Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC Engines

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 22, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56999-57002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18114]



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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 56999]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1714; Project Identifier AD-2023-00902-E; 
Amendment 39-22526; AD 2023-16-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1122G-JM, 
PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-
JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, PW1428G-JM, PW1428GA-JM, 
PW1428GH-JM, PW1431G-JM, PW1431GA-JM, and PW1431GH-JM engines. This AD 
was prompted by an updated analysis of an event involving an IAE LLC 
Model PW1127GA-JM engine, which experienced a high-pressure compressor 
(HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-7) separation that 
resulted in an aborted takeoff. This AD requires performing an 
ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-
stage hub and HPT 2nd-stage hub for cracks and, depending on the 
results of the inspections, replacing the HPT 1st-stage hub or HPT 2nd-
stage hub. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 28, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 28, 
2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
November 7, 2022 (87 FR 59660, October 3, 2022; corrected 87 FR 64156, 
October 24, 2022).
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 6, 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 regulations.gov. 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 regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1714; 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.
    <bullet> For Pratt & Whitney (PW) service information identified in 
this final rule, contact International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main 
Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (860) 690-9667; email: 
[email protected]; website: connect.prattwhitney.com.
    <bullet> 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. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1714.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, 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 data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1714; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00902-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 
regulations.gov, 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 Carol 
Nguyen, Aviation Safety Engineer, 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 March 18, 2020, an Airbus Model A321-231 airplane, powered by 
International Aero Engines AG (IAE AG) Model V2533-A5 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

[[Page 57000]]

rule, request for comments (85 FR 20402)), which requires the removal 
from service of certain HPT 1st-stage disks installed on IAE AG Model 
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, 
V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 engines. A manufacturer investigation found that 
the failure of the HPT 1st-stage disk was a result of a material 
anomaly attributed to deficiencies in the manufacturing process.
    Based on the analysis performed since that March 2020 event, the 
manufacturer, PW, identified a different population of HPT 1st-stage 
disks and HPT 2nd-stage disks that are subject to the same unsafe 
condition identified in AD 2020-07-51. In response, the FAA issued AD 
2021-19-10, Amendment 39-21728 (86 FR 50610, September 10, 2021) (AD 
2021-19-10), which requires the removal from service of certain HPT 
1st-stage disks and HPT 2nd-stage disks installed on IAE LLC Model 
PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G-
JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, and PW1133G-JM engines.
    Since the FAA issued AD 2021-19-10, PW identified another 
subpopulation of HPT 1st-stage disks and HPT 2nd-stage disks that, 
because of their susceptibility to the same material anomaly, require 
inspection and possible removal from service. In response, the FAA 
issued AD 2022-19-15, Amendment 39-22184 (87 FR 59660, October 3, 2022; 
corrected 87 FR 64156, October 24, 2022) (AD 2022-19-15), which 
requires performing a USI of the HPT 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd-stage 
disk and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of 
the HPT 1st-stage disk or HPT 2nd-stage disk installed on IAE LLC Model 
PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G-
JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, and PW1133G-JM engines.
    Since the FAA issued AD 2022-19-15, on December 24, 2022 an Airbus 
Model A320neo airplane powered by IAE LLC Model PW1127GA-JM engines, 
experienced an HPC IBR-7 failure that resulted in engine shutdown and 
aborted take-off. Following this event, the manufacturer conducted a 
records review of production and field-returned parts, and re-evaluated 
their engineering analysis methodology. The new analysis identified HPT 
1st-stage hubs and HPT 2nd-stage hubs that are susceptible to failure 
much earlier than previously determined. On August 4, 2023, PW issued 
service information to instructing operators to conduct a USI to detect 
cracks and prevent premature failure. The new service information 
necessitates action much earlier than the timing mandated in AD 2022-
19-15. The manufacturer's updated analysis also identified PW1400G 
series engines that contain HPT 1st-stage hubs and HPT 2nd-stage hubs 
that are also subject to this vulnerability and therefore need 
immediate inspection. This condition, if not addressed, could result in 
uncontained 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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed PW Special Instruction No. 149F-23, dated August 
4, 2023. This service information provides the list of affected HPT 
1st-stage hubs and HPT 2nd-stage hubs, identified by part number and 
serial number, installed on certain IAE LLC engines.
    Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0188-00A-930A-D, 
Issue No: 002, dated July 8, 2022, was previously approved for 
incorporation by reference on November 7, 2022 (87 FR 59660, October 3, 
2022; corrected 87 FR 64156, October 24, 2022).
    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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires performing a USI of the HPT 1st-stage hub and HPT 
2nd-stage hub and, depending on the results of the inspections, 
replacement of the HPT 1st-stage hub or HPT 2nd-stage hub.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    PW Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0188-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 002, 
dated July 8, 2022, includes only PW1100G-JM series engines in its 
applicability. This AD applies to both PW1100G-JM series engines and 
PW1400G-JM series engines.

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.
    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 forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule. 
The presence of material anomalies in the HPT 1st-stage hubs and HPT 
2nd-stage hubs discovered after the December 24, 2022 engine shutdown 
and aborted take-off could lead to premature fracture and uncontained 
failure, which indicates an immediate safety of flight problem. The 
manufacturer also recently conducted a records review of production and 
field-returned parts, and re-evaluated their engineering analysis 
methodology and identified HPT 1st-stage hubs and HPT 2nd-stage hubs 
that require USI much earlier than previously required. The 
manufacturer issued service information on August 4, 2023 instructing 
operators to remove these engines from service by September 15, 2023 
due to the urgency of the safety of flight issue. The longer these 
parts remain in service, without the inspections required by this AD, 
the higher the probability of failure. Therefore, the compliance time 
for these required inspections is shorter than the time necessary for 
the public to comment and for publication of the final rule. 
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

[[Page 57001]]

less than 30 days, for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to 
forgo notice and comment.

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 20 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USI the HPT 1st-stage hub.............  100 work-hours x $85 per              $0          $8,500        $170,000
                                         hour = $8,500.
USI the HPT 2nd-stage hub.............  100 work-hours x $85 per               0           8,500         170,000
                                         hour = $8,500.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacement that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT 1st-stage hub or HPT 2nd-stage hub  1 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $171,000        $171,085
                                                 $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2023-16-07 International Aero Engines, LLC: Amendment 39-22526; 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1714; Project Identifier AD-2023-00902-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 28, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    AD 2022-19-15, Amendment 39-22184 (87 FR 59660, October 3, 2022; 
corrected 87 FR 64156, October 24, 2022) (AD 2022-19-15) is related 
to this AD.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) 
Model PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127G1-JM, 
PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-JM, 
PW1428G-JM, PW1428GA-JM, PW1428GH-JM, PW1431G-JM, PW1431GA-JM, and 
PW1431GH-JM engines with an installed:
    (1) High-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage hub, part number (P/N) 
30G6201 or 30G7301, with a serial number (S/N) listed in Tables 1, 
2, 3, or 4 of Pratt & Whitney (PW) Special Instruction No. 149F-23, 
dated August 4, 2023; or
    (2) HPT 2nd-stage hub, P/N 30G5502 or 30G6602, with an S/N 
listed in Tables 1, 2, 3, or 4 of PW Special Instruction No. 149F-
23, dated August 4, 2023.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an analysis of an event involving an IAE 
LLC Model PW1127GA-JM engine, which experienced a failure of a high-
pressure compressor 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor that resulted 
in an aborted takeoff. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the HPT 1st-stage hub and HPT 2nd-stage hub. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained hub 
failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to the engine, damage 
to the airplane, and loss of the airplane.

[[Page 57002]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
an ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the HPT 1st-stage hubs for cracks 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 9.A. 
or 9.B., as applicable, of PW Service Bulletin (SB) PW1000G-C-72-00-
0188-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated July 8, 2022 (PW1000G-C-72-00-
0188-00A-930A-D, Issue 002).
    (2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a USI of the HPT 2nd-stage hubs for cracks in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 9.C. or 9.D., as applicable, 
of PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0188-00A-930A-D, Issue 002.
    (3) If a rejectable indication is found during the inspections 
required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, before further 
flight, replace the HPT 1st-stage hub or HPT 2nd-stage hub with a 
part eligible for installation.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for installation'' 
is:
    (1) Any HPT 1st-stage hub or HPT 2nd-stage hub that has passed 
the USI required by paragraphs (g)(1) or (2) of this AD.
    (2) Any HPT 1st-stage hub or HPT 2nd-stage hub with a 
certificate of conformance indicating ``PW1000G-C-72-00-0188-00A-
930A-D,'' ``1 CODE 45S,'' or identified by part marking ``21CC332'' 
or ``SB 72-0188.''

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the USIs required by paragraphs (g)(1) 
and (2) of this AD if you performed the USIs before the effective 
date of this AD using PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0188-00A-930A-D, Issue 
No: 001, dated September 13, 2021.

(j) Terminating Action to AD 2022-19-15

    Compliance with this AD satisfies the requirements of AD 2022-
19-15.

(k) 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 branch manager, send it to the attention 
of the person identified in paragraph (l) 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.

(l) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Carol Nguyen, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: (781) 238-7655; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(5) and (6) of this AD.

(m) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 28, 2023.
    (i) Pratt & Whitney Special Instruction No. 149F-23, dated 
August 4, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
November 7, 2022 (87 FR 59660, October 3, 2022; corrected 87 FR 
64156, October 24, 2022).
    (i) Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0188-00A-
930A-D, Issue No.: 002, dated July 8, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this 
AD, contact International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (860) 690-9667; email: [email protected]; 
website: connect.prattwhitney.com.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 August 11, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-18114 Filed 8-18-23; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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