Rule2024-15466
Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC
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
July 16, 2024
Effective
August 20, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting 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 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 AD requires removal and replacement of affected LPC key washers and affected LPC IBR-1 and installation of inlet guide vane (IGV) spacers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57725-57728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15466]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0763; Project Identifier AD-2023-00924-E;
Amendment 39-22785; AD 2024-14-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting 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 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 AD requires removal and replacement of
affected LPC key washers and affected LPC IBR-1 and installation of
inlet guide vane (IGV) spacers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 20, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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 final rule, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(781) 238-7655; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#147775667b783a7a73616d717a547275753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6a090b18050644040d1f130f042a0c0b0b440d051c">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on March 25, 2024 (89 FR 20551). The NPRM was prompted by an incident
involving an Airbus Model A320neo airplane powered by IAE LLC Model
PW1127G-JM engines that 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. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removal and
replacement of affected LPC key washers and affected LPC IBR-1 and
installation of LPC IGV spacers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from four commenters. The commenters were
the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), All Nippon
Airways CO., LTD. (ANA), Delta Air Lines, Inc (DAL), and Frontier
Airlines (Frontier). ALPA supported the NPRM without change. The
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Update Paragraph (g)(1)
Frontier requested that the FAA update paragraph (g)(1) of the
proposed AD to read as follows: ``For engines that are pre-PW Service
Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-C-72-00-0180-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated
October 10, 2020 (PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0180-00A-
[[Page 57726]]
930A-D) with installed LPC key washers having 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
IGV spacers that are eligible for installation.'' Frontier noted that
tracking installed washers on engines is very difficult since they are
not tracked parts, and post service bulletin engines have LPC key
washers and LPT IGV spacers that are eligible for installation.
The FAA agrees to update paragraph (g)(1) of this AD to include
reference to engines that have not incorporated PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-
0180-00A-930A-D.
Request To Update Paragraph (g)(2)
Frontier requested that the FAA update paragraph (g)(2) of the
proposed AD to read as follows: ``For engines that are pre-service
bulletin SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0189-00A-930A-D, with an installed LPC IBR-
1 having PN 5373831, at the next piece-part exposure after effective
date of this AD, remove the affected LPC IBR-1 and replace with an LPC
IBR-1 eligible for installation.''
The FAA disagrees with the request because the LPC IBR-1 is a
tracked life-limited part, so adding qualifying language for ``pre-PW
SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0189-00A-930A-D'' engines is unnecessary. The FAA
did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Add ``Credit for Previous Actions'' Paragraph
DAL requested that the FAA add a ``Credit for Previous Actions''
paragraph to the proposed AD to allow credit for the actions required
by paragraph (g)(1) if PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0180-00A-930A-D was
previously accomplished. ANA also requested that accomplishment of PW
SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0180-00A-930A-D be accepted as credit for paragraph
(g)(1) of the proposed AD, and accomplishment of PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-
0189-00A-930A, Issue 001, dated January 26, 2022, PW SB PW1000G-C-72-
00-0189-00A-930A, Issue 002, dated March 15, 2022, and PW SB PW1000G-C-
72-00-0189-00A-930A, Issue 003, dated November 28, 2022, be accepted as
credit for paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD if these actions were
performed before the effective date of the proposed AD. DAL noted that
because the proposed AD does not provide credit for installing the
post-SB spacers and washers, operators must physically verify that all
61 spacers are present and all 61 washers are post-SB on all engines,
regardless of whether or not the engine records show accomplishment of
PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0180-00A-930A-D. DAL also noted that this is a
very manual, time-intensive task that should be avoided considering PW
SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0180-00A-930A-D installs key washers P/N 5375416 and
LPC spacers P/N 5375433, and those parts comply with the ``part
eligible for installation'' definitions listed in paragraphs (h)(3) and
(h)(4) of the proposed AD.
The FAA disagrees with the request to add a ``Credit for Previous
Actions'' paragraph to this AD. This AD references affected engines
with specific P/Ns installed in paragraph (g) of this AD, and if the
service bulletins related to this AD have already been performed on the
engine, then the affected P/Ns are no longer installed and the AD is no
longer applicable to those engines. Therefore, previous credit is not
necessary because the engine no longer has an affected P/N installed.
The FAA notes that paragraph (g)(1) of this AD has been changed to
reference PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0180-00A-930A-D and to reduce the
burden on operators. The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this
comment.
Request To Clarify Meaning of ``At the Next Piece-Part Exposure''
ANA requested that the FAA clarify the meaning of ``at the next
piece-part exposure'' in paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD. ANA asks
if LPC IBR-1 is already separated from the LPC module and assembly has
already begun by the effective date of this AD, should the requirement
of paragraph (g)(2) not be performed in this shop visit? ANA also
wondered about the same scenario if the assembly had not begun by the
effective date of this AD.
To clarify, the FAA's meaning of ``at the next piece-part
exposure'' covers both cases. Paragraph (h)(2) of this AD defines a
``piece-part exposure'' as when the LPC IBR-1 is separated from the LPC
module. The FAA considers the ``next'' exposure to include any
separation of the LPC IBR-1 from the LPC module after the effective
date of this AD. If the LPC IBR-1 is assembled into the module on the
effective date of this AD, then it is not a ``piece-part exposure.'' If
the LPC IBR-1 is separated from the LPC module after the effective date
of the AD, then paragraph (g)(2) of this AD will need to be performed
because it will meet the definition of ``piece-part exposure''. The FAA
is not concerned if the assembly of the LPC module has started or not.
The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Clarify ``Major Mating Engine Flanges''
ANA requested that the FAA clarify if ``major mating engine
flanges'' referenced in paragraph (h)(1) of the proposed AD are
considered as flanges E through P.
To clarify, the FAA considers the major mating engine flanges
referenced in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD as flanges E through P,
inclusive. The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Clarify ``Induction of an Engine''
ANA requested that the FAA clarify the meaning of ``induction of an
engine'' in paragraph (h)(1) of the proposed AD. ANA asked if an engine
is already in-shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of
major mating engine flanges at the effective date of this AD, does
paragraph (g)(1) need to be performed in this shop visit?
To clarify, the FAA's meaning of ``induction of an engine'' when
using the example provided by ANA is: ``if the engine was already at an
engine shop visit on the effective date of this AD, the requirements of
paragraph (g)(1) would apply at the next engine shop visit after the
effective date of this AD.'' The FAA did not change this AD as a result
of this comment.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, and
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed
in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on
any operator.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 215 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 57727]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace LPC IBR-1........................ 1 work-hours x $85 per hour $36,350 $36,435 $7,833,525
= $85.
Replace IGV key washers and install IGV 20 work-hours x $85 per 4,392 6,092 1,309,780
spacers. hour = $1,700.
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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,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 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:
2024-14-04 International Aero Engines, LLC: Amendment 39-22785;
Docket No. FAA-2024-0763; Project Identifier AD-2023-00924-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 20, 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 that have not incorporated Pratt &
Whitney Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0180-00A-930A-D (initial
issue or any revision), and 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 and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ffbeb2b0bcbf999e9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecada1a3afac8a8d8dc28b839a">[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) 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#57343625383b793930222e32391731363679303821"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7a4a6b5a8abe9a9a0b2bea2a987a1a6a6e9a0a8b1">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
[[Page 57728]]
Issued on July 10, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15466 Filed 7-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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