[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 80 (Friday, April 24, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22956-22957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08703]



[[Page 22956]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0832; Project Identifier 2019-NE-28-AD; Amendment 
39-21117; AD 2020-09-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG 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 all 
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1, V2522-A5, V2524-A5, 
V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, V2531-E5, 
and V2533-A5 model turbofan engines with a certain diffuser case 
assembly installed. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing 
quality escape that could impact the life of the diffuser case 
assembly. This AD requires removal of the affected diffuser case 
assembly from service and replacement with a part eligible for 
installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 29, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact International Aero Engines AG, 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, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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-2019-0832.

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-
0832; 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 
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: Nicholas 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

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all IAE V2500-A1, 
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, 
V2530-A5, V2531-E5, and V2533-A5 model turbofan engines with a certain 
diffuser case assembly installed. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on December 16, 2019 (84 FR 68374). The NPRM was prompted by a 
report of a manufacturing quality escape that could impact the life of 
the diffuser case assembly. The NPRM proposed to require removal of the 
affected diffuser case assembly from service and replacement with a 
part eligible for installation. 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 Revise the Required Actions

    Delta Air Lines (DAL) requested that the FAA revise paragraph (g), 
Required Actions, of this AD to include instructions applicable to IAE 
V2500-D5 model turbofan engines. DAL reasoned that IAE Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-0707, dated July 1, 2019 (``IAE 
NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0707''), referenced in paragraph (g) of this AD, only 
includes procedures for replacing the affected diffuser case assemblies 
on IAE V2500-A1/A5 model turbofan engines. If one of the affected 
diffuser case assemblies was installed on a V2500-D5 model engine, DAL 
would not be able to accomplish the required actions of this AD.
    As an alternative to revising paragraph (g) of this AD, DAL 
requested that the FAA add an installation prohibition or parts 
installation limitation to this AD to prevent the installation of the 
affected diffuser case assembly in any model turbofan engine. If the 
FAA adds the installation prohibition to this AD, then DAL requested 
that the FAA remove the IAE V2500-D5 model turbofan engine from 
paragraph (c), Applicability, of this AD.
    The FAA disagrees. This AD does not require operators to use IAE 
NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0707 to replace the affected diffuser case assembly. 
The note to paragraph (g) of this AD, referencing use of IAE NMSB 
V2500-ENG-72-0707, is provided as guidance.
    The FAA disagrees with adding an installation prohibition or parts 
installation limitation to this AD because paragraph (g) of this AD 
requires the removal of all affected diffuser case assemblies from 
service.

Support for the AD

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International, expressed support 
for the AD as written.

No Concerns With the AD

    United Airlines commented that it does not operate any of the 
affected diffuser case assemblies and indicated it does not have any 
concerns with the proposed AD.

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 IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0707, dated July 1, 2019. 
The NMSB describes procedures for replacing the affected diffuser case 
assemblies on IAE V2500-A5 model turbofan engines.

Costs of Compliance

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

[[Page 22957]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the diffuser case assembly..  70 work-hours x $85 per        $250,000         $255,950         $511,900
                                       hour = $5,950.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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):

2020-09-03 International Aero Engines AG: Amendment 39-21117; Docket 
No. FAA-2019-0832; Project Identifier 2019-NE-28-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 29, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1, 
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-
D5, V2530-A5, V2531-E5, and V2533-A5 model turbofan engines with 
diffuser case assembly, serial number PGGUBB8267, PGGUBB8271, 
PGGUA95825, PGGUA95827, or PGGUBB8264, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing quality 
escape that could impact the life of the diffuser case assembly. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the diffuser case 
assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
the uncontained release of the diffuser case assembly, damage to the 
engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Action

    At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of the AD 
or before accumulating 10,000 cycles since new, whichever occurs 
first, remove the affected diffuser case assembly from service and 
replace with a part eligible for installation.
    Note to paragraph (g): IAE Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
(NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-0707, dated July 1, 2019, contains guidance for 
replacing the diffuser case assembly.

(h) Definition

    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 without subsequent engine maintenance does not 
constitute an engine shop visit.

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

(k) Material Incorporate by Reference

    None.

    Issued on April 20, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08703 Filed 4-23-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P