[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51607-51609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25400]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2001 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 51607]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-ANE-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company GE90 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD), which is applicable to General Electric Company (GE)
GE90 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires revisions to
the Life Limits Section of the manufacturer's Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to include required enhanced inspection
of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part exposure.
This proposal would modify the airworthiness limitations section of the
manufacturer's manual and an air carrier's approved continuous
airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate additional inspection
requirements. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) study of in-
service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating
engine parts has indicated the need for mandatory inspections. The
mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating
parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could
result in uncontained failures. This proposal is prompted by additional
focused inspection procedures that have been developed by the
manufacturer. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to
prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could
result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 10, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-39-AD, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent
via the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain the
docket number in the subject line. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7178, fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted to the address specified above. All communications
received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above,
will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The
proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the
comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-ANE-39-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRM's
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-39-AD, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
Discussion
On April 14, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-08-10, Amendment 39'11696
(65 FR 21642, April 24, 2000), to require revisions to the Life Limits
Section of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
(ICA) for GE GE90 series turbofan engines to include required
inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part
exposure.
Additional Inspection Procedures
Since that AD was issued, an FAA study of in-service events
involving uncontained failures of critical rotating engine parts has
indicated the need for additional mandatory inspections. The mandatory
inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with
conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in
uncontained failures. This proposal would modify the airworthiness
limitations section of the manufacturer's manual and an air carrier's
approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate
additional inspection requirements.
Proposed Actions
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 2000-08-10 to add additional critical
life-limited parts for enhanced inspection at each piece-part
opportunity.
This proposed AD would also delete the GE90-92B model from the
applicability and add recently certified engine model, the GE 90-94B.
Reference to the GE90-92B model is removed from the AD applicability
because the manufacturer has informed the FAA that no engines of that
model were produced and has requested that the FAA remove this model
designation.
[[Page 51608]]
Economic Analysis
The FAA estimates that 31 engines installed on airplanes of US
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 172 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed new
inspections, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour for a
total approximate cost of $10320 per engine. It is further estimated
that there will be about 34 shop visits per year that result in piece-
part exposure of the additional affected components. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the additional inspections that will
be mandated by this proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$350880.
Regulatory Impact
This proposed rule does not have federalism implications, as
defined in Executive Order 13132, because it 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.
Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to
publication of this proposed rule.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 removing Amendment 39-11696 (65 FR
21642, April 24, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, to
read as follows:
General Electric Company: Docket No. 98-ANE-39-AD. Supersedes AD
2000-08-10, Amendment 39-11696.
Applicability
This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to General
Electric Company (GE) GE90-76B/ -77B/ -85B/ -90B/ -94B series
turbofan engines. These engines are installed on but not limited to
Boeing 777 series airplanes.
Note 1: This 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 (c) 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
Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless already
done.
To prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure,
which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to
the airplane, accomplish the following:
Inspections
(a) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
revise the manufacturer's Life Limits Section of the Instructions
for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), and for air carrier operations
revise the approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program, by
adding the following:
MANDATORY INSPECTIONS
(1) Perform inspections of the following parts at each piece-
part opportunity in accordance with the instructions provided in the
applicable manual provisions:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect per engine
Part nomenclature Part No. (P/N) manual chapter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For GE90 Engines:
HPCR Disk, Stage 1........ All.............. 72-31-05-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
(subtask 72-31-05-
230-051), and 72-31-
05-200-001-001 Eddy
Current Inspection
of the Bore, and 72-
31-05-200-001-001
Eddy Current
Inspection of the
Dovetail Slots.
HPCR Spool, Stage 2-6..... All.............. 72-31-06-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
(subtask 72-31-06-
230-051), and 72-31-
06-200-001-001 Eddy
Current Inspection
of the S2 Dovetail
Slots.
HPCR, Disk, Stage 7....... All.............. 72-31-07-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
(subtask 72-31-07-
230-051), and 72-31-
07-200-001-001 Eddy
Current Inspection
(subtask 72-31-07-
250-051 or 72-31-07-
230-052 or 72-31-07-
230-053.
HPCR Spool, Stage 8-10.... All.............. 72-31-08-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
and 72-31-08-800-001
Eddy Current
Inspection of the
stage 8-9 inertia
weld.
HPCR Seal, Compressor All.............. 72-31-09-200-001-001
Discharge Pressure. Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
(subtask 72-31-09-
230-051), and 72-31-
09-200-001-001 Eddy
Current Inspection
of the Boltholes.
HPCR Ring, Tube Supporter. All.............. 72-31-10-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
HPTR, Interstage Seal..... All.............. 72-53-03-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
(subtask 72-53-03-
230-053), and 72-53-
03-200-001-001 Eddy
Current Inspection
of the Bore.
Fan Disk, Stage 1......... All.............. 72-21-03-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
(subtask 72-21-03-
230-051), and 72-21-
03-200-001-001 Eddy
Current, and 72-21-
03-200-001-001
Ultrasonic
Inspection of
Dovetail Slots.
[[Page 51609]]
HPTR Disk, Stage 1........ All.............. 72-53-02-200-001-002
Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
(subtask 72-53-02-
160-051), and 72-53-
02-200-001-002 Eddy
Current Inspection
of the Bore.
HPTR Disk, Stage 2........ All.............. 72-53-04-200-001-004
Fluorescent
Penetrant Inspection
(subtask 72-53-04-
230-052), and 72-53-
04-200-001-004 Eddy
Current Inspection
of the Bore.
LPTR Cone Shaft........... All.............. 72-56-07-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
LPTR Fan Mid Shaft........ All.............. 72-58-01-200-001-001
Magnetic Particle
Inspection.
LPTR Disk, Stage 1........ All.............. 72-56-02-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
LPTR Disk, Stage 2........ All.............. 72-56-02-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
LPTR Disk, Stage 3........ All.............. 72-56-02-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
LPTR Disk, Stage 4........ All.............. 72-56-02-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
LPTR Disk, Stage 5........ All.............. 72-56-02-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
LPTR Disk, Stage 6........ All.............. 72-56-02-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
Fan Shaft, Forward........ All.............. 72-22-01-200-001-001
Fluorescent
Penetrant
Inspection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) For the purposes of these mandatory inspections, piece-part
opportunity means:
(i) The part is considered completely disassembled when
accomplished in accordance with the disassembly instructions in the
manufacturer's engine manual; and
(ii) The part has accumulated more than 100 cycles in service
since the last piece-part opportunity inspection, provided that the
part was not damaged or related to the cause for its removal from
the engine.''
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this AD, and
notwithstanding contrary provisions in section 43.16 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.16), these mandatory inspections
must be performed only in accordance with the Life Limits Section of
the manufacturer's ICA.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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 Engine Certification Office (ECO). Operators
must submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who may add comments and then send it
to the ECO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the ECO.
Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program
(e) FAA-certificated air carriers that have an approved
continuous airworthiness maintenance program in accordance with the
recordkeeping requirement of Sec. 121.369(c) of the Federal Aviation
Regulations [14 CFR 121.369(c)] of this chapter must maintain
records of the mandatory inspections that result from revising the
Life Limits Section of the ICA and the air carrier's continuous
airworthiness program. Alternatively, certificated air carriers may
establish an approved system of record retention that provides a
method for preservation and retrieval of the maintenance records
that include the inspections resulting from this AD, and include the
policy and procedures for implementing this alternate method in the
air carrier's maintenance manual required by Sec. 121.369(c) of the
Federal Aviation Regulations [14 CFR 121.369(c)]; however, the
alternate system must be accepted by the appropriate PMI and require
the maintenance records be maintained either indefinitely or until
the work is repeated. Records of the piece-part inspections are not
required under Sec. 121.380(a)(2)(vi) of the Federal Aviation
Regulations [14 CFR 121.380 (a)(2)(vi)]. All other Operators must
maintain the records of mandatory inspections required by the
applicable regulations governing their operations.
Note 3: The requirements of this AD have been met when the
engine manual changes are made and air carriers have modified their
continuous airworthiness maintenance plans to reflect the
requirements in the engine manuals.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 26, 2001.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-25400 Filed 10-9-01; 8:45 am]
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