[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 245 (Monday, December 21, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82899-82901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27985]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0729; Project Identifier AD-2020-00620-E; 
Amendment 39-21355; AD 2020-25-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain CFM International, S.A. (CFM) LEAP-1A23, LEAP-1A24, LEAP-
1A24E1, LEAP-1A26, LEAP-1A26CJ, LEAP-1A26E1, LEAP-1A29, LEAP-1A29CJ, 
LEAP-1A30, LEAP-1A32, LEAP-1A33, LEAP-1A33B2, LEAP-1A35A model turbofan 
engines. This AD was prompted by an investigation by CFM that showed a 
subsurface anomaly in a part manufactured using the same material as 
the LEAP-1A high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2 disk. This AD requires 
an ultrasonic inspection (UI) of the HPT stage 2 disk and replacement 
of any HPT stage 2 disk that fails the UI 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 January 25, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 25, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact CFM International, S.A., Aviation Operations Center, 1 Neumann 
Way, M/D Room 285, Cincinnati, OH 45125; phone: (877) 432-3272; email: 
[email protected]. 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0729.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0729; 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: Christopher McGuire, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7120; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain CFM 
International, S.A. LEAP-1A23, LEAP-1A24, LEAP-1A24E1, LEAP-1A26, LEAP-
1A26CJ, LEAP-1A26E1, LEAP-1A29, LEAP-1A29CJ, LEAP-1A30, LEAP-1A32, 
LEAP-1A33, LEAP-1A33B2, LEAP-1A35A model turbofan engines. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2020 (85 FR 44798). The 
NPRM was prompted by an investigation by CFM that showed a subsurface 
anomaly in a part manufactured using the same material as the LEAP-1A 
HPT stage 2 disk. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an UI of the 
HPT stage 2 disk and replacement of any HPT stage 2 disk that fails the 
UI with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from one commenter, the Air Line Pilots 
Association, International. The commenter supported the NPRM without 
change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
    Related Service Information Under 1 CFR part 51
    The FAA reviewed CFM Service Bulletin LEAP-1A-72-00-0405-01A-930A-
D, Issue 001, dated March 5, 2020. The Service Bulletin specifies 
procedures for performing an UI of the HPT stage 2 disk. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 148 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UI of HPT stage 2 disk................  8 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $680        $100,640
                                         hour = $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these replacements.

[[Page 82900]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT stage 2 disk in case of failed   .25 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $286,000     $286,021.25
 inspection.                                  $21.25.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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:

2020-25-13 CFM International, S.A.: Amendment 39-21355; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0729; Project Identifier AD-2020-00620-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 25, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to CFM International, S.A. (CFM) LEAP-1A23, 
LEAP-1A24, LEAP-1A24E1, LEAP-1A26, LEAP-1A26CJ, LEAP-1A26E1, LEAP-
1A29, LEAP-1A29CJ, LEAP-1A30, LEAP-1A32, LEAP-1A33, LEAP-1A33B2, 
LEAP-1A35A model turbofan engines with a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 
stage 2 disk, part number (P/N) 2466M52G03 or P/N 2788M26G01, and 
with a serial number listed in Table 1 of CFM Service Bulletin (SB) 
LEAP-1A-72-00-0405-01A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated March 5, 2020, 
installed.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an investigation by CFM that discovered 
a subsurface anomaly in a part manufactured from the same material 
used to manufacture the LEAP-1A HPT stage 2 disk. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to prevent failure of the LEAP-1A HPT stage 2 disk. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained 
release of the HPT stage 2 disk, 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 Actions

    (1) At the next piece part exposure after the effective date of 
this AD, perform an ultrasonic inspection of the HPT stage 2 disk in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 5.A.(1), 
of CFM SB LEAP-1A-72-00-0405-01A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated March 5, 
2020.
    (2) Replace any disk that fails the inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD with a part eligible for installation.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a part eligible for installation is 
an HPT stage 2 disk not affected by this AD, or an HPT stage 2 disk 
that has been inspected in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 5.A.(1), of CFM SB LEAP-1A-72-00-0405-01A-
930A-D, Issue 001, dated March 5, 2020, and is not rejected by the 
inspection limits as specified in the service information.

(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 Related Information. 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 Christopher McGuire, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7120; fax: (781) 238-7199; 
email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) CFM Service Bulletin LEAP-1A-72-00-0405-01A-930A-D, Issue 
001, dated March 5, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For CFM service information identified in this AD, contact 
CFM International, S.A., Aviation Operations Center, 1 Neumann Way, 
M/D Room 285, Cincinnati, OH 45125; phone: (877) 432-3272; email: 
[email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For

[[Page 82901]]

information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(781) 238-7759.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on December 4, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-27985 Filed 12-18-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P