[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43209-43211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15391]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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. 87, No. 138 / Wednesday, July 20, 2022 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 43209]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0877; Project Identifier AD-2022-00506-E;
Amendment 39-22123; AD 2022-15-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. 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 CFM International, S.A. (CFM) LEAP-1A model turbofan engines.
This AD was prompted by reports of non-synchronous vibrations resulting
in more open clearances and potential hot gas ingestion into the high-
pressure turbine (HPT) rotor cavity, which may result in thermal
degradation of the HPT rotor interstage seal and HPT rotor stage 2
disk. This AD requires inspection of the stage 2 HPT nozzle assembly
honeycomb and HPT stator stationary seal honeycomb. Depending on the
results of the inspection, this AD requires replacement of the stage 2
HPT nozzle assembly honeycomb, HPT stator stationary seal, HPT rotor
interstage seal, and HPT rotor stage 2 disk. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 4, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 4,
2022.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by September 6, 2022.
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.
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]">aviation.[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 (817) 222-5110. It is
also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0877.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0877; 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 the
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mehdi Lamnyi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238-7743; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On January 26, 2020, an Airbus Model A319NEO airplane, powered by
CFM LEAP-1A model turbofan engines, experienced high vibrations. A
subsequent engine disassembly by the manufacturer revealed three areas
of missing material on the HPT rotor interstage seal and multiple
radial and circumferential cracks on the forward arm. The
manufacturer's investigation determined that the degraded HPT rotor
interstage seal failure locations were initiated by creep rupture,
related to hot gas ingestion due to reduced effectiveness of the stage
2 HPT nozzle honeycomb seals, a condition that could impact the HPT
rotor stage 2 disk low-cycle fatigue life. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in an uncontained release of the HPT rotor
interstage seal and HPT rotor stage 2 disk, damage to the engine, and
damage to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in
other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed CFM Service Bulletin (SB) LEAP-1A-72-00-0460-01A-
930A-D, Issue 002-00, dated June 10, 2022. This service information
specifies procedures for inspecting the stage 2 HPT nozzle assembly
honeycomb and HPT stator stationary seal honeycomb. This service
information also specifies procedures for replacing the stage 2 HPT
nozzle assembly honeycomb, HPT stator stationary seal, HPT rotor
interstage seal, and HPT rotor 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires inspection of the stage 2 HPT nozzle assembly
honeycomb and HPT stator stationary seal honeycomb. Depending on the
results of the inspection, this AD requires replacement of the stage 2
HPT nozzle assembly honeycomb, HPT stator stationary seal, HPT rotor
interstage seal, and HPT rotor stage 2 disk.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) 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
[[Page 43210]]
interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may
issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking comment prior
to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to
make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good
cause.
The FAA has found the risk to the flying public justifies waiving
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because no domestic
operators use this product. It is unlikely that the FAA will receive
any adverse comments or useful information about this AD from any U.S.
operator. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment
are unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for
the foregoing reason, 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
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0877 and Project Identifier
AD-2022-00506-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. 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 agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.
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 Mehdi
Lamnyi, Aviation Safety 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 prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 0 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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Inspect stage 2 HPT nozzle assembly 3 work-hours x $85 per $0 $255 $0
honeycomb. hour = $255.
Inspect HPT stator stationary seal 3 work-hours x $85 per 0 255 0
honeycomb. hour = $255.
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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:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT rotor interstage seal............. 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $168,000 $168,680
$680.
Replace HPT rotor stage 2 disk................ 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = 324,400 325,080
$680.
Replace stage 2 HPT nozzle assembly honeycomb. 24 work-hours x $85 per hour = 951,840 953,880
$2,040.
Replace HPT stator stationary seal............ 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = 98,000 98,680
$680.
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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:
[[Page 43211]]
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
2022-15-04 CFM International, S.A.: Amendment 39-22123; Docket No.
FAA-2022-0877; Project Identifier AD-2022-00506-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 4, 2022.
(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 engine serial number (ESN)
598-280, 598-283, 598-284, 598-291, 598-300, 598-302, 598-327, 598-
572, 598-629, 598-646, 598-648, 598-659, 598-667, 598-812, 598-862,
598-909, and 599-192.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of non-synchronous vibrations
resulting in more open clearances and potential hot gas ingestion
into the high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor cavity, which may result
in thermal degradation of the HPT rotor interstage seal and HPT
rotor stage 2 disk. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent creep
rupture and low-cycle fatigue of the HPT rotor interstage seal and
HPT rotor stage 2 disk. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in an uncontained release of the HPT rotor interstage
seal and HPT rotor 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) Before reaching the lowest applicable inspection threshold
in Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 5.A.(1), Table 1 or Table
2 of CFM Service Bulletin LEAP-1A-72-00-0460-01A-930A-D, Issue 002-
00, dated June 10, 2022 (the SB), as applicable to each ESN and
engine rating, or within 100 cycles after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later, perform an inspection of the stage 2 HPT
nozzle assembly honeycomb in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 5.B.(3)(a) of the SB.
(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, the stage 2 HPT nozzle assembly honeycomb fails to meet the
criteria in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 5.B.(3)(a)1
to 5.B.(3)(a)4 of the SB, perform the following:
(i) Before further flight, remove and replace the stage 2 HPT
nozzle assembly honeycomb in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 5.B.(3)(c)1 of the SB.
(ii) For engines with an installed HPT rotor interstage seal,
identified by serial number in Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraph 5.A.(1), Table 1 of the SB, before further flight, remove
the HPT rotor interstage seal and replace with a part eligible for
installation.
(iii) For engines with ESN 598-646 and ESN 598-812, before
further flight, remove the HPT rotor stage 2 disk and replace with a
part eligible for installation.
(iv) For Group 1 engines, or an engine that has previously
operated as a Group 1 engine, before further flight, remove the HPT
rotor stage 2 disk and replace with a part eligible for
installation.
(3) Before reaching the lowest applicable inspection threshold
in Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 5.A.(1), Table 1 or Table
2 of the SB, as applicable to each ESN and engine rating, or within
100 cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, perform an inspection of the HPT stator stationary seal
honeycomb in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraph 5.B.(4)(a) of the SB.
(4) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(3) of
this AD, the HPT stator stationary seal honeycomb fails to meet the
criteria in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 5.B.(4)(a)1
to 5.B.(4)(a)3 of the SB, before further flight, replace the HPT
stator stationary seal in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 5.B.(4)(c)1, of the SB.
(h) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, Group 1 engines are affected LEAP-
1A30, LEAP-1A32, LEAP-1A33, LEAP-1A33B2, and LEAP-1A35A model
turbofan engines.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
The reporting requirements in the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraphs 5.B.(3)(a)5 and 5.B.(4)(a)4, of the SB, are not required
by this AD.
(j) 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 (k) of this AD and email 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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Mehdi Lamnyi,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7743; email:
[email protected].
(l) 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-72-00-0460-01A-930A-D, Issue
002-00, dated June 10, 2022.
(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 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 (817) 222-5110.
(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 July 8, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15391 Filed 7-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P