[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 135 (Monday, July 17, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32626-32629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14706]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0021; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-01-AD; 
Amendment 39-18951; AD 2017-14-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, 
V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, V2533-A5, V2525-D5, V2528-D5, and 
V2531-E5 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted following a self-
disclosure by IAE regarding manufacturing quality escapes. This AD 
requires replacing the affected and suspect parts within the time 
limits specified in the compliance section. We are issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 21, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 21, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, 
CT 06118; phone: 860-565-0140; 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. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0021.

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-2017-
0021; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office 
(phone: 800-647-5527) is

[[Page 32627]]

Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain IAE V2522-A5, 
V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, V2533-A5, V2525-D5, 
V2528-D5, and V2531-E5 turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on March 14, 2017 (82 FR 13570). The NPRM was prompted 
following a self-disclosure by IAE regarding manufacturing quality 
escapes. The NPRM proposed to require replacing the affected and 
suspect parts within the time limits specified in the compliance 
section. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of high-energy, 
rotating hardware, uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Change Service Information

    MTU and United Airlines (UAL) requested that we revise the service 
information citations in the Applicability and Compliance paragraphs of 
this AD to reference the ``latest approved revision'' or ``latest 
issue'' of the service bulletin (SB). Citing future issues/revisions 
would avoid Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) requests if the SBs 
are updated.
    We disagree. We are only authorized to mandate use of SBs that we 
have reviewed and which are published. Since future revisions of SBs 
are not yet published, we are not authorized to mandate their use. We 
did not change this AD.

Request To Change Compliance Time

    MTU and UAL requested that we revise the removal interval 
referenced in Compliance paragraph (g)(2) of this AD from ``when the 
high-pressure turbine (HPT) module is disassembled and access to the 
part is available''. UAL feels that the proposed compliance period may 
not prevent part failure and requests the compliance be revised to 
``anytime the HPT module is removed from the engine''. MTU believes 
that the word ``access'' is unclear and requests alignment with the IAE 
NewsFlash NF-048, which recommends replacing at ``next piece part 
exposure.''
    We disagree. Changing compliance to ``next piece part exposure'' 
would allow parts to remain in service longer, resulting in an 
unacceptable level of risk. We also disagree with mandating removal of 
the hardware upon separation of the HPT module from the engine because 
this would require an earlier compliance than is required. Neither MTU 
nor UAL submitted data to support a change to the compliance period. We 
did not change this AD.

Request To Change Part Eligibility

    UAL requests that the AD elaborate that a part eligible for 
installation includes ``any approved original equipment manufacturer 
(OEM) part number, be it new, or previously operated, provided that it 
is not affected by this AD.'' UAL states that the referenced SB(s) 
require the owner/operator to ``install a new part of a specific part 
number.''
    We disagree. The installation of specific hardware is not mandated 
by this AD. Any part eligible for installation, new or previously 
installed, may be installed in place of the affected part. We did not 
change this AD.

Request To Change Disposition of Affected Hardware

    UAL requests that this AD not include the sections of the SBs that 
refer to how the affected hardware is dispositioned upon removal. 
United highlights concerns with the reporting requirements listed in 
the SB and does not want this AD to incorporate by reference (IBR) 
those sections of the SB(s).
    We agree. The disposition of this hardware is not mandated by this 
AD. We did not change this AD.

Request To Change Applicability

    MTU requested that we remove the V2531-E5 from the Summary and 
Applicability sections of this AD. MTU stated that the V2531-E5 is not 
listed as an affected engine in the associated SBs.
    We disagree. We have determined that the IAE V2531-E5 turbofan 
engine might have an affected part installed. The IAE V2531-E5 turbofan 
engine is included in the Applicability paragraph of this AD to ensure 
those engines comply with this AD in the event that an affected part is 
installed on a V2531-E5 engine. We did not change this AD.

Request To Change Costs of Compliance

    MTU requested that we align the ``Cost per product'' and ``Cost on 
U.S. operators'' with the latest SB information. MTU cites that the 
``Cost per product'' and ``Cost on U.S. operators'' as listed in the AD 
are lower than the numbers given in the associated SBs.
    We disagree. The cost estimate listed in the AD is pro-rated based 
on the part cycles accrued and the cycles at which the affected 
hardware will be removed from service, versus the certified life. The 
SB only lists new part cost. We did not change this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule as proposed. We have determined that these minor 
changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    IAE Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-0676, 
dated October 14, 2016; IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0677, Revision 1, dated 
January 11, 2017; IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0682, dated December 2, 2016; 
IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0681, Revision 2, dated January 9, 2017; and IAE 
NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0678, Revision 1, dated January 5, 2017. Each of the 
NMSBs describes procedures for replacing a different affected part. 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 70 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 32628]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Cost per       Cost on  U.S.
                    Action                       Labor cost      Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removal of HPT stage 2 air seal (cycle                     $0     $154,119.00     $154,119.00        $308,238.00
 limited)....................................
Removal of HPT 1st stage air seal (cycle                    0       87,503.00       87,503.00         175,006.00
 limited)....................................
Removal of HPT stage 2 ring plate (cycle                    0       56,207.00       56,207.00         112,414.00
 limited)....................................
Removal of HPT stage 2 ring plate (upon                     0       31,403.00       31,403.00       2,041,195.00
 access).....................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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, and 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 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,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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):

2017-14-07 International Aero Engines AG: Amendment 39-18951; Docket 
No. FAA-2017-0021; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-01-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 21, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to International Aero Engines AG (IAE) 
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, V2533-
A5, V2525-D5, V2528-D5, and V2531-E5 turbofan engines, with one or 
more of the following installed:
    (i) High-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2 air seal, part number 
(P/N) 2A4157, with a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 1 of IAE 
Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-0676, dated 
October 14, 2016.
    (ii) HPT 1st stage air seal, P/N 2A3423, with an S/N listed in 
Table 1 of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0677, Revision 1, dated January 11, 
2017; or IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0678, Revision 1, dated January 5, 
2017.
    (iii) HPT stage 2 ring plate, P/N 2A3437, with an S/N listed in 
Table 1 of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0682, dated December 2, 2016; or 
IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0681, Revision 2, dated January 9, 2017.
    (2) Reserved.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Engine.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by several reports by IAE of quality 
escapes during manufacture of HPT stage 2 air seals, HPT 1st stage 
air seals, and/or HPT stage 2 ring plates, at the Pratt and Whitney 
Chengdu facility. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of high-
energy, rotating hardware, uncontained part release, damage to the 
engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Remove the following hardware from service before reaching 
the specified part cycles since new listed in the service 
instructions in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, or 
within 50 cycles in service after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, and replace with a part eligible for 
installation:
    (i) HPT stage 2 air seal, P/N 2A4157, identified in Table 1 of 
IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0676, dated October 14, 2016.
    (ii) HPT 1st stage air seal, P/N 2A3423, identified in Table 1 
of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0677, Revision 1, dated January 11, 2017.
    (iii) HPT stage 2 ring plate, P/N 2A3437, identified in Table 1 
of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0682, dated December 2, 2016.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, remove the following 
hardware from service when the HPT module is disassembled and access 
to the part is available and replace with a part eligible for 
installation:
    (i) HPT 1st stage air seal, P/N 2A3423, identified in 
Accomplishment Instructions, Table 1, of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0678, 
Revision 1, dated January 5, 2017.
    (ii) HPT stage 2 ring plate, P/N 2A3437, identified in 
Accomplishment Instructions, Table 1, of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0681, 
Revision 2, dated January 9, 2017.

(h) 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].

(i) Related Information

    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].

[[Page 32629]]

(j) 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) International Aero Engines (IAE) Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-0676, dated October 14, 2016.
    (ii) IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0677, Revision 1, dated January 11, 
2017.
    (iii) IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0678, Revision 1, dated January 5, 
2017.
    (iv) IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0681, Revision 2, dated January 9, 
2017.
    (v) IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0682, dated December 2, 2016.
    (3) For International Aero Engines service information 
identified in this AD, contact International Aero Engines AG, 400 
Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 860-565-0140; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.
    (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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 3, 2017.
Kevin Dickert,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14706 Filed 7-14-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P