[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6791-6793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03185]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 32 / Thursday, February 15, 2018 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 6791]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0109; Product Identifier 2018-NM-022-AD; Amendment 
39-19196; AD 2018-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A320-271N, A321-271N, and A321-272N airplanes. This AD 
requires de-pairing certain International Aero Engines (IAE) engines in 
order to continue to operate affected airplanes and discontinuing 
extended operations (ETOPS) for airplanes with at least one affected 
engine. This AD was prompted by reports of two engine in-flight 
shutdowns (IFSDs) and two rejected takeoffs. We are issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 15, 2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by April 2, 2018.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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-2018-
0109; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 425-227-1405; fax: 425- 
227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2018-0041-E, dated February 9, 2018 
(referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for 
Airbus Model A320-271N, A321-271N, and A321-272N airplanes, with 
certain IAE engines. The MCAI states:

    Several occurrences of engine in-flight shut-down (IFSD) and 
Rejected Take-Off (RTO) have been reported on certain Airbus A320neo 
family aeroplanes. While investigation is ongoing to determine the 
root cause, preliminary findings indicate that the affected engines, 
which have high pressure compressor aft hub modification embodied 
from ESN P770450, are more susceptible to IFSD.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to dual engine 
IFSD.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, Airbus issued 
Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A71N014-18, providing 
instructions to de-pair the affected engines and discontinue 
Extended range Two-engine aeroplanes Operations (ETOPS) for aircraft 
fitted with affected engines.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
implementation of operational restrictions.
    This [EASA] AD is considered to be an interim action and further 
AD action may follow.

    The unsafe condition is a high-pressure compressor (HPC) rear hub 
knife edge seal fracture, which could lead to a sudden increase in high 
rotor vibration and stall in certain IAE PW1100G-JM engines, and 
consequent IFSDs and rejected takeoffs. You may examine the MCAI on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0109.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. We are 
issuing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because of an unacceptable rate of IFSDs and rejected takeoffs on 
affected airplanes. Therefore, we determined that notice and 
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
impracticable. In addition, for the reasons stated above we find that 
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 
days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0109;

[[Page 6792]]

Product Identifier 2018-NM-022-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD based on 
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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We recognize that this AD may impose certain operational costs. 
However, we cannot calculate those costs because we do not know how 
often the conditions occur. Continued operational safety makes these 
costs necessary because of the severity of the unsafe condition.
    If an operator chooses to replace an affected engine, we estimate 
it would take 8 work-hours, at $85 per hour, or $680 per product.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 this AD:
    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; 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):

2018-04-01 Airbus: Amendment 39-19196; Docket No. FAA-2018-0109; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-022-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 15, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A320-271N, A321-271N, and A321-
272N airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer 
serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 72, Engine.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of two engine in-flight 
shutdowns (IFSDs) and two rejected takeoffs. We are issuing this AD 
to address a high-pressure compressor (HPC) rear hub knife edge seal 
fracture, which could lead to a sudden increase in high rotor 
vibration and stall in certain PW1100G-JM engines, and consequent 
IFSDs or rejected takeoffs.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Affected Engines

    For the purpose of this AD, affected engines are International 
Aero Engines Model PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, 
and PW1133GA-JM engines, having engine serial numbers P770450 and 
subsequent.

(h) Operational Restrictions

    (1) No later than 3 flight cycles after the effective date of 
this AD, do not operate an airplane having two affected engines 
installed.
    (2) For an airplane having at least one affected engine 
installed: No later than 1 flight cycle after the effective date of 
this AD, extended operations (ETOPS) are not allowed.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to [email protected]. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval 
(DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-
authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA emergency Airworthiness Directive 2018-0041-E, dated 
February 9, 2018, for related information. You may examine the MCAI 
on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by

[[Page 6793]]

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0109.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 
425-227-1405; fax: 425-227-1149.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-03185 Filed 2-14-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P