[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
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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,
(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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