
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30138-30144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12068]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1100; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-37-AD; 
Amendment 39-18159; AD 2015-10-04]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-09-09 for 
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 required 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. This new AD expands the affected population for 
initial and repetitive USIs of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum, revises the 
inspection intervals, requires performing ECI or FPI, requires removal 
of the affected attachment nuts and any HPC stage 3 to 8 drum found 
cracked, and adds a mandatory terminating action. This AD was prompted 
by the discovery that additional attachment nuts for certain HPC stage 
3 to 8 drums are affected. 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.

DATES: This AD is effective July 1, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 1, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: 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: 
iaeinfo@iaev2500.com; 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. It is also 
available on the Internet at http://

[[Page 30139]]

www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2009-
1100

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 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: 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: martin.adler@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2012-09-09, Amendment 39-17044 (77 FR 30371, 
May 23, 2012), (``AD 2012-09-09''). AD 2012-09-09 applied to 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on December 24, 2014 (79 FR 77411). The NPRM was prompted by the 
discovery that partially silver-plated nuts for certain HPC stage 3 to 
8 drums cause the drum to corrode and crack. The NPRM proposed to 
perform ECI or FPI, and initial and repetitive USIs of certain HPC 
stage 3 to 8 drums. The NPRM also proposed to 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 add a 
mandatory terminating action. 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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (79 
FR 77411, December 24, 2014) and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Change Compliance Paragraph

    One commenter requested that paragraph (f)(3) of the NPRM (79 FR 
77411, December 24, 2014) be changed from ``If you inspect the HPC 
stage 3-8 drum at shop visit . . .'' to ``If you have previously 
inspected the HPC stage 3-8 drum at piece-part exposure as shown in the 
Grace Periods Table for each compliance group listed in paragraph 1.E. 
in IAE Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. V2500-ENG-72-
A0615, Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014.'' The justification for 
this comment is that the AD wording is not clear enough for the actual 
work performed.
    We partially agree. We agree with referring to piece-part exposure 
instead of shop visit. We disagree with referencing the service 
bulletin (SB) because the AD wording is otherwise clear in its 
reference to the Grace Periods Table for each compliance group. We 
changed paragraph (f)(3) of this final rule by changing ``at shop 
visit'' to ``at piece-part exposure.''

Request for Paragraph Clarification

    The same commenter suggested adding engine manual (EM) Task No. or 
SB reference to paragraphs (g)(2), (g)(3)(i), and (g)(3)(ii) because 
these paragraphs do not provide the specific method to perform the 
stated requirements.
    We do not agree. The SB and EM tasks for these operations are not 
mandated. Therefore, they are referenced in the Related Information 
section of the AD. We did not change the AD.

Request To Clarify Terminating Action

    Lufthansa, United Airlines (UA), and another commenter, asked that 
the AD be clarified that if the terminating actions were performed 
prior to the effective date of the AD, credit may be taken and no 
further action would be required. The commenter's justification is that 
the AD should be clear that if the parts are installed prior to 
effective date of the AD, the parts installation should be considered 
as terminating action.
    We do not agree because paragraph (e), Compliance, states to 
perform the requirements of the AD ``unless already done.'' This 
statement applies to all requirements of the AD including the 
terminating action. No additional clarification is needed. We did not 
change the AD.

Request To Change Compliance Time

    An anonymous commenter requested that repetitive inspections not 
start until after the threshold for the initial inspection has been 
reached. The justification for this request is that many unnecessary 
extra inspections would have to be performed if the initial inspection 
is performed early, and the AD requires repeat inspections to follow 
immediately.
    We agree. This final rule was changed as follows: Paragraphs (f)(1) 
and (f)(2) were changed from ``. . . of the last USI.'' to ``. . . of 
the last USI after the initial inspection required by paragraph (e) of 
this AD.''

Agreement With Proposed AD

    The Boeing Company agreed with the NPRM (79 FR 77411, December 24, 
2014) as written.

Request Change to Costs of Compliance

    Lufthansa and Wizz Air stated that the terminating action will 
result in many unplanned extra shop visits to remove parts. The cost 
analysis does not include the cost associated with these extra shop 
visits.
    We do not agree. The Costs of Compliance in the AD includes 
prorated part costs based on early removal of parts. Our cost 
calculations do not include costs associated with engine removal, down 
time, or scheduling. We did not change the AD.

Request To Include Revision and Date Information for Service 
Information

    Lufthansa and IAE requested that service information include 
revision and date information. They suggested that the service 
information does not list the latest revision information or, in some 
cases, any revision information at all.
    We partially agree. We agree that the SB references should reflect 
the latest revision. We disagree with adding the revision and/or date 
to all instances of SBs referenced in the Related Information paragraph 
because the revision date is listed on the first instance of each SB 
referenced in the paragraph. We changed the Related Information 
paragraph by changing the date of IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0625 to 
October 8, 2014.

Request To Change Applicability

    Lufthansa stated that the compliance categories (applicability) are 
based on engine serial number. The commenter suggested defining the 
categories based on drum serial number rather than engine serial number 
because the inspection times and intervals should be based on the drum 
history. The correct

[[Page 30140]]

inspection times and intervals may not be utilized for the affected 
drums if a drum moves from one engine to another.
    We do not agree. We evaluated use of drum serial numbers versus 
engine serial numbers and chose engine serial numbers based on the 
increased complexity associated with tracking drum serial numbers. It 
was also noted that it is more likely that an engine, as opposed to an 
individual used drum, would be moved. The engine groups in the AD 
reflect the unsafe condition as it exists today. If the engine 
distributions change significantly in the future, we would consider 
additional rulemaking. We did not change the AD.

Request To Change Service Information

    Rolls Royce plc proposed that revision 6 of IAE Alert NMSB No. 
V2500-ENG-72-0615 be quoted in the AD, and that all references to it, 
including engine groups affected, be aligned to this latest revision. 
The justification for this request is that the current AD references 
IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0615, Revision 3. This NMSB is now at 
revision 6.
    We do not agree because the AD already references Revision 6 of IAE 
Alert NMSB No.V2500-ENG-72-A0615. We did not change the AD.

Request Clarification of Material Incorporated by Reference

    UA and Delta Airlines requested clarification of whether IAE NMSB 
No. V2500-ENG-72-0638 is considered incorporated by reference. This AD 
will incorporate by reference IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG 72-0615, 
Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014, which refers to IAE NMSB No. 
V2500-ENG-72-0638 for instructions on performing the USI. IAE NMSB No. 
V2500-ENG-72-0638 contains instructions and procedures that do not 
affect failure mode detection, prevention or elimination of the unsafe 
condition identified in the NPRM (79 FR 77411, December 24, 2014) and 
should not be mandated by the AD.
    We agree that IAE Alert NMSB No.V2500-ENG-72-0638 should not be 
incorporated by reference. We changed the AD to remove the requirement 
to use IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0638. We also added a new paragraph 
(g) to this AD that provides specific information from IAE NMSB No. 
V2500-ENG-72-0638 to perform the USI.

Request Change to Relevant Service Information

    UA and Delta Airlines requested that IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0638 
be added to the Relevant Service Information paragraph.
    We partially agree. We do not agree with adding IAE NMSB No. V2500-
ENG-72-0638 to the Relevant Service Information paragraph because that 
paragraph is not in the final rule. We agree that the service 
information should be included in the AD, elsewhere. We added IAE NMSB 
No. V2500-ENG-72-0638 to the Related Information paragraph.

Request Clarification of Compliance Time

    UA and LATAM Airlines requested clarification on the difference 
between the AD and SB terminating actions for compliance time to 
incorporate terminating action. The AD requires accomplishment within 
9,450 cycles after the effective date of the AD, while the SB requires 
accomplishment by December 31, 2021. The commenter said shop visits 
were planned based on the end date in the SB. The AD limit of 9,450 
cycles will force engines off wing earlier than planned.
    We do not agree. The cycle limit in the AD represents fleet average 
utilization up to the SB `accomplish by' date. We did not change the 
AD.

Request Clarification for Terminating Action

    UA requested clarification that inspections are not required after 
the terminating action has been performed. UA suggested that this 
clarification was required because the SB Grace Periods Tables include 
timing for any drum fitted with non-silver nuts. It is not explicit 
that the table does not apply to a new drum with non-silver nuts.
    We do not agree. Terminating action means that no further action is 
required. Therefore, the AD does not require any additional inspections 
after the terminating action has been accomplished. We did not change 
the AD.

Request Deletion of Service Information

    UA identified that IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0638, Part B paragraph 
(3)Y.(3) states that an engine be rejected if staining and/or cracking 
of the ceramic liner is found. This requirement should not be mandated 
because this concern was addressed in AD 2012-09-09 which was 
superseded. The FAA agreed that there was not clear acceptance criteria 
to mandate engine rejection based on staining and axial cracking of the 
HPC stage 7 to 8 drum ceramic liner.
    We agree. We changed this final rule by deleting reference to IAE 
NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0638 in paragraph (e) of this AD.

Request To Include a Ferry Flight

    UA requested that the AD be changed to allow a one-cycle ferry 
flight. No justification was given.
    We do not agree. Per 14 CFR 39.23, an AD only addresses ferry 
flights if they are prohibited. We did not prohibit ferry flights in 
this AD. We did not change the AD.

Request Clarification of Compliance Time

    UA commented that some grace periods in AD 2012-09-09 are different 
from the NPRM (79 FR 77411, December 24, 2014). UA requested 
clarification that the older compliance times in AD 2012-09-09 are no 
longer applicable or available and let ``Credit for Previous Actions'' 
allow the longer compliance times of the NPRM. The clarification was 
requested since, for compliance intervals that have been shortened, the 
commenter can see no way to address those engines, particularly if the 
engine has already exceeded the shortened interval. For intervals that 
have been extended, inspection intervals can easily be extended to 
agree.
    We do not agree. AD 2012-09-09 is being superseded by this AD; 
therefore, the previous compliance times are inapplicable after the 
effective date of this AD. This final rule allows 200 cycles after the 
effective date of the AD to perform the initial USI if the cycles since 
new threshold has been passed. If the cyclic interval allowed by this 
AD for the next USI based on the last part inspection has been 
surpassed, then the initial inspection requirements would apply. This 
means you must inspect within 200 cycles after the effective date of 
this AD. We did not change the AD.

Request To Change Service Information

    UA stated that the USI procedures, as defined in IAE NMSB No. 
V2500-ENG-72-0638, which lift the probe off the surface of the drum, 
should not be mandated. The USI procedures, in IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-
72-0638, use a ``clamp'' added to the USI probe to lift the probe off 
of the drum. This procedure relies on couplant to fill the gaps to the 
drum and any missing drum coatings. UA is not confident that accurate 
measurements can be consistently achieved using this procedure, 
especially in areas that have been repaired.
    We partially agree. We agree that the USI procedures in IAE NMSB 
No. V2500-ENG-72-0638, and those referenced in superseded AD 2012-09-
09, are valid methods of inspection. We

[[Page 30141]]

disagree that the procedure in IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0638 would not 
provide accurate measurements. We changed this AD by removing IAE NMSB 
No. V2500-ENG-72-0638 and adding a paragraph that provides specific 
information to perform the USI.

Request To Change Service Information

    Jetstar Group Airways requested that allowance for future SB 
revisions be included in the AD.
    We do not agree. We cannot mandate documents which do not yet 
exist. We did not change the AD.

Request To Change the Applicability

    Jetstar Group Airways requested that the applicability for V2500-A5 
engines be revised to exclude Engine Serial Number (ESN) V16660 and 
higher as the introduction of the terminating action configuration 
began with ESN V16660 based on the applicability of IAE SB V2500-ENG-
72-0632 that introduced silver free nuts.
    We do not agree. The AD applicability is correct. The applicability 
defined in IAE SB V2500-ENG-72-0632 does not reflect actual part 
installations. We did not change the AD.

Request To Allow Repetitive Inspections

    Lufthansa, Jetstar Group Airways, Wizz Air, and MTU Maintenance 
(MTU) requested to remove ``within 9,450 cycles after the effective 
date of the AD'' for terminating action and allow unlimited USI. The 
commenters pointed out that the unsafe condition results from a 
corrosive operating environment, and the amount of corrosion varies 
with time and location. The commenters also pointed to the lack of data 
to support a calendar end date of 2021, and that the hard time for part 
removals will drive younger parts off wing early, with no additional 
benefits to safety. Finally, the commenters offered that if the USI and 
the ECI provide sufficient safety against an uncontained failure, this 
should also be the case after 9,450 flight cycles (FC). Additionally, 
the overall risk in the fleet will decrease due to the number of 
planned shop visits.
    We do not agree. The ongoing repetitive inspections do not provide 
sufficient safety by themselves and are considered interim actions. The 
previous ADs did not include an end date because no terminating action 
was available. This AD includes mandatory terminating action that 
completely removes the noted unsafe condition and restores an 
acceptable level of safety. We did not change the AD.

Request To Change Terminating Action

    Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and Delta Airlines requested the compliance 
time for terminating action be changed from ``9,450 FC after the 
effective date of the AD'' to ``at next piece-part exposure.'' This 
will eliminate extra shop visits solely for drum replacement.
    We do not agree. This change would significantly increase the need 
for spare parts in the near term, which cannot be supported by industry 
at this time. We did not change the AD.

Request To Change Compliance

    IAE requested that the Compliance phrase ``If cracks are found . . 
.'' be changed to ``if crack indications or inspection rejections are 
found . . .''. The reason for this request is that FPI, USI, and ECI 
only indicate a crack may be present. Cracks typically can only be 
confirmed via lab destructive testing.
    We do not agree. If a part fails the inspection it is assumed to be 
cracked. No additional testing is requested or required to prove a 
crack exists. We did not change the AD.

Request To Change Compliance

    IAE and MTU requested that ``cycles since new'' (CSN) refer to 
cycles on the specific drum and not engine cycles since new. If drums 
are replaced, there could be confusion on when a part must be 
inspected.
    We agree. We changed paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(5) from ``within 
200 cycles of accumulating xxxx CSN'' to ``within 200 cycles of the 
drum accumulating xxxx cycles.''

Request To Change Compliance Time

    IAE and MTU requested an end date of December 31, 2025 be added to 
the compliance time in addition to the existing cycle limit. This 
request was justified because low utilization operators will not be 
required to upgrade their engines until well beyond 2040 with only the 
cycle limit. IAE is concerned that after the larger operators have 
completed the upgrades to their fleets, the expertise and equipment 
required to perform the required inspections will no longer be 
available.
    We agree. We changed the Mandatory Terminating Action paragraph to 
include an end date of December 31, 2025.

Request Change To Credit for Previous Actions Paragraph

    IAE requested that IAE NMSBs No. V2500-ENG-72-0594, No. V2500-ENG-
72-0603, No. V2500-ENG-72-0608, Revision 2 and earlier, and No.V2500-
ENG-72-0615, Revision 2 and earlier, be removed from the ``Credit for 
Previous Actions'' paragraph because these SB revisions do not require 
complete inspection of the drum circumference in areas of liner loss. 
Incomplete inspections are not effective at detecting cracks and 
compromises safety.
    We agree. We removed IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0594, IAE NMSB No. 
V2500-ENG-72-0603, IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0608, Revision 2 and 
earlier, and IAE NMSB No.V2500-ENG-72-A0615, Revision 2 and earlier, 
from the Credit for Previous Actions paragraph.

Request To Simplify Compliance

    Delta Airlines commented that the compliance plan as proposed in 
the NPRM (79 FR 77411, December 24, 2014), is too complicated. Delta 
said that it requires: (1) Knowledge of where the HPC 3-8 drum(s) have 
operated by flight number for the V2500-A1 and V2500-A5 engine models; 
(2) tracking the inspections performed at shop level for the HPC 3-8 
drum(s); (3) tracking the HPC module assembly for the 3-8 drum(s) 
installed and the configuration at the last shop visit of the HPC 
module; and (4) operators to trace documents of HPC 3-8 drum(s) that 
exchanged between HPC modules and from other operators. Without those 
trace documents, operators will be forced to obtain new HPC 3-8 drum(s) 
to prevent recontamination of their respective fleets.
    We do not agree. The changes we proposed in this AD, expanding the 
population, changing the inspection interval, etc., are not complex 
changes to the compliance program. We also evaluated the original 
compliance program requirements. We did not conclude that they were so 
complex that operators would find them difficult to understand, 
particularly since the information needed to comply with the AD is 
available in operator records. We did not change the AD.

Request Clarification of Service Information

    Delta Airlines stated that IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615, 
Revision 6, has lists of engine models and drum part numbers. The SB 
lists drum part numbers as associated with the V2500-D5 engine that are 
not approved for installation on the V2500-D5 engine. The SB could be 
misinterpreted as allowing use of part numbers on the V2500-D5 engine 
model that have not actually been approved for use.
    We do not agree. The SB separates engine applicability into six 
groups. The drum part numbers listed for each group

[[Page 30142]]

represent the possible drum part numbers for all the noted engine 
models listed in the group. These groupings do not otherwise indicate 
that part numbers are interchangeable among the engine models. The 
groups that include V2500-D5 (Group E and group F) also include other 
engine models. We did not change the AD.

Request Clarification of Mandatory Terminating Action Paragraph

    Lufthansa requested clarification of the Mandatory Terminating 
Action paragraph. The commenter stated that the paragraph directing the 
installation of HPC stage 3 to 8 drum is not clear if the mandatory 
terminating action is meant to be a hard-time limit which requires 
removal of drums from service by means of a shop visit. The commenter 
suggested that the terminating action for drum replacement may be 
substituted by an on-wing USI. On-wing USI could occur after 9,450 FC 
from the effective date of this AD until the engine has a shop visit.
    We do not agree. The mandatory terminating action has a hard-time 
limit of 9,450 FC after the effective date of this AD. The terminating 
actions must be performed within this time. The AD does not give 
allowance to perform inspections in place of performing the terminating 
actions. We did not change the AD.

Request To Revise Mandatory Terminating Action

    MTU requested that the mandatory terminating action be delayed 
based on the appropriate inspection grace period listed in the service 
information. The grace period extension would eliminate extra shop 
visits for only drum replacement.
    We do not agree. The cyclic intervals listed in the service 
information, based on piece-part inspection, apply to the threshold for 
performing the next USI. The compliance time for completing the 
terminating actions is not related to when or what inspections were 
performed. We did not change the AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously. We have determined that 
these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 77411, December 24, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 77411, December 24, 2014).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    International Aero Engines Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615, 
Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014. The NMSB describes procedures for 
inspecting the engine front support pins. 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 of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 956 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate that it will 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 will cost about 
$2,600 per engine and a set of silver free nuts will 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 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 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 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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2012-09-09, Amendment 39-17044 (77 FR 30371, May 23, 2012), and adding 
the following new AD:

2015-10-04 International Aero Engines AG: Amendment 39-18159 Docket 
No. FAA-2009-1100; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-37-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 1, 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.

[[Page 30143]]

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery that additional attachment 
nuts for certain high-pressure compressor (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. You may use the inspections listed in paragraph 
(h)(3) of this AD instead of an ultrasonic inspection (USI) for the 
initial inspection required by paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(5). 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 Non-Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (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 the drum accumulating 8,000 cycles 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 the drum accumulating 
6,250 cycles 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 the drum accumulating 
3,750 cycles 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 6, dated 
September 4, 2014, perform an initial USI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 
drum within 200 cycles of the drum accumulating 12,500 cycles 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 the drum accumulating 9,000 cycles 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 after the initial inspection 
required by paragraph (e) of this AD.
    (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 after the initial inspection 
required by paragraph (e) of this AD.
    (3) If you inspect the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum at piece-part 
exposure, 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) USI Procedure for the Inspection of the HPC Stage 3 to 8 Drum

    For the USI inspections required by this AD, do the following. 
Inspect the stage 8 disk of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum on the outer 
diameter adjacent to the stage 7 to 8 electron beam weld land using 
ultrasonic probe manipulator assembly P/N IAE2R19865 for IAE V2500-
A1 engines, P/N IAE2R19852 or IAE2R19879 for IAE V2500-A5 engines, 
and P/N IAE2R19874 for IAE V2500-D5 engines. Inspect the stage 8 
disk of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum on the inner diameter at the inner 
radius position using ultrasonic probe manipulator assembly P/N 
IAE2R19870 for IAE V2500-A1 engines, P/N IAE2R19859 or IAE2R19880 
for IAE V2500-A5 engines, and P/N IAE2R19876 for IAE V2500-D5 
engines. Inspect the full circumference of both the inner and outer 
diameters. If the entire circumference cannot be inspected, remove 
the drum from the engine before further flight.
    (1) Calibrate the ultrasonic equipment using the following 
parameters and the acceptance criteria listed in paragraph 
3.A.(1)(a) of IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615, Revision 6, 
dated September 4, 2014. Use working standard P/N IAE2R19854 for 
outer diameter inspection and working standard P/N IAE2R19860 for 
inner diameter inspection:
    (i) Set Frequency to 5 Mhz.
    (ii) Set Rectify to Full Wave.
    (iii) Set Pulser to Single Crystal.
    (iv) Maximize the signal response to achieve 70 percent full 
screen height.
    (v) Adjust the range control to position the target signal at 
5.0 time base position based on ten division time base.
    (vi) For outer diameter inspection, set Gate Position to 3.5-7.0 
time base position based on ten division time base.
    (vii) For inner diameter inspection, set Gate Position to 3.0-
8.0 time base position based on ten division time base.
    (2) Inspect the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum using the acceptance 
criteria listed in paragraph 3.A.(1)(a) of IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-
ENG-72-A0615, Revision 6, dated September 4, 2014.
    (3) After completing the inspection of each feature, verify the 
calibration of the ultrasonic equipment. If the calibration is under 
sensitivity by more than 3db, then repeat the calibration and 
inspection of the feature.

(h) Removal of Silver-Plated Nuts

    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) Clean the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum to remove the silver 
residue.
    (3) Inspect 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.

(i) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any silver-
plated nuts, P/N AS44862 or AS64367, into any engine.

(j) Mandatory Terminating Action

    Within 9,450 cycles after the effective date of this AD, but not 
later than December 31, 2025, 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.

(k) 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.

(l) 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-72-0608, Revision 3, dated September 
20, 2011.
    (ii) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0615, Revision 3, dated September 
20, 2011; IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0615, Revision 4, dated 
May 2, 2013; and IAE Alert NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0615, Revision 5, 
dated August 5, 2014.
    (iii) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0638, dated April 11, 2013.

[[Page 30144]]

(m) 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: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(n) 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: 
martin.adler@faa.gov.
    (2) IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0638, dated April 11, 2013; IAE 
NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0637, dated May 2, 2013; IAE NMSB No. V2500-
ENG-72-0625, dated October 8, 2014; IAE EM Task 72-41-11-200-001; 
and IAE EM 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 (o)(3) of this AD. IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-
72-0638, dated April 11, 2013 provides guidance on performing the 
USI. IAE NMSB No. V2500-ENG-72-0637 and IAE EM 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.

(o) 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 Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin No. V2500-ENG-72-A0615, Revision 6, dated September 4, 
2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For IAE service information identified in this AD, contact 
International Aero Engines AG, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 
06118; phone: 860-368-3700; fax: 860-368-4600; email: 
iaeinfo@iaev2500.com; 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.
    (5) You may view this service information 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 April 30, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-12068 Filed 5-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


