Airworthiness Directives; Engine Alliance Engines

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 194 (Thursday, October 8, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64256-64259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-11801; Project Identifier AD-2026-00946-E; 
Amendment 39-23485; AD 2026-20-12]
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 report of an aborted takeoff that resulted 
from an uncontained failure of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) 
interstage seal. This AD requires removal from service and replacement 
of the HPT interstage seal with a part eligible for installation. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 23, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 23, 
2026.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 23, 2026.

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

[[Page 64257]]

p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-11801; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EA material identified in this AD, contact Engine 
Alliance, 411 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (800) 565-
0140; email: [email protected]; website: engineallianceportal.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material 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-2026-11801.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly Sturgis, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(562) 627-5373; 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 using a method listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-11801; Project 
Identifier AD-2026-00946-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 Molly 
Sturgis, 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.

Background

    The FAA received a report that an Airbus Model A380 airplane 
equipped with EA Model GP7270 engines experienced an uncontained 
failure of the HPT interstage seal that resulted in an engine shutdown 
and aborted takeoff. A manufacturer investigation determined that 
cracking most likely initiated at the clocking keys between the HPT 
interstage seal and the HPT stage-1 disk aft shaft. Although the root 
cause is still under investigation, HPT interstage mid-seal clocking 
has been identified as a contributing factor for the failure, and the 
manufacturer has noted that clocking is greater on HPT interstage seals 
that have been reassembled at overhaul. As a result, the FAA has 
determined that it is necessary to require removal of the 15 HPT 
interstage seals with the highest cycles since overhaul. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in an engine fire 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 determined the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other 
products of the same type design.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EA Alert Service Bulletin EAGP7-A72-479, dated 
September 4, 2026, which specifies the affected engine serial numbers, 
affected HPT interstage seal part numbers, and procedures for removal 
from service and replacement of the HPT interstage seal. This material 
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to 
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified 
in the ADDRESSES section.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the 
material described previously.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action 
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking at that 
time.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(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 
because uncontained failure of the HPT interstage seal has been 
reported with clocking of the HPT interstage seal as a contributing 
factor. Uncontained failure of the HPT interstage seal could result in 
an engine fire and damage to the airplane. The clocking was determined 
to be greater on HPT interstage seals that were re-assembled during 
overhaul, and the FAA has determined that certain affected engines will 
need to have the HPT interstage seals removed and replaced within 50 
flight cycles or within 30 days after effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, depending on the serial number. Additionally, 
the compliance time in this AD 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).
    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 forgo notice and 
comment.

[[Page 64258]]

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Cost per   Cost on U.S.
                   Action                              Labor cost           Parts cost    product     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT interstage seal................  10 work-hours x $85 per hour     $527,300    $528,150            $0
                                              = $850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2026-20-12 Engine Alliance: Amendment 39-23485; Docket No. FAA-2026-
11801; Project Identifier AD-2026-00946-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 23, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Engine Alliance (EA) Model GP7270, GP7272, 
and GP7277 engines, certificated in any category, having a high-
pressure turbine (HPT) interstage seal serial number (S/N) specified 
in Appendix-A of EA Alert Service Bulletin EAGP7-A72-479, dated 
September 4, 2026 (EA ASB EAGP7-A72-479).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an aborted takeoff which 
resulted from an uncontained failure of the HPT interstage seal. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the HPT 
interstage seal. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in an engine fire and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definition

    (1) An ``affected part'' is an HPT interstage seal having part 
number (P/N) 2047M99P02 and S/N listed in Appendix-A of EA ASB 
EAGP7-A72-479.
    (2) A ``part eligible for installation'' is any HPT interstage 
seal that is not an affected part.

(h) Required Actions

    At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (h)(1), (2), and 
(3) of this AD, as applicable, remove the HPT interstage seal from 
service and replace with a part eligible for installation.
    (1) For HPT interstage seals specified in Table 1 of Appendix-A 
of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-479, within 50 flight cycles or within 30 days, 
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For HPT interstage seals specified in Table 2 of Appendix-A 
of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-479, within 100 flight cycles or within 60 days, 
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For HPT interstage seals specified in Table 3 of Appendix-A 
of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-479, within 150 flight cycles or within 90 days, 
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although EA ASB EAGP7-A72-479 specifies to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that 
action.

(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 of the 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 Molly Sturgis, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (562) 627-5373; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference

[[Page 64259]]

(IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Engine Alliance (EA) Alert Service Bulletin EAGP7-A72-479, 
dated September 4, 2026.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EA material identified in this AD, contact Engine 
Alliance, 411 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (800) 
565-0140; email: [email protected]; website: 
engineallianceportal.com.
    (4) You may view this material 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.
    (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/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on October 6, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-20666 Filed 10-6-26; 4:15 pm]
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