[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 55 (Friday, March 20, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15943-15945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05711]



[[Page 15943]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0184; Project Identifier AD-2020-00187-E; 
Amendment 39-21104; AD 2020-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC 
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 all 
International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-
JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, 
PW1130G-JM, and PW1129G-JM model turbofan engines with a certain low-
pressure turbine (LPT) 3rd-stage blade installed. This AD requires 
initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSI) of the turbine 
stator intermediate outer rear air seal (turbine piston seal) and, 
depending on the results of the inspection, replacement with a part 
eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by reports of failure 
of turbine piston seals leading to fracture of the LPT 3rd-stage 
blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 6, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 6, 
2020.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by May 4, 2020.

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 https://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 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 
06118, United States; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; 
website: https://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0184.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0184; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for the Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of 57 instances of fractures occurring 
on LPT 3rd-stage blades during operation since 2017.
    In response to the LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures that occurred from 
2017 until November 2019, and in response to on-going investigations of 
these fractures, the FAA proposed an AD, Product Identifier 2019-NE-31-
AD (84 FR 64441, November 22, 2019), to replace the LPT 3rd-stage 
blades with more impact-resistant LPT blades. The FAA also issued AD 
2019-25-01 (84 FR 65666, November 29, 2019) to accelerate replacement 
of certain LPT 3rd-stage blades on the affected engines. Since November 
2019, 12 additional LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures have occurred.
    The FAA investigation determined that 28 of the 57 LPT 3rd-stage 
blade fractures resulted from wear and fracture of the turbine piston 
seal releasing debris that impacted the LPT 3rd-stage blades. The FAA 
is therefore issuing this AD to prevent failure of the turbine piston 
seals and fracture of the LPT 3rd-stage blades.
    This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or 
more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney (P&W) Service Bulletin (SB) 
PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 004, dated February 14, 
2020. The service information describes procedures for performing 
initial and repetitive BSIs of the LPT 3rd-stage turbine pistol seal. 
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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) TASK 72-
53-00-200-801-A. The AMM describes procedures for BSI of the LPT 
assembly.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because it 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires initial and repetitive BSI of the turbine piston 
seal and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement with 
a part eligible for installation.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without seeking comment prior to the 
rulemaking. Similarly, Section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to 
make rules effective in less than 30 days, upon a finding of good 
cause.
    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. 
The affected IAE model turbofan

[[Page 15944]]

engines, with a certain LPT 3rd-stage blade installed, have experienced 
57 LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures during operation since 2017, with 12 
LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures occurring between December 2019 and 
February 2020. Twenty-eight of the 57 LPT 3rd-stage blade fractures 
resulted from wear and fracture of the turbine piston seal releasing 
debris that impacted the LPT 3rd-stage blades. The turbine piston seal 
must be inspected within 15 days on engines operating on extended 
operations (ETOPS) flights and within 45 days on engines that do not 
operate on ETOPS flights. This unsafe condition may result in loss of 
the airplane.
    The FAA considers the inspection of the turbine piston seals to be 
an urgent safety issue. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are impracticable and contrary to public interest 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the reasons stated 
above, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) 
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 was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views, 
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2020-
0184 and Project Identifier AD-2020-00187-E at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final 
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact received about this AD.

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
this AD contain commercial or financial information that is customarily 
treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is 
relevant or responsive to this AD, it is important that you clearly 
designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your 
submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked 
submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed 
in the public docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be 
sent to Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Any commentary that the FAA 
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in 
the public docket for this rulemaking.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 40 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSI turbine piston seal...............  2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170          $6,800
                                         hour = $170.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of engines 
that might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                 Action                           Labor cost                  Parts cost              product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace turbine piston seal.............  30 work-hours x $85 per     $30,000...................         $32,550
                                           hour = $2,550.
Replace set of LPT 3rd-stage blades.....  408 work-hours x $85 per    $750,000 per blade set....         784,680
                                           hour = $34,680.
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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.
    The FAA is 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

    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

[[Page 15945]]

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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):

2020-06-02 International Aero Engines LLC: Amendment 39-21104; 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0184; Project Identifier AD-2020-00187-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 6, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) 
PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G1-JM, 
PW1127G-JM, PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, PW1130G-JM, and PW1129G-JM 
model turbofan engines with low-pressure turbine (LPT) 3rd-stage 
blade, part number (P/N) 5387343, 5387493, 5387473 or 5387503, 
installed.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of failure of turbine stator 
intermediate outer rear air seals (turbine piston seals) leading to 
fracture of the LPT 3rd-stage blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the turbine piston seals and fracture of LPT 3rd-
stage blades. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Perform a borescope inspection (BSI) of the turbine piston 
seal shiplap in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, For 
Engines Installed On Aircraft, paragraph B of Pratt & Whitney (P&W) 
Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 
004, dated February 14, 2020 (``P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-
930A-D''), or the Accomplishment Instructions, For Engines Not 
Installed on Aircraft, paragraph A of P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-
00A-930A-D, as applicable, as follows:
    (i) For engines operating on extended operations (ETOPS) 
flights, perform the BSI of the turbine piston seal shiplap within 
15 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) For engines that do not operate on ETOPS flights, perform 
the BSI of the turbine piston seal shiplap within 45 days after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (iii) Before further flight, remove from service any turbine 
piston seal found to exceed serviceable limits, as described in the 
Accomplishment Instructions, For Engines Installed On Aircraft, 
paragraph C.(1) and C.(2), of P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-
D.
    (iv) If any turbine piston seal shiplap is found fractured and 
missing, before further flight, BSI the LPT 3rd-stage blades, and 
remove any LPT 3rd-stage blade found to exceed serviceable limits.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1)(iv): Guidance on determining LPT 3rd-
stage blade serviceable limits can be found in Airbus Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) TASK 72-53-00-200-801-A.

    (2) Thereafter, repeat the BSI required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
the turbine piston seal as follows:
    (i) For any turbine piston seal found intact (not fractured) 
during the last BSI, repeat the BSI within the intervals in Table 2, 
of P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-D.
    (ii) For any turbine piston seal found fractured during the last 
BSI, repeat the BSI every 200 flight cycles from the previous BSI to 
ensure proper engagement per the Accomplishment Instructions, For 
Engines Installed On Aircraft, paragraph C.(1) of P&W SB PW1000G-C-
72-00-0154-00A-930A-D.

(h) Terminating Action

    Removal of the LPT 3rd-stage blades, P/N 5387343, 5387493, 
5387473, and 5387503, is a terminating action to the initial and 
repetitive BSI requirements of this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the initial BSI of the turbine piston 
seal required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if done in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, For Engines Installed On 
Aircraft, paragraph B, of P&W SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-930A-D, 
Issue 003, dated February 5, 2020, or earlier versions.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO 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 manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. You may email your request 
to: [email protected].
    (2) 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kevin M. Clark, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(l) 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) Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0154-00A-
930A-D, Issue No. 004, dated February 14, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this 
AD, contact International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT 06118, United States; phone: 800-565-0140; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on March 6, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-05711 Filed 3-19-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P