[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 74 (Thursday, April 16, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21073-21075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08002]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 74 / Thursday, April 16, 2020 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 21073]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0906; Project Identifier 2019-NE-31-AD; Amendment 
39-21111; AD 2020-08-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines LLC, 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, 
PW1130G-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1124G-
JM, PW1124G1-JM, and PW1122G-JM model turbofan engines. This AD was 
prompted by reports of failures of certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) 
3rd-stage blades. This AD requires replacement of the affected LPT 3rd-
stage blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT, 06118; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; 
internet: 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.

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-2019-
0906; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations is 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: 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 issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain International 
Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1129G-
JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, and 
PW1122G-JM model turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on November 22, 2019 (84 FR 64441). The NPRM was prompted by 
reports of failures of certain LPT 3rd-stage blades. The NPRM proposed 
to require replacement of the affected LPT 3rd-stage blades. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    The FAA 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 Clarify AD Applicability

    An Air Macau commenter asked how the affected engine serial numbers 
(ESNs) were selected. The commenter also asked what the criteria was 
for compliance times of 90, 180, 270, and 360 days. The commenter asked 
how airlines could have confidence in an ESN that is very close to an 
ESN affected by this AD, but not incorporated into this AD.
    The FAA interprets this comment as being applicable to a different 
published AD; AD 2019-25-01 (84 FR 65666, November 29, 2019). AD 2019-
25-01 references IAE engines by ESN while this AD does not. The FAA 
will fully address this comment in our comment disposition to AD 2019-
25-01, which will be posted in Docket No. FAA-2019-0995. In addition, 
to clarify that the applicability of this AD does not overlap the 
applicability of AD 2019-25-01, the FAA added a note to the 
applicability section of this AD to clarify the exclusion of engines 
affected by AD 2019-25-01.

Request To Revise Compliance

    An individual commenter requested that the FAA, to control the risk 
effectively, incorporate the following requirements in the AD: (1) At a 
specific calendar time, and next shop visit, whichever occurs first, 
complete the replacement of affected LPT 3rd-stage blades; and (2) 
Perform inspection on specific areas of the LPT 3rd-stage blades at 
specific time, and repeat the inspection in a specific interval. If any 
defects are found that exceed the limitation, then replace the LPT 3rd-
stage blades before the next flight.
    The FAA disagrees. The FAA has not revised this AD because we have 
mandated actions for operators that have experienced a greater number 
of LPT 3rd-stage blades failures in AD 2019-25-01. The FAA has not 
incorporated the use of calendar time for performance of the required 
actions on the entire fleet or for general inspections of the LPT 3rd-
stage blades because, based on the current failure rate for the entire 
fleet, this action is not required to maintain safety in accordance 
with FAA's risk assessment policies. Also, incorporating a general 
inspection of the LPT 3rd-stage blades without targeting a specific 
root cause will not improve safety and may generate more mistakes and 
unnecessary damage to the LPT 3rd-stage blades.

Request To Clarify Compliance Time

    An individual commenter noted that all the PW1100G-JM series 
engines with LPT 3rd-stage blades are made from the same material 
alloy. The commenter requested that the FAA provide the technical 
analysis to clarify why the other engines affected by this AD have a 
different compliance time than those affected by FAA AD 2019-25-01.

[[Page 21074]]

    The FAA agrees that affected IAE engines will have the same 
material alloy unless the engine has either incorporated the new LPT 
3rd-stage blades as identified in Pratt & Whitney (PW) Service Bulletin 
(SB) PW1000G-C-72-00-0111-00A-930A-D or the engine was produced since 
March 2019. IAE engines affected by AD 2019-25-01 are operated by 
operators who have experienced the majority of these LPT 3rd-stage 
blade failures. This demonstrates that the operation of the affected 
IAE engines can have an effect on the frequency of the LPT 3rd-stage 
blade failures. However, the entire airplane fleet will still have a 
risk of engine failure until the new blade design is incorporated into 
the engine. The required action to remove the affected LPT 3rd-stage 
blades from service at the next engine shop visit will address the 
unsafe condition for the remaining engines affected by this AD.

Request for Clarification of Definition

    All Nippon Airways (ANA) commented that the definition of engine 
shop visit in this AD does not include a definition of ``major mating 
engine flange.'' On the other hand, PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0111-00A-
930A-D, (``the PW SB'') indicates that flanges ``E through P'' are 
considered ``major mating engine flanges.'' ANA would like to confirm 
this AD applies when the engine is inducted into the shop for 
maintenance and only major mating engine flanges B or C are separated.
    The definition of ``engine shop visit'' in this AD is accurate. The 
term ``major mating engine flanges,'' as used in this AD, is consistent 
with the PW SB. The term ``major mating engine flanges'' are flanges E 
through P. If only mating engine flanges B or C are separated, then 
this is not considered an engine shop visit, per the definition 
provided in this AD.

Support for the AD

    The Air Line Pilots Association, an individual commenter, and 
anonymous commenters supported the NPRM as written.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0111-00A-930A-
D, Issue No. 002, dated October 18, 2019. The service information 
describes procedures for removal of the affected LPT 3rd-stage blades 
and their replacement with parts eligible for installation.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 65 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace set of LPC 3rd-stage        0 work-hours x $85    $750,000 per blade          $750,000      $48,750,000
 blades.                             per hour = $0.        set.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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):

2020-08-04 International Aero Engines LLC: Amendment 39-21111; 
Docket No. FAA-2019-0906; Project Identifier 2019-NE-31-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 21, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

    Note to paragraph (c): This AD does not apply to IAE PW1133G-JM, 
PW1133GA-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, 
PW1127G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, and PW1122G-JM model turbofan 
engines with engine serial numbers

[[Page 21075]]

listed in paragraph (g) of AD 2019-25-01 (84 FR 65666, November 29, 
2019).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of failure of certain LPT 3rd-
stage blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of these 
LPT 3rd-stage blades. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in uncontained release of the LPT 3rd-stage blades, 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

    At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this 
AD, remove from service any LPT 3rd-stage blade, P/N 5387343, 
5387493, 5387473, or 5387503, and replace with a part eligible for 
installation.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that the 
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 
transportation of the engine without subsequent engine maintenance 
does not constitute an engine shop visit.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' is any LPT 3rd-stage blade that does not have a P/N 
5387343, 5387493, 5387473, or 5387503.

(i) 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 (j) 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.

(j) 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].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on April 10, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08002 Filed 4-15-20; 8:45 am]
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