[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 71 (Monday, April 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20402-20404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07627]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0314; Project Identifier AD-2020-00369-E; 
Amendment 39-21110; AD 2020-07-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG (IAE) 
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 
certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-
D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 
model turbofan engines. This emergency AD was sent previously to all 
known U.S. owners and operators of these engines. This AD requires 
removal of affected high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disks from 
service. This AD was prompted by investigative findings from an event 
involving an uncontained failure of a HPT 1st-stage disk that resulted 
in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 28, 2020 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2020-
07-51, issued on March 21, 2020, which contained the requirements of 
this amendment.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by May 28, 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: Deliver to Mail address above 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0314; 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 Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas J. Paine, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7116; fax: 781-238-7199; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On March 21, 2020, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2020-07-51, which 
requires removal from service of affected HPT 1st-stage disks installed 
on IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, 
V2528-D5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 model turbofan engines. This emergency 
AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
engines. This action was prompted by investigative findings from an 
event that occurred on March 18, 2020, in which an Airbus Model A321-
231 airplane, powered by IAE V2533-A5 model turbofan engines, 
experienced an uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure that resulted in 
an aborted takeoff. This condition, if not addressed, could result in 
uncontained HPT failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to the 
engine, damage to the airplane, and loss of the airplane.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because the Agency 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 removal from service of affected HPT 1st-stage 
disks installed on IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-
A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 model turbofan engines.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD interim action. The root cause of this 
event is still under investigation.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5

[[Page 20403]]

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 required the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2020-07-51, issued on March 21, 2020, to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these engines. The FAA has found that the risk 
to the flying public justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to 
adoption of this rule. On March 18, 2020, an Airbus Model A321-231 
airplane, powered by IAE V2533-A5 model turbofan engines, experienced 
an uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure that resulted in an aborted 
takeoff. The uncontained failure of the HPT 1st-stage disk resulted in 
high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. This unsafe 
condition, caused by an uncontained HPT 1st-stage disk failure, may 
result in loss of the airplane.
    The FAA considers removal of the affected HPT 1st-stage disks to be 
an urgent safety issue. Removal of the affected HPT 1st-stage disks 
must be accomplished within 5 cycles after the effective date of this 
AD. These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby published in the 
Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all 
persons. 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-
0314 and Product Identifier AD-2020-00369-E at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invite 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 Nicholas J. Paine, 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 2 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove 1st-stage HPT disk.............  226 work-hours x $85 per        $335,690        $354,900        $709,800
                                         hour = $19,210.
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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 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.

[[Page 20404]]

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):

2020-07-51 International Aero Engines AG (IAE): Amendment 39-21110; 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0314; Project Identifier AD-2020-00369-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 28, 2020 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2020-07-51, issued on March 21, 2020, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all International Aero Engines AG (IAE) 
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-
D5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 model turbofan engines with a high-
pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk, part number (P/N) 2A5001 and 
serial number PKLBR37442, PKLBR38359, PKLBR73862, PKLBR73289, 
PKLBR73270, PKLBR38981, PKLBR38661, PKLBR40207, PKLBR37445, 
PKLBR73861, PKLBR73268, PKLBR38629, PKLBSC8047, or PKLBR38979, 
installed.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by investigative findings from an event 
involving an uncontained failure of a HPT 1st-stage disk that 
resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained HPT 
failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to the engine, damage 
to the airplane, and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For affected IAE model turbofan engines with an engine 
serial number and HPT 1st-stage disk serial number listed in Table 1 
to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, within 5 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, remove the HPT 1st-stage disk from 
service. 
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13AP20.000

    (2) For all other affected IAE model turbofan engines, review 
the engine records within 3 calendar days after the effective date 
of this AD to determine if an HPT 1st-stage disk with serial number 
PKLBR37442, PKLBR38661, or PKLBR40207 is installed in the engine. If 
an affected HPT 1st-stage disk is installed, within 5 flight cycles 
after this determination, remove the affected HPT 1st-stage disk 
from service.

(h) 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 (i) 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.

(i) Related Information

    For further information about this AD, contact Nicholas J. 
Paine, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7116; fax: 781-238-7199; Email: 
[email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on April 7, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07627 Filed 4-10-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P