Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Engines, 80155-80157 [2024-22600]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 191 / Wednesday, October 2, 2024 / Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2024–2325; Project
Identifier AD–2024–00412–E]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; CFM
International, S.A. Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain CFM International, S.A. (CFM)
Model LEAP–1A and LEAP–1C engines.
This proposed AD was prompted by an
investigation of an in-flight shut down
event that determined the aft arm of the
high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor
interstage seal had failed. This proposed
AD would require removal from service
and replacement of the HPT rotor
interstage seal for LEAP–1A engines.
Since the HPT rotor interstage seal part
number is interchangeable between
LEAP–1A and LEAP–1C, this proposed
AD will also prohibit installation of
these affected parts onto any LEAP–1A
or LEAP–1C engine. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by November 18,
2024.
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
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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2024–2325; 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 NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is
listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:17 Oct 01, 2024
Jkt 262001
• For CFM material identified in this
proposed AD, contact CFM, GE Aviation
Fleet Support, 1 Neumann Way, M/D
Room 285, Cincinnati, OH 45215;
phone: (877) 432–3272; email:
aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com.
• You may view this material at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–
5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mehdi Lamnyi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781)
238–7743; email: mehdi.lamnyi@
faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include
‘‘Docket No. FAA–2024–2325; Project
Identifier AD–2024–00412–E’’ at the
beginning of your comments. The most
helpful comments reference a specific
portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change,
and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may revise this
proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal
information you provide. The agency
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received
about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
80155
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Mehdi Lamnyi,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA
98198. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
On May 19, 2022, an Airbus Model
A320neo airplane powered by CFM
Model LEAP–1A26 engines experienced
an in-flight shutdown. Ground
inspection following the event found
that several low-pressure turbine blades
had broken and metal had entered the
exhaust. A manufacturer investigation
later determined that the aft arm of the
HPT rotor interstage seal had failed due
to a non-conforming surface condition
in the fillet area coupled with higherthan-expected operating stress due to
friction. Three additional engines have
been reported with shop finds or failure
of the aft arm of the HPT rotor interstage
seal. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in failure of one or more
engines, loss of thrust control, and loss
of the airplane.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Material Incorporated by Reference
Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed the following CFM
material:
• CFM Service Bulletin (SB) LEAP–
1A–72–00–0525–01A–930A–D, Issue
002–00, dated June 28, 2024, which
provides the serial numbers (S/Ns) of
the affected HPT rotor interstage seals
for LEAP–1A engines.
• CFM SB LEAP–1C–72–00–0124–
01A–930A–D, Issue 001, dated
September 5, 2024, which provides the
S/Ns of the affected HPT rotor interstage
seals that are excluded from installation
onto LEAP–1C engines.
This material also includes
instructions for removal and installation
of the HPT rotor interstage seal. This
material 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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
removal from service and replacement
of the HPT rotor interstage seal.
E:\FR\FM\02OCP1.SGM
02OCP1
80156
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 191 / Wednesday, October 2, 2024 / Proposed Rules
Costs of Compliance
engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 56
The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Replace HPT rotor interstage seal ..............
12 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,020 .....
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.
The FAA is 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.
(2) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
$195,000
$196,020
Cost on U.S.
operators
$10,977,120
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following CFM
International, S.A. (CFM) engines:
(1) Model LEAP–1A23, LEAP–1A24,
LEAP–1A24E1, LEAP–1A26, LEAP–1A26CJ,
LEAP–1A26E1, LEAP–1A29, LEAP–1A29CJ,
LEAP–1A30, LEAP–1A32, LEAP–1A33,
LEAP–1A33B2, and LEAP–1A35A engines.
(2) Model LEAP–1C28, LEAP–1C30, and
LEAP–1C30B1 engines.
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 7250, Turbine Section.
The Proposed Amendment
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an investigation
of an in-flight shut down event that
determined the aft arm of the high-pressure
turbine (HPT) rotor interstage seal had failed.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure
of the HPT rotor interstage seal. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in
failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust
control, and loss of the airplane.
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
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
Cost per
product
Parts cost
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
■
CFM International, S.A.: Docket No. FAA–
2024–2325; Project Identifier AD–2024–
00412–E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by November
18, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For LEAP–1A engines having an HPT
rotor interstage seal installed with a part
number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) listed
in Table 1 of CFM Service Bulletin (SB)
LEAP–1A–72–00–0525–01A–930A–D, Issue
002–00, dated June 28, 2024 (CFM SB LEAP–
1A–72–00–0525–01A–930A–D Issue 002–00),
at the next engine shop visit or before
exceeding the applicable cyclic threshold in
Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD,
whichever occurs first after the effective date
of this AD, remove the affected HPT rotor
interstage seal from service and replace with
a part eligible for installation.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (g)(1)—REMOVAL THRESHOLDS FOR EACH ENGINE MODEL
Engine model
Removal cyclic threshold
LEAP–1A23, LEAP–1A24, LEAP–1A24E1, LEAP–1A26, LEAP–1A26E1, LEAP–1A29,
LEAP–1A30, LEAP–1A32, LEAP–1A33, LEAP–1A33B2, and LEAP–1A35A.
LEAP–1A26CJ and LEAP–1A29CJ .................................................................................
11,100 cycles since new (CSN) accumulated on the affected part.
9,700 CSN accumulated on the affected part.
(2) For LEAP–1A engines having an HPT
rotor interstage seal installed with a P/N and
S/N listed in Table 2 of CFM SB LEAP–1A–
72–00–0525–01A–930A–D Issue 002–00, at
the next piece part exposure or before
exceeding the applicable cyclic threshold in
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:17 Oct 01, 2024
Jkt 262001
Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD,
whichever occurs first after the effective date
of this AD, remove the affected HPT rotor
interstage seal from service and replace with
a part eligible for installation.
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Sfmt 4702
(h) Installation Prohibition
(1) After the effective date of this AD, do
not install an HPT rotor interstage seal
having a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 or
Table 2 of CFM SB LEAP–1A–72–00–0525–
E:\FR\FM\02OCP1.SGM
02OCP1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 191 / Wednesday, October 2, 2024 / Proposed Rules
01A–930A–D Issue 002–00, in any LEAP–1A
engine.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do
not install an HPT rotor interstage seal
having a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 of
CFM SB LEAP–1C–72–00–0124–01A–930A–
D, Issue 001, dated September 5, 2024, in any
LEAP–1C engine.
(i) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD:
(1) ‘‘LEAP–1A engines’’ are CFM Model
LEAP–1A23, LEAP–1A24, LEAP–1A24E1,
LEAP–1A26, LEAP–1A26CJ, LEAP–1A26E1,
LEAP–1A29, LEAP–1A29CJ, LEAP–1A30,
LEAP–1A32, LEAP–1A33, LEAP–1A33B2,
LEAP–1A35A engines.
(2) ‘‘LEAP–1C engines’’ are CFM Model
LEAP–1C28, LEAP–1C30, and LEAP–1C30B1
engines.
(3) A ‘‘part eligible for installation’’ is any
HPT rotor interstage seal having a P/N and
S/N that is not listed in Table 1 or Table 2
of CFM SB LEAP–1A–72–00–0525–01A–
930A–D Issue 002–00.
(4) An ‘‘engine shop visit’’ is the induction
of an engine into the shop for maintenance
involving the separation of major mating
engine flanges, except for the separation of
engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation without subsequent engine
maintenance.
(5) A ‘‘piece-part exposure’’ is when the
HPT rotor interstage seal is separated from
the HPT rotor assembly.
Issued on September 27, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate
Management Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–22600 Filed 10–1–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
[Docket No. FAA–2024–2268; Airspace
Docket No. 24–AAL–95]
(1) The Manager, AIR–520 Continued
Operational Safety 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 AIR–520 Continued
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in
paragraph (k)(1) of this AD and email to:
AMOC@faa.gov.
(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.
RIN 2120–AA66
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Mehdi Lamnyi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238–7743;
email: mehdi.lamnyi@faa.gov.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
(ii) CFM Service Bulletin LEAP–1C–72–
00–0124–01A–930A–D, Issue 001, dated
September 5, 2024.
(3) For CFM material identified in this AD,
contact CFM, GE Aviation Fleet Support, 1
Neumann Way, M/D Room 285, Cincinnati,
OH 45215; phone: (877) 432–3272; email:
aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222–5110.
(5) You may view this material at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as
applicable to do the actions required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) CFM International, S.A. (CFM) Service
Bulletin LEAP–1A–72–00–0525–01A–930A–
D, Issue 002–00, dated June 28, 2024.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:17 Oct 01, 2024
Jkt 262001
Revocation of Alaskan Very High
Frequency Omnidirectional Range
Federal Airway V–447 and Jet Route J–
155 and Amendment of Jet Route J–
115 in Alaska
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
This action proposes to
revoke Alaskan Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal
Airway V–447 and Jet Route J–155 and
amend Jet Route J–115 in Alaska. These
proposed actions are due to the
decommissioning of the Chandalar Lake
Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) in
Alaska.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before November 18, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
by FAA Docket No. FAA–2024–2268
and Airspace Docket No. 24–AAL–95
using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov and follow the
online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket
Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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80157
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC
20590–0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take
comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12–140 of the West Building
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket
Operations at (202) 493–2251.
Docket: Background documents or
comments received may be read at
www.regulations.gov at any time.
Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket
Operations in Room W12–140 of the
West Building Ground Floor at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, and
subsequent amendments can be viewed
online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/
publications/. You may also contact the
Rules and Regulations Group, Office of
Policy, Federal Aviation
Administration, 600 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597;
telephone: (202) 267–8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Roff, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal
Aviation Administration, 600
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267–8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA’s authority to issue rules
regarding aviation safety is found in
Title 49 of the United States Code.
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. This rulemaking is
promulgated under the authority
described in Subtitle VII, Part A,
Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that
section, the FAA is charged with
prescribing regulations to assign the use
of the airspace necessary to ensure the
safety of aircraft and the efficient use of
airspace. This regulation is within the
scope of that authority as it would
modify the airway structure as
necessary to preserve the safe and
efficient flow of air traffic within the
National Airspace System.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to
participate in this rulemaking by
submitting written comments, data, or
E:\FR\FM\02OCP1.SGM
02OCP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80155-80157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22600]
[[Page 80155]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2325; Project Identifier AD-2024-00412-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain CFM International, S.A. (CFM) Model LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an investigation of an in-
flight shut down event that determined the aft arm of the high-pressure
turbine (HPT) rotor interstage seal had failed. This proposed AD would
require removal from service and replacement of the HPT rotor
interstage seal for LEAP-1A engines. Since the HPT rotor interstage
seal part number is interchangeable between LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C, this
proposed AD will also prohibit installation of these affected parts
onto any LEAP-1A or LEAP-1C engine. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November
18, 2024.
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 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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2325; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For CFM material identified in this proposed AD, contact
CFM, GE Aviation Fleet Support, 1 Neumann Way, M/D Room 285,
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (877) 432-3272; email:
[email protected].
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mehdi Lamnyi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(781) 238-7743; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2325;
Project Identifier AD-2024-00412-E'' at the beginning of your comments.
The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may revise this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Mehdi
Lamnyi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
On May 19, 2022, an Airbus Model A320neo airplane powered by CFM
Model LEAP-1A26 engines experienced an in-flight shutdown. Ground
inspection following the event found that several low-pressure turbine
blades had broken and metal had entered the exhaust. A manufacturer
investigation later determined that the aft arm of the HPT rotor
interstage seal had failed due to a non-conforming surface condition in
the fillet area coupled with higher-than-expected operating stress due
to friction. Three additional engines have been reported with shop
finds or failure of the aft arm of the HPT rotor interstage seal. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more
engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed the following CFM material:
CFM Service Bulletin (SB) LEAP-1A-72-00-0525-01A-930A-D,
Issue 002-00, dated June 28, 2024, which provides the serial numbers
(S/Ns) of the affected HPT rotor interstage seals for LEAP-1A engines.
CFM SB LEAP-1C-72-00-0124-01A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated
September 5, 2024, which provides the S/Ns of the affected HPT rotor
interstage seals that are excluded from installation onto LEAP-1C
engines.
This material also includes instructions for removal and
installation of the HPT rotor interstage seal. This material 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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require removal from service and replacement
of the HPT rotor interstage seal.
[[Page 80156]]
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 56 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT rotor interstage seal... 12 work-hours x $85 per $195,000 $196,020 $10,977,120
hour = $1,020.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
CFM International, S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2024-2325; Project
Identifier AD-2024-00412-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 18, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following CFM International, S.A. (CFM)
engines:
(1) Model LEAP-1A23, LEAP-1A24, LEAP-1A24E1, LEAP-1A26, LEAP-
1A26CJ, LEAP-1A26E1, LEAP-1A29, LEAP-1A29CJ, LEAP-1A30, LEAP-1A32,
LEAP-1A33, LEAP-1A33B2, and LEAP-1A35A engines.
(2) Model LEAP-1C28, LEAP-1C30, and LEAP-1C30B1 engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an investigation of an in-flight shut
down event that determined the aft arm of the high-pressure turbine
(HPT) rotor interstage seal had failed. The FAA is issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the HPT rotor interstage seal. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more
engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For LEAP-1A engines having an HPT rotor interstage seal
installed with a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) listed in
Table 1 of CFM Service Bulletin (SB) LEAP-1A-72-00-0525-01A-930A-D,
Issue 002-00, dated June 28, 2024 (CFM SB LEAP-1A-72-00-0525-01A-
930A-D Issue 002-00), at the next engine shop visit or before
exceeding the applicable cyclic threshold in Table 1 to paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD, whichever occurs first after the effective date
of this AD, remove the affected HPT rotor interstage seal from
service and replace with a part eligible for installation.
Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)--Removal Thresholds for Each Engine Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine model Removal cyclic threshold
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEAP-1A23, LEAP-1A24, LEAP-1A24E1, LEAP- 11,100 cycles since new (CSN)
1A26, LEAP-1A26E1, LEAP-1A29, LEAP- accumulated on the affected
1A30, LEAP-1A32, LEAP-1A33, LEAP- part.
1A33B2, and LEAP-1A35A.
LEAP-1A26CJ and LEAP-1A29CJ............. 9,700 CSN accumulated on the
affected part.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) For LEAP-1A engines having an HPT rotor interstage seal
installed with a P/N and S/N listed in Table 2 of CFM SB LEAP-1A-72-
00-0525-01A-930A-D Issue 002-00, at the next piece part exposure or
before exceeding the applicable cyclic threshold in Table 1 to
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, whichever occurs first after the
effective date of this AD, remove the affected HPT rotor interstage
seal from service and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(h) Installation Prohibition
(1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an HPT
rotor interstage seal having a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 or
Table 2 of CFM SB LEAP-1A-72-00-0525-
[[Page 80157]]
01A-930A-D Issue 002-00, in any LEAP-1A engine.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an HPT
rotor interstage seal having a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 of CFM
SB LEAP-1C-72-00-0124-01A-930A-D, Issue 001, dated September 5,
2024, in any LEAP-1C engine.
(i) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD:
(1) ``LEAP-1A engines'' are CFM Model LEAP-1A23, LEAP-1A24,
LEAP-1A24E1, LEAP-1A26, LEAP-1A26CJ, LEAP-1A26E1, LEAP-1A29, LEAP-
1A29CJ, LEAP-1A30, LEAP-1A32, LEAP-1A33, LEAP-1A33B2, LEAP-1A35A
engines.
(2) ``LEAP-1C engines'' are CFM Model LEAP-1C28, LEAP-1C30, and
LEAP-1C30B1 engines.
(3) A ``part eligible for installation'' is any HPT rotor
interstage seal having a P/N and S/N that is not listed in Table 1
or Table 2 of CFM SB LEAP-1A-72-00-0525-01A-930A-D Issue 002-00.
(4) An ``engine shop visit'' is the induction of an engine into
the shop for maintenance involving the separation of major mating
engine flanges, except for the separation of engine flanges solely
for the purposes of transportation without subsequent engine
maintenance.
(5) A ``piece-part exposure'' is when the HPT rotor interstage
seal is separated from the HPT rotor assembly.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued Operational
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (k)(1) of this AD and email 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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Mehdi Lamnyi,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7743; email: [email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) CFM International, S.A. (CFM) Service Bulletin LEAP-1A-72-
00-0525-01A-930A-D, Issue 002-00, dated June 28, 2024.
(ii) CFM Service Bulletin LEAP-1C-72-00-0124-01A-930A-D, Issue
001, dated September 5, 2024.
(3) For CFM material identified in this AD, contact CFM, GE
Aviation Fleet Support, 1 Neumann Way, M/D Room 285, Cincinnati, OH
45215; phone: (877) 432-3272; email: [email protected].
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on September 27, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-22600 Filed 10-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P