[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 58 (Monday, March 25, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20551-20553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06216]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 58 / Monday, March 25, 2024 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 20551]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0763; Project Identifier AD-2023-00924-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1122G-JM, 
PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127G1A-JM, PW1127G1B-JM, 
PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, and 
PW1133GA-JM engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an in-flight 
shutdown (IFSD) caused by the fracture of a low-pressure compressor 
(LPC) 1st-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-1). This proposed AD would 
require removal and replacement of affected LPC key washers and 
affected LPC IBR-1 and installation of inlet guide vane (IGV) spacers. 
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 May 9, 
2024.

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.
     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 under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0763; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(781) 238-7655; 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-2024-0763; Project Identifier 
AD-2023-00924-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 Carol 
Nguyen, 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

    On July 8, 2022, an Airbus Model A320neo airplane powered by IAE 
LLC Model PW1127G-JM engines experienced an IFSD. A manufacturer 
investigation determined that the IFSD was caused by a fractured LPC 
IBR-1 which resulted from an aerodynamic excitation. The most likely 
cause of the aerodynamic excitation was a misaligned IGV located 
directly upstream of the IBR-1. As a result, Pratt & Whitney (PW) 
redesigned the LPC IGV arm assembly by adding a spacer to provide 
additional torque capability and to prevent a misaligned vane. PW also 
redesigned the IBR-1 to better withstand an aerodynamic excitation from 
a misaligned IGV. As a result, the FAA is proposing to require the 
removal and replacement of certain affected LPC key washers and 
affected LPC IBR-1, and installation of LPC IGV spacers. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in damage to the engine, 
damage to the airplane, and possible 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.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require removal and replacement of affected 
LPC key washers and affected LPC IBR-1 and installation of LPC IGV 
spacers.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 215 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.

[[Page 20552]]

    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace LPC IBR-1.....................  1 work-hours x $85 per           $36,350         $36,435      $7,833,525
                                         hour = $85.
Replace IGV key washers and install     20 work-hours x $85 per            4,392           6,092       1,309,780
 IGV spacers.                            hour = $1,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-2024-0763; Project 
Identifier AD-2023-00924-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 9, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines Model PW1122G-JM, 
PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127G1A-JM, PW1127G1B-JM, 
PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, and 
PW1133GA-JM engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown caused by the 
fracture of a low-pressure compressor (LPC) 1st-stage integrally 
bladed rotor (IBR-1). The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the 
failure of the LPC IBR-1. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, and 
possible loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For affected engines with installed LPC key washers having 
part number (P/N) 5375416, at the next engine shop visit after the 
effective date of this AD, remove the affected LPC key washers and 
replace them with LPC key washers and LPC inlet guide vane (IGV) 
spacers that are eligible for installation.
    (2) For affected engines with an installed LPC IBR-1 having P/N 
5373831, at the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of 
this AD, remove the affected LPC IBR-1 and replace with an LPC IBR-1 
eligible for installation.

(h) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD:
    (1) 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.
    (2) A ``piece-part exposure'' is when the LPC IBR-1 is separated 
from the LPC module.
    (3) ``LPC key washers eligible for installation'' are any LPC 
key washers having P/N 5375434 or later-approved P/N.
    (4) ``LPC IGV spacers eligible for installation'' are any LPC 
IGV spacers having P/N 5375433 or later-approved P/N.
    (5) An ``LPC IBR-1 eligible for installation'' is any LPC IBR-1 
having P/N 5373841 or later-approved P/N.

(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 AIR-520 Continued Operational 
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (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) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Carol Nguyen, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7655; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.


[[Page 20553]]


    Issued on March 19, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-06216 Filed 3-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P