[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
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor Cost Parts Cost product operators
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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]
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