[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 192 (Thursday, October 5, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69099-69102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22174]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1989; Project Identifier AD-2023-00512-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) Model PW1124G1-JM, 
PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, and 
PW1133GA-JM engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that 
certain high-pressure compressor (HPC) 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th 
stage rotors have potentially degraded knife-edge seals and abrasive 
coating of the rear wing 4th stage rotor due to having been cleaned in 
alkaline solution without masking the knife-edge seal coating. 
Operating in this condition could result in material degradation and 
fracture of the HPC 2nd stage rotor and HPC 4th stage rotor. This 
proposed AD would require replacement of certain HPC 2nd stage rotors 
and HPC 4th stage rotors. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 
20, 2023.

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 regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.

[[Page 69100]]

     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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-1989; 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 NPRM, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this 
NPRM, contact International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (860) 565-0140; email: [email protected]; 
website: connect.prattwhitney.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 (817) 222-5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Taylor, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-
7229; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1989; Project Identifier 
AD-2023-00512-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 proposal 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 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Mark 
Taylor, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des 
Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA was notified that on certain IAE Model PW1124G1-JM, 
PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, and 
PW1133GA-JM engines, a batch of HPC 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th stage 
rotors could have degraded knife-edge seals and abrasive coating on the 
rear wing 4th stage rotor due to having been cleaned in alkaline 
solution without masking the knife-edge seal coating. Operating in this 
condition could result in material degradation and fracture of the HPC 
2nd stage rotor and HPC 4th stage rotor. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in uncontained part release or dual-engine 
shutdown, damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, and loss of the 
airplane.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-C-
72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated September 13, 2022. This 
service information identifies the affected HPC 2nd stage rotors and 
HPC 4th stage rotors and specifies procedures for inspection and repair 
of the HPC 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors. 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.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected HPC 2nd 
stage rotor and HPC 4th stage rotor with parts eligible for 
installation.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 6 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA 
estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
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Replace HPC 2nd stage rotor and HPC   73 work-hours x $85 per              $0           $6,205          $37,230
 4th stage rotor with repaired parts.  hour = $6,205.
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    Operators may choose to use new parts instead of repaired parts to 
comply with this proposed AD. For replacement with new parts, the FAA 
estimates the following costs:

[[Page 69101]]



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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPC 2nd stage rotor...................  32 work-hours x $85 per hour =          $312,000        $314,720
                                                 $2,720.
Replace HPC 4th stage rotor...................  32 work-hours x $85 per hour =           244,000         246,720
                                                 $2,720.
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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

    The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:

International Aero Engines, LLC: Docket No. FAA-2023-1989; Project 
Identifier AD-2023-00512-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by November 20, 2023.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines, LLC Model 
PW1124G1-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, 
PW1133G-JM, and PW1133GA-JM engines having a high-pressure 
compressor (HPC) 2nd stage rotor or HPC 4th stage rotor having a 
part number and serial number identified in the Applicability, Table 
2, of Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-
00A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated September 13, 2022 (Pratt & Whitney SB 
PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D).

 (d) Subject

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

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that certain HPC 2nd stage 
rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors have potentially degraded knife-edge 
seals and abrasive coating of the rear wing 4th stage rotor due to 
having been cleaned in alkaline solution without masking the knife-
edge seal coating. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent material 
degradation and fracture of the HPC 2nd stage rotor and HPC 4th 
stage rotor. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
uncontained part release or dual-engine shutdown, damage to engine, 
damage to airplane, and loss of the airplane.

 (f) Compliance

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

 (g) Required Actions

    (1) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, remove the HPC 2nd stage rotor having a part number and 
serial number identified in the Applicability, Table 2, of Pratt & 
Whitney SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D and replace with a part 
eligible for installation.
    (2) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, remove the HPC 4th stage rotor having a part number and 
serial number identified in the Applicability, Table 2, of Pratt & 
Whitney SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D and replace with a part 
eligible for installation.

 (h) Definitions

    (1) For the purposes of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' is:
    (i) Any HPC 2nd stage rotor or HPC 4th stage rotor, as 
applicable, that does not have a part number and serial number 
identified in the Applicability, Table 2, of Pratt & Whitney SB 
PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D; or
    (ii) Any HPC 2nd stage rotor or HPC 4th stage rotor, as 
applicable, that has incorporated Pratt & Whitney SB PW1000G-C-72-
00-0208-00A-930A-D.
    (2) For the purposes of this AD, an engine shop visit is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of the ``H'' flange.

 (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued 
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) 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.

 (j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Mark Taylor, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7229; 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.

[[Page 69102]]

    (i) Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-
930A-D, Issue 001, dated September 13, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this 
AD, contact International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (860) 565-0140; email: [email protected]; 
website: connect.prattwhitney.com.
    (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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 29, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22174 Filed 10-4-23; 8:45 am]
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