[Federal Register: September 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 180)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 54400-54401]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17se03-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NE-21-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG (IAE)
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, and
V2533-A5 Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for certain IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5,
V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 turbofan engines. That AD currently
requires initial and repetitive inspections of the master magnetic chip
detector (MCD) or the No. 1, 2, 3 bearing chamber MCD. This proposed AD
would require the MCD inspections, and would require replacing certain
No. 3 bearings and replacing or recoating certain high pressure
compressor (HPC) stubshaft assemblies as mandatory terminating actions
to the repetitive MCD inspections. This proposed AD is prompted by the
development of a terminating action to the repetitive MCD inspections.
We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the No. 3 bearing, which
could result in in-flight shutdown (IFSD) and smoke in the cockpit and
cabin.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by November 17,
2003.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
[sbull] By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.
2003-NE-21-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
[sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055.
[sbull] By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov. You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT
06108; telephone: (860) 565-5515; fax: (860) 565-5510.
You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7152;
fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-21-AD'' in the
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those
comments.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Discussion
On May 29, 2003, the FAA issued AD 2003-11-23, Amendment 39-13183
(68 FR 33621, June 5, 2003). That AD requires initial and repetitive
inspections of the master MCD or the No. 1, 2, 3 bearing chamber MCD
for contamination, and if the contamination is bearing material,
replacement of the engine before further flight. That AD was prompted
by 19 failures of the No. 3 bearing attributed to ball spalling and
race fracture. Of the 19 failures, seven resulted in in-flight
shutdowns (IFSDs) and 12 resulted in unscheduled engine removals
(UERs). Of the seven IFSDs, two were associated with smoke in the cabin
or cockpit. The smoke is a result of the ball spalling and race
fracture of failed No. 3 bearings, P/N 2A1165, and occurs when there is
hard particle contamination in the oil system. The contamination is
caused by the release of coating particles on HPC stubshafts with low-
energy plasma coating. The problem exists on certain No. 3 bearings, P/
N 2A1165 that are less tolerant to damage from this contamination. This
AD is prompted by the addition of a mandatory terminating action to the
repetitive chip detector inspections. That condition, if not corrected,
could result in failure of the No. 3 bearing, which could result in
IFSD and smoke in the cockpit and cabin.
Actions Since AD 2003-11-23 Was Issued
Since that AD was issued, IAE has issued Service Bulletin No.
V2500-ENG-72-0459, dated June 27, 2003, that provides procedures for
replacing certain No. 3 bearings, P/N 2A1165, and replacing or
recoating certain HPC stubshafts that have a low-energy plasma coating
with HPC stubshafts that have a high-energy plasma coating.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require:
[sbull] Initial inspection of the master MCD and the No. 1, 2, 3
bearing chamber MCD within 125 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD,
[sbull] Repetitive inspections of the master MCD and the No. 1, 2,
3 bearing
[[Page 54401]]
chamber MCD within 125 hours time-since-last inspection,
[sbull] Replacement of the No. 3 bearing, P/N 2A1165, at the next
shop visit for any reason, and
[sbull] Replacement of HPC stubshafts that have a low-energy plasma
coating with HPC shafts that have a high-energy plasma coating or
recoating with a high-energy plasma coating at the next shop visit for
any reason.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products,
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in
future AD actions.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 404 IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5,
V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 turbofan engines of the affected
design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 170 engines installed
on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. We
also estimate that it would take approximately 150 work hours per
engine to perform the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate
is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $32,000 per
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $7,097,500.
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); and
3. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-21-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-13183 (68 FR
33621, June 5, 2003), and by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
International Aero Engines AG: Docket No. 2003-NE-21-AD. Supersedes
AD 2003-11-23, Amendment 39-13183.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by November 17,
2003.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2003-11-23, Amendment 39-13183.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to International Aero Engines AG (IAE)
V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, and
V2533-A5 turbofan engines that have a serial number (SN) from V10600
through V11250 inclusive. These engines are installed on, but not
limited to, Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of No. 3 bearing failures
that resulted in in-flight shutdown (IFSD) and smoke in the cockpit
and cabin. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the No. 3
bearing, which could result in IFSD and smoke in the cockpit or
cabin.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection of the Master Magnetic Chip Detector (MCD) or the No. 1, 2,
3 Bearing Chamber MCD
(f) For engines that have a No. 3 bearing, part number (P/N)
2A1165, installed, do the following:
(1) Within 125 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD, inspect the master MCD and the No. 1, 2, 3 bearing
chamber MCD.
(2) Thereafter, within 125 hours time-since-last inspection,
inspect the master MCD and the No. 1, 2, 3 bearing chamber MCD.
(3) If you find bearing material on the master MCD or No. 1, 2,
3 bearing chamber MCD, replace the engine before further flight.
Replacement of No. 3 Bearing
(g) For engines that have a SN from V10600 through V11250
inclusive with No. 3 bearing, P/N 2A1165, installed, replace the No.
3 bearing at the next shop visit for any reason.
(h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any No.
3 bearing, P/N 2A1165, removed in paragraph (g) of this AD, into any
engine.
Replacement or Rework of High-Pressure Compressor (HPC) Stubshaft
(i) For engines that have a SN from V10600 through V11250
inclusive, replace the HPC stubshaft with an HPC stubshaft that has
a high-energy plasma coating or rework the HPC stubshaft to a high-
energy plasma coating at the next shop visit for any reason.
Terminating Action
(j) Performing the requirements specified in paragraphs (g) and
(i) of this AD is terminating action to the repetitive MCD
inspections specified in paragraph (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(k) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) None.
Related Information
(m) You can find information on inspecting the master MCD and
the No. 1, 2, 3 bearing chamber MCD in section 79-00-00-601 of the
Aircraft Maintenance Manual. You can find information on replacing
the No. 3 bearing and replacing or recoating the HPC stubshaft in
IAE Service Bulletin No. V2500-ENG-72-0459, dated June 27, 2003.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 11, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23674 Filed 9-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P