84 FR 11642 - Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Turbofan Engines

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500 turbofan engine models. This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) of the diffuser case M-flange and, if it fails the inspection, replacement of the diffuser case with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by a crack found at the diffuser case M-flange during overhaul inspection. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11642-11644]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05885]



[[Page 11642]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0151; Product Identifier 2019-NE-04-AD; Amendment 
39-19604; AD 2019-06-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500 turbofan engine models. This 
AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) of the 
diffuser case M-flange and, if it fails the inspection, replacement of 
the diffuser case with a part eligible for installation. This AD was 
prompted by a crack found at the diffuser case M-flange during overhaul 
inspection. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 12, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 12, 
2019.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 13, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 
06118; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2019-0151.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0151; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations (phone: 
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report that a crack at the diffuser case M-flange was 
found during overhaul inspection. Analysis by IAE found that the cracks 
were a result of pressure loads in the case wall combined with thermal 
gradients in the M-flange. This condition, if not addressed, could 
result in uncontained diffuser case rupture, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed IAE Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
V2500-ENG-72-A0706, dated February 14, 2019. The NMSB describes 
procedures for inspecting the diffuser case M-flange. 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 the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and 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 initial and repetitive BSI of the diffuser case M-
flange and, if it fails the inspection, replacement of the diffuser 
case with a part eligible for installation.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    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 waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because certain IAE V2500 turbofan engine models require inspection 
within 250 cycles to prevent rupture of the diffuser case and damage to 
the engine. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity 
for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason 
stated above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2019-
0151 and Product Identifier 2019-NE-04-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
final rule because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,654 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 11643]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borescope inspection...............  1.8 work-hours x $85 per                 $0            $153        $253,062
                                      hour = $153.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this 
replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the diffuser case..............  20 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $48,300         $50,000
                                                 $1,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    We are 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Adoption of 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 (AD):

2019-06-06 International Aero Engines AG: Amendment 39-19604; Docket 
No. FAA-2019-0151; Product Identifier 2019-NE-04-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 12, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1, 
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525-D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-
D5, V2530-A5, V2533-A5 turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine 
Combustion Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a crack found at the diffuser case M-
flange during overhaul inspection. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the diffuser case. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in uncontained diffuser case rupture, 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

    (1) For diffuser cases with a rear outer flange that is equal to 
or greater than 20,000 cycles since new (CSN) on the effective date 
of this AD, perform an initial borescope inspection (BSI) of zones 
1, 2, and 3 of the diffuser case M-flange before accumulating the 
BSI Within (Cycles) listed in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this 
AD. Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A. through 
2.G. for the appropriate engine model, of IAE Alert Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-A0706, dated February 14, 2019, 
to perform the inspection.

[[Page 11644]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28MR19.000

    (2) For diffuser cases with a rear outer flange that have fewer 
than 20,000 CSN on the effective date of this AD, perform an initial 
BSI of zones 1, 2, and 3 of the diffuser case M-flange within 21,300 
CSN, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
2.A. through 2.G. for the appropriate engine model, of IAE Alert 
NMSB V2500-ENG-72-A0706, dated February 14, 2019.
    (3) If no cracks are found, perform a repetitive BSI not to 
exceed every 2,100 cycles since the previous BSI.
    (4) If cracks are found, remove the diffuser case and replace 
with a part eligible for installation or repeat the BSI within the 
intervals in either Table 2: Fly on Limits or Table 4: Fly on 
Limits, as appropriate for the affected the engine model, of IAE 
Alert NMSB V2500-ENG-72-A0706, dated February 14, 2019.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions that are required by 
paragraph (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, if you performed those actions 
before the effective date of this AD using IAE V2500 Special 
Instruction (SI) No. 350F-18, Rev. 1, dated December 17, 2018; IAE 
V2500 SI No. 356F-18, Rev. 1, dated January 9, 2019; IAE V2500 SI 
No. 372F-18, dated January 8, 2019; or IAE V2500 Special SI No. 04F-
19, dated January 14, 2019.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO 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 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. You may email your request 
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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(k) 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) International Aero Engines (IAE) Alert Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin V2500-ENG-72-A0706, dated February 14, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For IAE service information identified in this AD, contact 
International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT, 
06118; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; internet: 
http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (5) 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 22, 2019.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-05885 Filed 3-27-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P