[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 219 (Friday, November 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63398-63400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30331]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-ANE-67-AD; Amendment 39-10871; AD 98-20-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-
A1 Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-20-18 that was sent previously
to all known U.S. owners and operators of International Aero Engines
(IAE) V2500-A1 series turbofan engines by individual letters. This AD
requires, prior to further flight, removal from service of affected
high pressure turbine (HPT) disks, identified by part number and serial
number in the applicability paragraph of this AD, and replacement with
a serviceable part. This amendment is prompted by a report of an
uncontained HPT disk failure. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent an HPT disk fracture, an uncontained engine
failure, and damage to the aircraft.
[[Page 63399]]
DATES: Effective November 30, 1998, to all persons except those persons
to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 98-20-
18, issued on September 14, 1998, which contained the requirements of
this amendment.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before January 12, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-67-AD, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent
via the Internet using the following address: ``engineprop@faa.dot.gov''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain
the docket number in the subject line.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Cook, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7133, fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 14, 1998, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) issued priority letter airworthiness directive
(AD) 98-20-18, applicable to International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A1
series turbofan engines, which requires, prior to further flight,
removal from service of affected high pressure turbine (HPT) disks,
identified by part number and serial number in the applicability
paragraph of this AD, and replacement with a serviceable part. That
action was prompted by a report of an uncontained HPT disk failure on
an IAE V2500-A1 series turbofan engine installed on an Airbus A320
series aircraft. Preliminary investigation of the recovered HPT stage 1
disk fracture surface indicates that the fracture initiated from a
subsurface location in the disk bore area. The fractured part has been
returned to IAE to continue the investigation. A review of
manufacturing records has identified 6 additional HPT disks that were
produced from the same or related material lot. There exists a
possibility that these 6 disks produced from the same material lot
could be similarly affected as the failed HPT disk. Therefore, the FAA
has determined that these 6 disks must be immediately removed from
service prior to further flight. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in an HPT disk fracture, an uncontained engine failure,
and damage to the aircraft.
Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop
on other engines of the same type design, the FAA issued priority
letter AD 98-20-18 to prevent HPT disk fracture. The AD requires, prior
to further flight, removal from service of affected HPT disks,
identified by part number and serial number in the applicability
paragraph of this AD, and replacement with a serviceable part.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on September 14, 1998, to all known U.S. owners and operators of
IAE V2500-A1 series turbofan engines. These conditions still exist, and
the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to
Section 39.13 of part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
part 39) to make it effective to all persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-ANE-67-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-20-18 International Aero Engines: Amendment 39-10871. Docket 98-
ANE-67-AD.
Applicability: International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A1 series
turbofan engines, with high pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 disks,
part number (P/N) 2A1801, serial numbers (S/Ns) P100430, P100421,
P100621, and P100618; HPT stage 1 disk, P/N 2A1101, S/
[[Page 63400]]
N P100346; and HPT stage 2 disk, P/N 2A0902, S/N P100381, installed.
These engines are installed on Airbus A320 series aircraft.
Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with
paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific
proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent an HPT disk fracture, an uncontained engine failure,
and damage to the aircraft, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to further flight, remove from service and replace
with a serviceable part the following affected HPT disks:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine on
HPT disk P/N S/N which part may
be installed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stage 1....................... 2A1801..... P100430.... V0122
2A1801..... P100421.... V0134
2A1801..... P100621.... V0137
2A1801..... P100618.... V0149
2A1101..... P100346.... Removed
Stage 2....................... 2A0902..... P100381.... V0127
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(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office.
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.
(c) This amendment becomes effective November 30, 1998, to all
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by priority letter AD 98-20-18, issued September 14, 1998,
which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 4, 1998.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30331 Filed 11-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
