[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 108 (Thursday, June 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33621-33623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14133]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-21-AD; Amendment 39-13183; AD 2003-11-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG (IAE) 
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, and V2530-A5 
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 
certain IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, and 
V2530-A5 turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive 
inspections of the master magnetic chip detector (MCD) or the No. 1, 2, 
3 bearing chamber MCD. This AD is prompted by reports of No. 3 bearing 
failures that resulted in in-flight engine shutdowns (IFSDs) and 
significant smoke in the cockpit and cabin. The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the No. 3 bearing, which 
could result in IFSDs and smoke in the cockpit and cabin.

DATES: Effective June 20, 2003.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by August 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
    [sbull] By mail: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2003-NE-21-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
    [sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected].
    You may get the service information referenced in this AD from 
International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 
06108; telephone: (860) 565-5515; fax: (860) 565-5510.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glorianne Niebuhr, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7132; fax (781) 238-7199.

[[Page 33622]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This AD applies to IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, 
V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, and V2530-A5 turbofan engines with a 
serial number (SN) from V10600 through V11250 inclusive. This AD 
requires initial and repetitive inspections of the master MCD or the 
No. 1, 2, 3 bearing chamber MCD for contamination, and if the 
contamination is bearing material, replacement of the engine before 
further flight.
    This AD is prompted by 19 failures of the No. 3 bearing attributed 
to ball spalling and race fracture. Of the 19 failures, seven resulted 
in IFSDs and 12 resulted in unscheduled engine removals (UERs). Of the 
seven IFSDs, two were associated with smoke in the cockpit and cabin. 
The smoke is a result of the failure of the No. 3 bearing. Ball 
spalling and race fracture of the No. 3 bearing occurs when there is 
hard particle contamination in the oil system. The contamination is 
caused by the release of coating particles on HPC stubshafts with low-
energy plasma coating. The problem exists on the FAG bearings, part 
number 2A1165, which are less tolerant to damage from this 
contamination. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the No. 3 bearing, which could result in IFSDs and smoke in 
the cockpit and cabin.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-
A5, and V2530-A5 turbofan engines with a SN from V10600 through V11250 
inclusive of the same type design. Therefore, we are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the No. 3 bearing, which could result in IFSDs and 
smoke in the cockpit and cabin. This AD requires:

    [sbull] Initial inspection of the master MCD or the No. 1, 2, 3 
bearing chamber MCD within 125 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD,
    [sbull] Repetitive inspections of the master MCD or the No. 1, 2, 3 
bearing chamber MCD within 125 hours time-since-last inspection.

Interim Action

    These actions are interim actions and we may take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs our AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to special flight permits, alternative 
methods of compliance, and altered products. This material previously 
was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 
14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

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, we invite you to submit any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-21-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule 
that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts us through 
a nonwritten communication, and that contact relates to a substantive 
part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in 
the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend the AD in light of those comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications with you. You may get more information about plain 
language at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that 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 responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
    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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-21-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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

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:

2003-11-23 International Aero Engines AG: Amendment 39-13183. Docket 
No. 2003-NE-21-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 20, 
2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    Applicability: (c) This AD is applicable to International Aero 
Engines AG (IAE) V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, 
and V2530-A5 turbofan engines with a serial number (SN) from V10600 
through V11250 inclusive. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Airbus Industries A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of No. 3 bearing failures that 
resulted in in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs) and smoke in the cockpit and 
cabin. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure 
of the No. 3 bearing, which could result in IFSDs and smoke in the 
cockpit and cabin.

[[Page 33623]]

Compliance

    (e) Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless 
already done.

Inspection of the Master Magnetic Chip Detector (MCD) or the No. 1, 2, 
3 Bearing Chamber MCD

    (f) For engines that have a No. 3 bearing, part number 2A1165, 
installed, do the following:
    (1) Within 125 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date 
of this AD, inspect the master MCD or the No. 1, 2, 3 bearing chamber 
MCD.
    (2) Thereafter, within 125 hours time-since-last inspection, 
inspect the master MCD or the No. 1, 2, 3 bearing chamber MCD.
    (3) If you find bearing material on the master MCD or No. 1, 2, 3 
bearing chamber MCD, replace the engine before further flight.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) Alternative methods of compliance must be requested in 
accordance with 14 CFR part 39.19, and must be approved by the Manager, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) None.

Related Information

    (i) You can find information on inspecting the master MCD and the 
No. 1, 2, 3 bearing chamber MCD in section 79-00-00-601 of the Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-14133 Filed 6-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P