Rule2023-12287
Airworthiness Directives; Engine Alliance Engines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 9, 2023
Effective
June 26, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Engine Alliance (EA) Model GP7270, GP7272, and GP7277 engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) interstage seals were manufactured from material suspected to contain iron inclusion. This AD requires replacement of the affected HPT interstage seals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 111 (Friday, June 9, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 111 (Friday, June 9, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37760-37762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12287]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1205; Project Identifier AD-2023-00441-E;
Amendment 39-22452; AD 2023-11-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Engine Alliance 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 Engine Alliance (EA) Model GP7270, GP7272, and GP7277 engines.
This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that
certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) interstage seals were manufactured
from material suspected to contain iron inclusion. This AD requires
replacement of the affected HPT interstage seals. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 26, 2023.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 24, 2023.
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="http://regulations.gov">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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-1205; 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 Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(781) 238-7178; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a5b565f425f53144e14575b484b4f5f5f547a5c5b5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c8a9a4adb0ada1e6bce6a5a9bab9bdadada688aea9a9e6afa7be">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA was notified by the manufacturer of the detection of iron
inclusion in a turbine disk manufactured from the same material used to
manufacture certain HPT interstage seals for EA Model GP7270, GP7272,
and GP7277 engines. Further investigation by the manufacturer
determined that the iron inclusion is attributed to deficiencies in the
manufacturing process. The investigation by the manufacturer also
determined that certain GP7270, GP7272, and GP7277 HPT interstage seals
made from billets manufactured using the same process may have reduced
material properties and a lower fatigue life capability due to iron
inclusion, which may cause premature fracture and subsequent
uncontained failure. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
uncontained debris release, 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires replacement of certain HPT interstage seals with a
part eligible for installation.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. This unsafe
condition is still under investigation by the manufacturer and,
depending on the results of that investigation, the FAA may consider
further rulemaking action.
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.
[[Page 37761]]
The FAA 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(s), 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 ``FAA-2023-1205 and Project Identifier AD-2023-
00441-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="http://regulations.gov">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 Alexei
Marqueen, 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.
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
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace HPT interstage seal.............. 8 work-hours x $85 per hour $273,694 (pro-rated)............................ $274,374 $0
= $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:
(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:
2023-11-06 Engine Alliance: Amendment 39-22452; Docket No. FAA-2023-
1205; Project Identifier AD-2023-00441-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 26, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Engine Alliance Model GP7270, GP7272, and
GP7277 engines with an installed high-pressure turbine (HPT)
interstage seal having part number (P/N) 2047M99P02 and serial
number (S/N) BTB71863 or BTB86871.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that
revealed that certain HPT interstage seals were manufactured from
material suspected to contain iron inclusion. The FAA is issuing
this AD to prevent fracture and subsequent uncontained failure
[[Page 37762]]
of certain HPT interstage seals. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in uncontained debris release, 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
At the next piece-part exposure of the affected HPT interstage
seal or before the affected HPT interstage seal exceeds 4,200 cycles
since new, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this
AD, remove the affected HPT interstage seal from service and replace
with a part eligible for installation.
(h) Definition
(1) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is any HPT interstage seal that does not have a P/N
and S/N identified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' is when
the affected part is removed from the engine and completely
disassembled.
(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 branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and
email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d7969992fa9693fa969a989497b1b6b6f9b0b8a1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9fded1dab2dedbb2ded2d0dcdff9fefeb1f8f0e9">[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 Alexei Marqueen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7178; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#07666b627f626e2973296a667576726262694761666629606871"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d1b0bdb4a9b4b8ffa5ffbcb0a3a0a4b4b4bf91b7b0b0ffb6bea7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on June 2, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-12287 Filed 6-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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