requirements of this AD have been met when the 
engine manual changes are made and air carriers have modified their 
continuous airworthiness maintenance plans to reflect the 
requirements in the engine manuals.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 13, 1999.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 2, 1999.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-8861 Filed 4-12-99; 8:45 am]
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