Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC Engines

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 83 (Monday, April 29, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33204-33206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09104]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1989; Project Identifier AD-2023-00512-E; 
Amendment 39-22719; AD 2024-06-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines, LLC Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) Model PW1124G1-JM, 
PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, and 
PW1133GA-JM engines. This AD was prompted by a report that certain 
high-pressure compressor (HPC) 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th stage 
rotors have potentially degraded knife-edge seals and abrasive coating 
of the rear wing 4th stage rotor due to having been cleaned in alkaline 
solution without masking the knife-edge seal coating. Operating in this 
condition could result in material degradation and fracture of the HPC 
2nd stage rotor and HPC 4th stage rotor. This AD requires replacement 
of certain HPC 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 3, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 3, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1989; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <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) 565-0140; 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.

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:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain IAE Model 
PW1124G1-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-
JM, and PW1133GA-JM engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on October 5, 2023 (88 FR 69099). The NPRM was prompted by a report of 
a batch of HPC 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors that could 
have degraded knife-edge seals and abrasive coating on the rear wing 
4th stage rotor due to having been cleaned in alkaline solution without

[[Page 33205]]

masking the knife-edge seal coating. Operating in this condition could 
result in material degradation and fracture of the HPC 2nd stage rotor 
and HPC 4th stage rotor. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 
replacement of the affected HPC 2nd stage rotor and HPC 4th stage rotor 
with parts eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.
    Since the NPRM was issued, PW also revised PW Service Bulletin 
PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated September 13, 2022, 
to PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, 
Issue 002, dated January 18, 2024, to incorporate editorial changes. 
This service bulletin revision does not affect compliance or add any 
additional burden upon owners/operators of aircraft with the affected 
engines installed. Full credit will be given for PW Service Bulletin 
PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated September 13, 2022.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two commenters. The commenters were 
the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and Delta Air 
Lines, Inc (DAL). ALPA supported the NPRM without change. The following 
presents the comment received from DAL on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response.

Request To Revise Definition for Parts Eligible for Installation

    DAL requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of the 
proposed AD to specify which version of the service bulletin is 
acceptable for compliance. DAL noted that the definition of a part 
eligible for installation in paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of the proposed AD 
does not currently specify which version of the service bulletin is 
acceptable for compliance, and it may be unclear to operators if the 
use of a future revision of the service bulletin is acceptable.
    The FAA agrees with the request to revise paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of 
this AD in order to specify which version of the service bulletin is 
acceptable for compliance. The FAA revised paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this 
AD to reference PW ASB PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 002, 
dated January 18, 2024, which was issued by PW after the NPRM was 
published. The FAA also added paragraph (i) to this AD, and 
redesignated subsequent paragraphs of this AD accordingly, to provide 
credit for actions performed before the effective date of this AD using 
PW SB PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated September 13, 
2022.

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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney ASB PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-
D, Issue 002, dated January 18, 2024. This service information 
identifies the affected HPC 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors 
and specifies procedures for inspection and repair of the HPC 2nd stage 
rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 6 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPC 2nd stage rotor and HPC     73 work-hours x $85 per               $0          $6,205         $37,230
 4th stage rotor with repaired parts.    hour = $6,205.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Operators may choose to use new parts instead of repaired parts to 
comply with this AD. For replacement with new parts, the FAA estimates 
the following costs:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPC 2nd stage rotor...................  32 work-hours x $85 per hour =          $312,000        $314,720
                                                 $2,720.
Replace HPC 4th stage rotor...................  32 work-hours x $85 per hour =           244,000         246,720
                                                 $2,720.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 33206]]

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:

2024-06-14 International Aero Engines, LLC: Amendment 39-22719; 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1989; Project Identifier AD-2023-00512-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 3, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines, LLC Model 
PW1124G1-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, 
PW1133G-JM, and PW1133GA-JM engines having a high-pressure 
compressor (HPC) 2nd stage rotor or HPC 4th stage rotor having a 
part number and serial number identified in the Applicability, Table 
2, of Pratt & Whitney (PW) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW1000G-C-
72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 002, dated January 18, 2024 (PW ASB 
PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 002).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that certain HPC 2nd stage 
rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors have potentially degraded knife-edge 
seals and abrasive coating of the rear wing 4th stage rotor due to 
having been cleaned in alkaline solution without masking the knife-
edge seal coating. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent material 
degradation and fracture of the HPC 2nd stage rotor and HPC 4th 
stage rotor. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
uncontained part release or dual-engine shutdown, damage to engine, 
damage to airplane, and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, remove the HPC 2nd stage rotor having a part number and 
serial number identified in the Applicability, Table 2, of PW ASB 
PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 002, and replace with a part 
eligible for installation.
    (2) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, remove the HPC 4th stage rotor having a part number and 
serial number identified in the Applicability, Table 2, of PW ASB 
PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 002, and replace with a part 
eligible for installation.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For the purposes of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' is:
    (i) Any HPC 2nd stage rotor or HPC 4th stage rotor, as 
applicable, that does not have a part number and serial number 
identified in the Applicability, Table 2, of PW ASB PW1000G-C-72-00-
0208-00A-930A-D, Issue 002; or
    (ii) Any HPC 2nd stage rotor or HPC 4th stage rotor, as 
applicable, that has incorporated PW ASB PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-
930A-D, Issue 002.
    (2) For the purposes of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of the ``H'' flange.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the replacement of the HPC 2nd stage 
rotor or HPC 4th stage rotor required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of 
this AD if the HPC 2nd stage rotor or HPC 4th stage rotor 
incorporated PW Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-00A-930A-D, 
Issue 001, dated September 13, 2022, before the effective date of 
this AD.

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

(k) 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].

(l) 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.
    (i) Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0208-
00A-930A-D, Issue 002, dated January 18, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Pratt & Whitney service information identified in this 
AD, contact International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East 
Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (860) 565-0140; email: [email protected]; 
website: connect.prattwhitney.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on March 22, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09104 Filed 4-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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