[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 90969-90971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30064]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-7099; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-15-AD;
Amendment 39-18737; AD 2016-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5,
V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, V2533-A5, V2525-D5, V2528-D5, and
V2531-E5 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by nine in-flight
shutdowns (IFSDs) that resulted from premature failure of the No. 3
bearing. This AD requires inspections and corrective actions for
bearing damage. This AD also requires removal of the No. 3 bearing from
service at the next engine shop visit. We are issuing this AD to
correct the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 20, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 20,
2017.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact International Aero Engines AG, 400
[[Page 90970]]
Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: 860-565-0140; email:
[email protected]; Internet: http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7125. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
7099.
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-2016-
7099; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Kierstead, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain IAE V2522-A5,
V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, V2533-A5, V2525-D5,
V2528-D5, and V2531-E5 turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on July 21, 2016 (81 FR 47313). The NPRM was prompted
by nine IFSDs resulting from premature failure of the No. 3 bearing.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the No. 3
bearing, failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and
loss of the airplane. The NPRM proposed to require removal of the No. 3
bearing from service at the next engine shop visit. We are issuing this
AD to prevent failure of the No. 3 bearing, failure of one or more
engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to each comment. Boeing supported the NPRM.
Request To Add Terminating Action
MTU Maintenance Hanover GmbH (MTU) requested that IAE Non
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-0673, dated June 3,
2016, be added as a terminating action in this AD. MTU also requested
IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0673 be included in credit for previous action.
They reason that following the issue of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0671,
dated March 22, 2016, IAE released IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0673, which
recommends removal of No. 3 bearing serial numbers (S/Ns) identical to
those listed in IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0671.
We partially agree. We agree that the removal of the suspect
bearing in accordance with IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0673, dated June 3,
2016 would accomplish both the (e)(3) compliance and (f) terminating
action requirements of this AD because both IAE service documents
reference identical bearing S/Ns.
We disagree that including IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0673 as a
terminating action or listing as credit for previous action is
necessary since replacement of a bearing S/N per IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-
0673, dated June 3, 2016, makes the engine no longer applicable to the
AD. We did not change this AD.
Request To Remove Certain Engine Models From Applicability
IAE and MTU request engine models V2525-D5, V2528-D5, and V2531-E5
be removed from the applicability section of this AD. IAE states that
the suspect No. 3 bearings referenced by this AD have all been
installed in A5 series engines as specified in IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-
0671, dated March 22, 2016 and requests alignment with the service
instructions in order to provide consistency between the IAE NMSB
V2500-ENG-72-0671 and this AD. MTU reasons that the IAE NMSBs V2500-
ENG-72-0671 and V2500-ENG-72-0673 do not list V2525-D5, V2528-D5, and
V2531-E5 engine models, therefore, this AD should not be applicable to
these models.
We disagree. The applicability section of this AD identifies all
V2500 engine models of the same type design where the suspect bearing
could be installed. This AD further refines the applicability section
with identification of specific No. 3 bearing S/Ns listed in IAE NMSB
V2500-ENG-72-0671, Appendix 1, dated March 22, 2016. We did not change
this AD.
Request To Identify Applicability by Either Engine S/N or Bearing S/N
Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) requests the applicability section be
revised to identify either the engine S/N or the No. 3 bearing S/N
listed in IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0671, dated March 22, 2016. CPA
suggests that operators might identify engine applicability based on
the No. 3 bearing S/N or the engine S/N, as both are listed in IAE NMSB
V2500-ENG-72-0671, Appendix 1, dated March 22, 2016.
We disagree. Determining applicability by engine S/N in lieu of the
No. 3 bearing S/N is not adequate, as the suspect bearing may have been
reinstalled in another engine. We did not change this AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD as proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0671, dated March 22, 2016. The
NMSB describes procedures for inspecting the MMCD and further actions
if metallic debris is found. 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.
Other Related Service Information
We reviewed IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0673, dated June 3, 2016. The
NMSB describes procedures for removal and replacement of the No. 3
bearing.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 11 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry. We estimate that it would take about 1 hour to
perform the inspection. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We
estimate the cost to replace a No. 3 bearing to be $54,510. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be
$600,545.
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:
[[Page 90971]]
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
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):
2016-25-11 International Aero Engines AG: Amendment 39-18737; Docket
No. FAA-2016-7099; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-15-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective January 20, 2017.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2522-A5,
V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, V2533-A5, V2525-
D5, V2528-D5, and V2531-E5 turbofan engines with No. 3 bearing
serial numbers (S/Ns) listed in Appendix 1 of IAE Non-Modification
Service Bulletin (NMSB) V2500-ENG-72-0671, dated March 22, 2016.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by several in-flight shutdowns that
resulted from premature failure of the No. 3 bearing. We are issuing
this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) Prior to accumulating 125 flight hours (FH) after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the master magnetic chip detector
(MMCD) for metallic debris. If no metallic debris is found during
the MMCD inspection, repeat the inspection within every 125 FH.
(2) If metallic debris is found during the MMCD inspection,
evaluate the debris using paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment
Instructions in IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0671, dated March 22, 2016.
Perform additional inspections or remove the engine from service in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in IAE NMSB V2500-
ENG-72-0671.
(3) Remove the No. 3 bearing from service at the next engine
shop visit and replace it with a bearing part/serial number
combination not listed in Appendix 1 of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0671,
dated March 22, 2016.
(f) Mandatory Terminating Action
Removal of the No. 3 bearing from service at the next engine
shop visit and replacement with a bearing not listed in Appendix 1
of IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0671, dated March 22, 2016, is terminating
action to this AD.
(g) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that the
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation without subsequent engine maintenance does not
constitute an engine shop visit.
(h) 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].
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Brian Kierstead,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) IAE NMSB V2500-ENG-72-0673, dated June 3, 2016, can be
obtained from IAE using the contact information in paragraph (j)(3)
of this AD.
(j) 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 AG (IAE) Non-Modification Service
Bulletin V2500-ENG-72-0671, dated March 22, 2016.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For IAE service information identified in this AD, contact
International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT
06118; phone: 860-565-0140; email: [email protected]; Internet:
http://fleetcare.pw.utc.com.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
781-238-7125.
(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 November 28, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30064 Filed 12-15-16; 8:45 am]
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