Rule2022-00414
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
January 12, 2022
Effective
January 27, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PW1500G and PW1900G model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an analysis of an event involving an International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2533-A5 model turbofan engine, which experienced an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. This AD requires removing certain HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage disks from service and replacing with parts eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1664-1666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00414]
[[Page 1664]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1182; Project Identifier AD-2021-01393-E;
Amendment 39-21902; AD 2022-02-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney 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 Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PW1500G and PW1900G model turbofan
engines. This AD was prompted by an analysis of an event involving an
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2533-A5 model turbofan engine,
which experienced an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine
(HPT) 1st-stage disk that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating
the engine cowling. This AD requires removing certain HPT 1st-stage and
HPT 2nd-stage disks from service and replacing with parts eligible for
installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 27, 2022.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by February 28, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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
Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (800)
565-0140; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e363b322e6c6a1e2e2c3f2a2a2936372a303b27703d3133"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bf3fef7eba9afdbebe9faefefecf3f2eff5fee2b5f8f4f6">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="https://fleetcare.prattwhitney.com">https://fleetcare.prattwhitney.com</a>. 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1182; 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: Mark Taylor, Aviation Safety Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
(781) 238-7229; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a476b7861245e6b736665784a6c6b6b246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="410c20332a6f1520382d2e33012720206f262e37">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 18, 2020, an Airbus Model A321-231 airplane, powered by
IAE V2533-A5 model turbofan engines, experienced an uncontained HPT
1st-stage disk failure that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating
the engine cowling. Based on a preliminary analysis of this event, on
March 21, 2020, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2020-07-51 (followed by
publication in the Federal Register on April 13, 2020, as a Final Rule,
Request for Comments (85 FR 20402)), which requires the removal from
service of certain HPT 1st-stage disks installed on IAE V2522-A5,
V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5,
and V2533-A5 model turbofan engines.
Since the FAA issued AD 2020-07-51, P&W determined that the failure
of the IAE V2533-A5 model turbofan engine was due to an undetected
subsurface material defect in an HPT disk that may affect the life of
the part. In June 2021, P&W expanded its root cause analysis to include
a review of records for all other IAE and P&W engines that contain
parts of similar material.
P&W's analysis identified a different population of HPT 1st-stage
and HPT 2nd-stage disks installed on P&W PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521G-3,
PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-3 (PW1500G) model
turbofan engines, and P&W PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and
PW1923G-A (PW1900G) model turbofan engines that are subject to the same
unsafe condition identified in AD 2020-07-51 and require removal from
service. This condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained
HPT disk failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to the engine,
damage to the airplane, and loss of 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
The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney Special Instruction (SI) No. 225F-
21, dated December 1, 2021. This SI describes procedures for removing
and replacing the affected HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage disks,
identified by part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N), installed on
PW1500G model turbofan engines.
The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney SI No. 226F-21, dated December 1,
2021. This SI describes procedures for removing and replacing the
affected HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage disks, identified by P/N and
S/N, installed on PW1900G model turbofan engines.
AD Requirements
This AD requires the removal from service of certain HPT 1st-stage
and HPT 2nd-stage disks installed on PW1500G and PW1900G model turbofan
engines.
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 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.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies foregoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule.
On March 18, 2020, an Airbus Model A321-231 airplane, powered by IAE
V2533-A5 model turbofan engines, experienced an uncontained HPT 1st-
stage disk failure that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the
engine cowling. Based on a preliminary
[[Page 1665]]
analysis of this event, on March 21, 2020, the FAA issued Emergency AD
2020-07-51 (followed by publication in the Federal Register on April
13, 2020, as a Final Rule, Request for Comments (85 FR 20402)), which
requires the removal from service of certain HPT 1st-stage disks
installed on IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5,
V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 model turbofan engines.
Since the FAA issued AD 2020-07-51, the manufacturer conducted a root
cause analysis and identified a different population of HPT 1st-stage
and HPT 2nd-stage disks installed on P&W PW1500G and PW1900G model
turbofan engines that are subject to the same unsafe condition
identified in AD 2020-07-51. The FAA considers removal of the affected
HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage disks to be an urgent safety issue.
These HPT disks have the highest risk of failure and removal is
required within 30 days after the effective date of this AD to prevent
additional HPT disk failures and maintain an acceptable level of
safety. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
uncontained HPT disk failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to
the engine, damage to the airplane, and loss of the airplane.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(3)(B).
In addition, 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,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and
comment.
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-2021-1182 and Project Identifier
AD-2021-01393-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
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, 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 Mark
Taylor, 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 8 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this 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 HPT 1st-stage or HPT 2nd-stage 316 work-hours x $85 per $121,516 $148,376 $1,187,008
disk. hour = $26,860.
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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:
(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.
[[Page 1666]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2022-02-05 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-21902; Docket No. FAA-2021-
1182; Project Identifier AD-2021-01393-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 27, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PW1519G, PW1521G,
PW1521G-3, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, PW1525G-3,
PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A model turbofan
engines with an installed:
(1) High-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk, part number (P/
N) 30G5701, with serial number (S/N) LKLBCY9473, LKLBDG4865,
LKLBDG4877, LKLBDG5064, LKLBDG4951, LKLBEH5482, LKLBCY9462,
LKLBDG5142, LKLBFL9238, or LKLBF88737; or
(2) HPT 2nd-stage disk, P/N 30G5002, with S/N LKLBCT8724,
LKLBDA4633, LKLBDA4689, LKLBD40801, LKLBEL3603, LKLBD40863,
LKLBCT8771, LKLBDA4691, LKLBEL3600, LKLBD40830, or LKLBD40845.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an analysis performed by P&W of an event
involving an uncontained failure of an HPT 1st-stage disk that
resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of HPT 1st-stage and HPT
2nd-stage disks. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in uncontained HPT disk failure, release of high-energy
debris, damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, and 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 an installed HPT 1st-stage disk,
P/N 30G5701, having an S/N listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD,
within 30 days after the effective date of the AD, remove the HPT
1st-stage disk from service and replace with a part eligible for
installation.
(2) For affected engines with an installed HPT 2nd-stage disk,
P/N 30G5002, having an S/N listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD,
within 30 days after the effective date of the AD, remove the HPT
2nd-stage disk from service and replace with a part eligible for
installation.
(h) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for installation''
is an HPT 1st-stage disk or HPT 2nd-stage disk that is not
identified in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this AD.
(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. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#89c8c7cca4c8cda4c8c4c6cac9efe8e8a7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5e4ebe088e4e188e4e8eae6e5c3c4c48bc2cad3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7229; fax: (781) 238-7199;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#753814071e5b21140c191a07351314145b121a03"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="531e3221387d07322a3f3c21133532327d343c25">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on January 6, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00414 Filed 1-7-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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