2025-04-13: Turbine Engine Compressor Section

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-04-13 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-22971; Docket No. FAA-2024-2026; Project Identifier AD-2024-00163-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 8, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) Model PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1521G-3, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, PW1525G-3, PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A engines with an installed high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage axial rotor having part number (P/N) 30G5307. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by an analysis of an event involving an International Aero Engines, LLC Model PW1127GA-JM engine, which experienced an HPC 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor separation that resulted in an aborted takeoff. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC 7th-stage axial rotor. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained HPC 7th-stage axial rotor failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) At the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at each piece-part exposure, except as required by paragraph (g)(2) and (4) of this AD, perform an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of the affected HPC 7th-stage axial rotor for cracks in accordance with paragraphs (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as applicable. (i) For Model PW1500G engines: Step 7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of PW Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW1000G-A-72-00-0210-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated May 22, 2024 (PW1000G-A-72-00-0210-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 002), or step 5.B of the Accomplishment Instructions of PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0211-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated August 1, 2024. (ii) For Model PW1900G engines: Step 7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0157-00B-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated May 22, 2024 (PW1000G-A-72-00-0157-00B-930A-D, Issue No: 002), or step 5.B of the Accomplishment Instructions of PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0158-00B-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated August 1, 2024. (2) For engines with an installed HPC 7th-stage axial rotor with a serial number listed in Table 1 of PW1000G-A-72-00-0210-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 002, or Table 1 of PW1000G-A-72-00-0157-00B-930A-D, Issue No: 002, that have not had an AUSI performed prior to the effective date of this AD, at the next HPC engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, not to exceed 10,000 part cycles since new, or within 100 flight cycles (FCs) after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at each piece-part exposure: perform an AUSI of the HPC 7th-stage axial rotor for cracks in accordance with paragraphs (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as applicable. (3) If any crack indication is found during any inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, before further flight, remove the HPC 7th-stage axial rotor from service and replace with a part eligible for installation. (4) If an HPC 7th-stage axial rotor has accumulated 100 FCs or less since the last AUSI, reinspection is not required until the next shop visit provided that the part was not damaged during removal from the engine. (h) Definitions For the purpose of this AD: (1) "Model PW1500G" engines are PW Model PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1521G-3, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, and PW1525G-3 engines. (2) "Model PW1900G" engines are PW Model PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A engines. (3) A "part eligible for installation" is any of the following: (i) An HPC 7th-stage axial rotor, P/N 30G5307, that has passed the AUSI required by paragraphs (g)(1) or (2) of this AD. (ii) An HPC 7th-stage axial rotor, P/N 30G5307, that has a Certificate of Conformance that shows compliance with NDIP-1281. (iii) An HPC 7th-stage axial rotor that has a later approved P/N. (iv) A new zero-time HPC 7th-stage axial rotor, P/N 30G5307, that has passed an AUSI at new part production. Note 1 to paragraph (h)(3)(iv): Parts that have been inspected at new part production are identified in the original manufacturing record for the part and may be obtained using PW's Vital Statistics Logbook look up tool. (4) A "piece-part exposure" is when the HPC 7th-stage axial rotor is disassembled from the rotor assembly. (5) An "HPC engine shop visit" is when the HPC rotor assembly is removed from the HPC module. (i) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for the initial AUSI required by paragraphs (g)(2) of this AD, if those actions were done before the effective date of this AD using any of the following: (1) PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0157-00B-930A-D, Issue No: 001, dated February 15, 2024. (2) PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0158-00B-930A-D, Issue No: 001, dated February 19, 2024. (3) PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0210-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 001, dated February 15, 2024. (4) PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0211-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 001, dated February 19, 2024. (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) 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. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7655; email: carol.nguyen@faa.gov. (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) Pratt & Whitney (PW) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) PW1000G-A-72-00-0157-00B-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated May 22, 2024. (ii) PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0158-00B-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated August 1, 2024. (iii) PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0210-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated May 22, 2024. (iv) PW ASB PW1000G-A-72-00-0211-00A-930A-D, Issue No: 002, dated August 1, 2024. (3) For PW material identified in this AD, contact PW, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (860) 565-0140; email: help24@prattwhitney.com; website: connect.prattwhitney.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 . Issued on February 21, 2025. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-03441 Filed 3-3-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P