[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77411-77413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30194]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 24, 2014 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 77411]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-1100; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-37-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-09-
09 that applies to all International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1,
V2525-D5, and V2528-D5 turbofan engines, and certain serial numbers (S/
Ns) of IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-
A5, and V2533-A5 turbofan engines. AD 2012-09-09 currently requires
cleaning, eddy current inspection (ECI) or fluorescent penetrant
inspection (FPI), and initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections
(USIs) of certain high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 3 to 8 drums, as
well as replacement of the drum attachment nuts. Since we issued AD
2012-09-09, we discovered that additional attachment nuts for certain
HPC stage 3 to 8 drums are affected. This proposed AD would expand the
affected population for initial and repetitive USIs of the HPC stage 3
to 8 drum, revise the inspection intervals, require removal of the
affected attachment nuts and any HPC stage 3 to 8 drum found cracked,
and require a mandatory terminating action. We are proposing this AD to
prevent failure of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum, which could result in
uncontained drum failure, damage to the engine, and damage to the
airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 23,
2015.
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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT
06118; phone: 860-368-3700; fax: 860-368-4600; email:
[email protected]; Internet: https://www.iaeworld.com. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
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-2009-
1100; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone:
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7157;
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-1100;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-37-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM 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 NPRM.
Discussion
On May 2, 2012, we issued AD 2012-09-09, Amendment 39-17044 (77 FR
30371, May 23, 2012), (``AD 2012-09-09''), for all IAE V2500-A1, V2525-
D5, and V2528-D5 turbofan engines, and certain S/Ns of IAE V2522-A5,
V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5
turbofan engines. AD 2012-09-09 requires cleaning, ECI or FPI, and
initial and repetitive USIs of certain HPC stage 3 to 8 drums, as well
as replacement of the drum attachment nuts. AD 2012-09-09 resulted from
inspections that found 50 HPC drums with cracks and reports that
indicated that the required inspection intervals were not adequate. We
issued AD 2012-09-09 to prevent uncontained failure of the HPC stage 3
to 8 drum, which could result in damage to the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2012-09-09 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2012-09-09, we discovered that partially silver-
plated nuts for certain HPC stage 3 to 8 drums cause the drum to
corrode and crack. IAE has also developed a new nut design without
silver plating.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed IAE Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No.
V2500-ENG-72-0615, Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014; IAE NMSB No.
V2500-ENG-72-0625, dated September 20, 2011; and IAE NMSB No. V2500-
ENG-72-0637, dated May 2, 2013. IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0615
describes procedures for performing a USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum.
IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0625 provides guidance on performing an ECI
that will improve the ability to detect cracked HPC stage 3 to 8 drums.
IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0637 describes procedures for
[[Page 77412]]
performing an FPI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing 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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would expand the affected population for initial
and repetitive USIs of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum, revise the inspection
intervals, require removal of affected attachment nuts, and require
removal of any HPC stage 3 to 8 drums found cracked. As mandatory
terminating action, this proposed AD would require installation of an
HPC stage 3 to 8 drum that has never operated with silver-plated nuts
using silver-free nuts to attach the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum to the HPC
stage 9 to 12 drum.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 956 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate that it would take about 3
hours per engine to perform the USI and about 2 hours per engine to
perform the FPI or ECI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum. We also estimate
that removing silver residue from the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum would cost
about $2,600 per engine, and required parts would cost about $1,060 per
engine. We estimate the pro-rated replacement cost to replace an HPC
stage 3 to 8 drum to be $52,014. Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $53,630,644.
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.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2012-09-09, Amendment 39-17044 (77 FR 30371, May 23, 2012), and adding
the following new AD:
International Aero Engines AG: Docket No. FAA-2009-1100; Directorate
Identifier 2009-NE-37-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 23,
2015.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2012-09-09, Amendment 39-17044 (77 FR 30371,
May 23, 2012).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to:
(1) All International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1 turbofan
engines; and
(2) All IAE V2525-D5 and V2528-D5 turbofan engines; and
(3) IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5,
V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 turbofan engines with serial numbers (S/Ns)
V10001 through V13190, and V15001 through V16728, excluding V16707.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the discovery that additional attachment
nuts for certain HPC stage 3 to 8 drums cause the drum to corrode
and crack. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC
stage 3 to 8 drum, which could result in uncontained drum failure,
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done. Use paragraph 3.A. of IAE Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615,
Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014, to do the ultrasonic inspection
(USI) required by this AD. You may use the inspections listed in
paragraph (g)(3) of this AD instead of a USI for the initial
inspection required by paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(5) of this AD.
If cracks are found during any of the inspections required by this
AD, remove the drum from service before further flight.
(1) Initial USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum--Group ``A'' and
Group ``B'':
For IAE V2500-A1 turbofan engines with S/Ns listed in ``Group
A'' or ``Group B'' in paragraph 1.E. in IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-
ENG-72-A0615, Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014, perform an
initial USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum within 200 cycles of
accumulating 8,000 cycles-since-new (CSN) or within 200 cycles from
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) Initial USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum--Group ``C'':
For IAE V2500-A5 turbofan engines with S/Ns listed in ``Group
C'' in paragraph 1.E. in IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615,
Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014, perform an initial USI of the
HPC stage 3 to 8 drum within 200 cycles of accumulating 6,250 CSN or
within 200 cycles from the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
(3) Initial USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum--Group ``D'':
For IAE V2500-A5 turbofan engines with S/Ns listed in ``Group
D'' in paragraph 1.E. in IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615,
Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014, perform an initial USI of the
HPC stage 3 to 8 drum within 200 cycles of accumulating 3,750 CSN or
within 200 cycles from the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
(4) Initial USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum--Group ``E'':
For IAE V2500-A1, -A5, and -D5 turbofan engines not listed in
``Group A,'' ``Group B,'' ``Group C,'' or ``Group D,'' and with drum
assembly part numbers (P/Ns) listed in ``Group E'' in paragraph 1.E.
in IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615, Revision
[[Page 77413]]
6, dated September 4, 2014, perform an initial USI of the HPC stage
3 to 8 drum within 200 cycles of accumulating 12,500 CSN or within
200 cycles from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
(5) Initial USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum--Group ``F'':
For IAE V2500-A1, -A5, and -D5 turbofan engines not listed in
``Group A,'' ``Group B,'' ``Group C,'' or ``Group D,'' and with drum
assembly P/Ns listed in ``Group F'' in paragraph 1.E. in IAE Alert
NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615, Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014,
perform an initial USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum within 200
cycles of accumulating 9,000 CSN or within 200 cycles from the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(f) Repetitive USIs of the HPC Stage 3 to 8 Drum
(1) For engines included in ``Group A,'' ``Group B,'' ``Group
C,'' ``Group E,'' or ``Group F,'' as defined in paragraph (e) of
this AD, perform repetitive USIs of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum within
every 750 cycles of the last USI.
(2) For engines included in ``Group D,'' as defined in paragraph
(e) of this AD, perform repetitive USIs of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum
within every 500 cycles of the last USI.
(3) If you inspect the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum at shop visit, you
may delay the next USI as shown in the ``Grace Periods Table'' for
each compliance group listed in paragraph 1.E. in IAE Alert NMSB No.
V2500-ENG-72-A0615, Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014.
(g) Removal of Silver-Plated Nuts
Unless already done, at the next piece-part exposure of the HPC
stage 3 to 8 drum after the effective date of this AD, do the
following before returning any HPC stage 3 to 8 drum to service:
(1) Remove from service all silver-plated nuts (fully or
partially-plated), P/Ns AS44862 or AS64367, that attach the HPC
stage 3 to 8 drum to the HPC stage 9 to 12 drum.
(2) Remove the silver residue from the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum.
(3) Perform an inspection of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum using at
least one of the following methods:
(i) Fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the HPC stage 3 to
8 drum for cracks, or
(ii) Eddy current inspection (ECI) of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum
for cracks.
(h) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install any silver-
plated nuts, P/N AS44862 or AS64367, into any engine.
(i) Mandatory Terminating Action
Within 9,450 cycles after the effective date of this AD,
install:
(1) an HPC stage 3 to 8 drum that has never operated with
silver-plated nuts (fully or partially plated) to attach the HPC
stage 3 to 8 drum to the HPC stage 9 to 12 drum, with
(2) silver-free nuts to attach the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum to the
HPC stage 9 to 12 drum.
(j) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' is removal
of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum from the engine, removal of all blades
from the drum, and separation of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum from the
stage 9 to 12 drum.
(k) Credit for Previous Actions
If you performed an inspection of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum
before the effective date of this AD using one of the following IAE
NMSBs, you met the initial inspection requirement of paragraph (e)
of this AD:
(i) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0594, Revision 3, dated August 7,
2009, through Revision 6, dated April 12, 2010.
(ii) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0603, Revision 2, dated March 17,
2010, or earlier revisions.
(iii) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0608, Revision 3, dated
September 20, 2011, or earlier revisions.
(iv) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0615, Revision 5, dated August 5,
2014, or earlier revisions.
(v) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0638, Initial Issue, dated April
11, 2013.
(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(m) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Martin Adler,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0637, dated May 2, 2013; IAE NMSB
No. V2500-ENG-72-0625, dated September 20, 2011; IAE Engine Manual
Task 72-41-11-200-001; and IAE Engine Manual Task 72-41-11-110-001,
which are not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained
from IAE, using the contact information in paragraph (m)(3) of this
proposed AD. IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0637 and IAE Engine Manual
Task 72-41-11-200-001 provide guidance on performing the FPI.
Guidance on performing the ECI can be found in IAE NMSB No. V2500-
ENG-72-0625. IAE Engine Manual Task 72-41-11-110-001 provides
guidance on cleaning the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT
06118; phone: 860-368-3700; fax: 860-368-4600; email:
[email protected]; Internet: https://www.iaeworld.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781-238-7125.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 16, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-30194 Filed 12-23-14; 8:45 am]
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