[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21768-21770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08462]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5392; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-10-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1 turbofan engines. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an uncontainment caused by 
a high-pressure turbine (HPT) seal release. This proposed AD would 
require removing from service the HPT No. 4 bearing front seal seat, 
part numbers (P/Ns) 2A0066, 2A1998, and 2A3432, and the HPT No. 4 
bearing rear seal seat, P/Ns 2A0067, 2A1999, and 2A3433, and 
replacement with parts eligible for installation. This proposed AD 
would also require inspecting the HPT rotor and stator assembly, and, 
if necessary, their replacement with parts that are eligible for 
installation. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT 
stage 2 seals, uncontained HPT seal release, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 13, 2016.

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 http://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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 
06118; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5392; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Kierstead, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 21769]]

Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-5392; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-10-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    We received a report of an uncontained part release which breached 
an HPT case. This event resulted in an engine fire and exhaust gas 
temperature over-limit readings. Subsequent investigation has shown 
that the preliminary cause was blockage at the No. 4 bearing seal seat 
anti-weep grooves. Blockage of these grooves could allow oil to escape 
the No. 4 compartment and migrate to the HPT. Oil migration to the HPT 
could result in oil ignition and could eventually result in a stage 2 
air-seal fracture. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
failure of the HPT stage 2 seals, uncontained HPT seal release, damage 
to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed IAE Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-
72-0670, dated March 14, 2016. The NMSB identifies affected engines and 
provides guidance for replacing the No. 4 bearing front and rear seal 
seats and for inspecting the HPT rotor and stator assembly. 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.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removing from service the HPT No. 4 
bearing front seal seat, P/Ns 2A0066, 2A1998, and 2A3432, and the HPT 
No. 4 bearing rear seal seat, P/Ns 2A0067, 2A1999, and 2A3433, and 
replacement with parts eligible for installation. This proposed AD 
would also require inspecting the HPT rotor and stator assembly, and, 
if necessary, their replacement with parts that are eligible for 
installation.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 0 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate that it would take about 10 
hours to perform the seal seat replacement. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. We also estimate the cost of No. 4 bearing front and rear 
seal seats to be $13,562. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $0.

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.
    We are 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

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

International Aero Engines AG: Docket No. FAA-2016-5392; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-NE-10-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 13, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1 
turbofan engines with serial numbers listed in Effectivity Data of 
IAE Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-0670, 
dated March 14, 2016.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an uncontainment caused by a 
high-pressure turbine (HPT) seal release. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the HPT stage 2 seals, uncontained HPT seal 
release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

[[Page 21770]]

    (1) Prior to accumulating 500 cycles in service after the 
effective date of this AD,
    (i) Remove from service No. 4 bearing front seal seat part 
numbers (P/Ns) 2A0066, 2A1998, 2A3432; and No. 4 bearing rear seal 
seat, P/Ns 2A0067, 2A1999, 2A3433, and replace with parts eligible 
for installation.
    (ii) Inspect the HPT rotor and stator assembly. Use the 
Accomplishment Instruction, Part C, Section 1.B of IAE NMSB V2500-
ENG-72-0670, dated March 14, 2016 to perform the inspection.
    (2) For any parts that fail the inspection required by paragraph 
(e)(1)(ii) of this AD, before further flight, remove and replace 
with parts eligible for installation.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(g) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Brian Kierstead, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0670, dated March 14, 2016, can be 
obtained from IAE, using the contact information in paragraph (g)(3) 
of this proposed AD.
    (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 8, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08462 Filed 4-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P