[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 25, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37774-37776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-45-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG V2500-A1, 
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, 
V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to 
supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to 
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1, V2522-A5, V2524-A5, 
V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, and 
V2533-A5 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires revisions to the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) and Maintenance Scheduling 
Section (MSS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), 
located in the Time Limits Manual (Chapter 05-10-00) of the Engine 
Manuals, to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical 
life-limited parts at each piece-part exposure. This action would add 
critical life-limited parts for enhanced inspection. This action is 
prompted by additional focused inspection procedures that have been 
developed by the manufacturer. The actions specified by this proposed 
AD are intended to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part 
failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage 
to the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 25, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-45-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30

[[Page 37775]]

p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also 
be sent via the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain the 
docket number in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7152; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-ANE-45-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-45-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    On June 6, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-12-05, Amendment 39-11783 
(65 FR 36783, June 12, 2000), to require 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 of International Aero 
Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1, V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, 
V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 turbofan engines 
to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-
limited parts at each piece-part exposure.

New Inspection Procedures

    Since AD 2000-12-05 was issued, IAE has developed additional 
focused inspection procedures. This proposal would add the high 
pressure compressor (HPC) stage 3-8 drum, HPC stage 9-12 drum, HPC rear 
shaft, HPC stage rear rotating seal, and stages 3 through 7 low 
pressure turbine (LPT) disks that would require enhanced inspection at 
each piece-part exposure.

Proposed Requirements of This AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design that are 
used on IAE V2500-A1, V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-
A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 turbofan engines 
registered in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 
2000-12-05 to add critical life-limited parts for enhanced inspection 
at each piece-part opportunity.

Economic Analysis

    The FAA estimates that 734 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 24 work hours per engine to perform the proposed enhanced 
inspection for high pressure compressor (HPC) stage 3-8 drums, HPC 
stage 9-12 drum, HPC rear shaft, HPC rear rotating seal, and stages 3 
through 7 low pressure turbine (LPT) disks. The average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. The total cost of the added inspections per engine 
would be approximately $1,440. Using average shop visitation rates, the 
annual cost of the added inspections on U.S. operators is approximately 
$1,056,960.

Regulatory Analysis

    This proposed rule does not have federalism implications, as 
defined in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. 
Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to 
publication of this proposed rule.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 removing Amendment 39-11783 (65 FR 
36783, June 12, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive:

International Aero Engines AG: Docket No. 98-ANE-45-AD. Supersedes 
AD 2000-12-05, Amendment 39-11783.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1, V2522-A5, V2524-A5, 
V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, and 
V2533-A5 turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series, and 
McDonnell Douglas MD-90 airplanes.

    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

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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: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, 
unless already done.
    To prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, 
which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to 
the airplane, do the following:

Inspections

    (a) Within the next 90 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) located in the Time Limits Manual (Chapter 05-
10-00) 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
    (1) Adding the following to paragraph 1, entitled 
``Airworthiness Limitations:'' ``Refer to paragraph 2--Maintenace 
Scheduling for information that sets forth the operator's 
maintenance requirements for the V2500 On-Condition engine.''
    (2) Adding the following paragraph 2, entitled ``Maintenance 
Scheduling:'' ``Whenever a Group A part identified in this paragraph 
(see 4.0 for definition of Group A) satisfies both of the following 
conditions:
    The part is considered completely disassembled when accomplished 
in accordance with the disassembly instructions in the engine 
manufacturer's engine manual; and
    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:

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             Part nomenclature                        Part number (P/N)                              Inspect per engine manual chapter
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Fan Disk..................................  All..................................  Chapter 72-31-12, Subtask 72-31-12-230-054
Stage 1 HP Turbine Hub....................  All..................................  Chapter 72-45-11, Task 72-45-11-200-002
Stage 2 HP Turbine Hub....................  All..................................  Chapter 72-45-31, Task 72-45-31-200-004
High Pressure Compressor (HPC) Stage 3-8    All..................................  Chapter 72-41-11, Task 72-41-11-200-001
 Drum.
HPC Stage 9-12 Drum.......................  All..................................  Chapter 72-41-12, Task 72-41-12-200-001
HPC Rear Shaft............................  All..................................  Chapter 72-41-13, Task 72-41-13-200-001
HPC Stage Rear Rotating Seal..............  All..................................  Chapter 72-41-14, Task 72-41-14-200-001
Stages 3 through 7 Low Pressure Turbine     All..................................  Chapter 72-50-31, Task 72-50-31-200-006 ''
 (LPT) Disks.
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    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this AD, and 
notwithstanding contrary provisions in section 43.16 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.16), these mandatory inspections 
must be performed only in accordance with the ALS and MSS of the ICA 
in the Time Limits Manual (Chapter 05-10-00) of the Engine Manuals, 
P/N E-V2500-1IA and P/N E-V2500-3IA.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 (ECO). 
Operators must submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, ECO.

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

Special Flight Permits

    (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 done.

Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program

    (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 ALS and MSS of the ICA in the Time Limits Manual 
(Chapter 05-10-00) of the Engine Manuals, P/N E-V2500-1IA and P/N E-
V2500-3IA, and the air carrier's continuous airworthiness program. 
Alternatively, 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.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 18, 2003.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15994 Filed 6-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P