[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21578-21580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08447]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0195; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-08-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
General Electric Company (GE) model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan
engines with booster anti-ice (BAI) air duct, part number (P/N)
2469M32G01, and support bracket, P/N 2469M46G01, installed. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the BAI air duct. This
proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual inspections of
the BAI air duct, removal from service of the BAI air duct if it fails
inspection and, as a mandatory terminating action, the installation of
new BAI air duct support brackets. We are proposing this AD to prevent
failure of the BAI air duct, resulting in an in-flight shutdown of one
or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the aircraft.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 10, 2013.
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 http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations,
[[Page 21579]]
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.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
General Electric, One Neumann Way, MD Y-75, Cincinnati, OH; phone: 513-
552-2913; email: [email protected]; and Web site: www.GE.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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax:
781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite 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-2013-0195;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-08-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We propose to adopt a new AD for all GE model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-
2B67B turbofan engines with BAI air duct, P/N 2469M32G01, and support
bracket, P/N 2469M46G01, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by 11
reports of cracks in the BAI air duct, P/N 2469M32G01, caused by
resonant vibration of the BAI valve system. Engineering analysis
determined that the single support bracket is not sufficient to prevent
the vibration and cracking in the BAI air duct, and that additional
support brackets are needed. This proposed AD would require initial
visual inspection of the BAI air duct before it reaches 400 cycles
since new (CSN), and repetitive visual inspections every 100 cycles
thereafter. If the BAI air duct fails inspection, the proposed AD would
require removal of the BAI air duct from service. As a mandatory
terminating action, the proposed AD would also require installation of
new BAI air duct support brackets at the next removal of the BAI air
duct, and replacement of the BAI air duct with a duct eligible for
installation. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure
of the BAI air duct, resulting in an in-flight shutdown of one or more
engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the aircraft.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0006, dated
July 23, 2012, and GE SB No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0008, Revision 1, dated
February 4, 2013. GE SB No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0006 describes procedures
for inspecting and, if necessary, removing and replacing the BAI air
duct. GE SB No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0008, Revision 1, describes procedures
for installing new BAI air duct support brackets, and inspection and
possible replacement of BAI air ducts.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual
inspections of the BAI air duct, replacement of the BAI air duct if it
fails inspection and, as mandatory terminating action, installation of
new BAI air duct support brackets.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 16 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 4
hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per hour. Required parts would cost about $11,000 per
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD
to U.S. operators to be $181,440.
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 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
[[Page 21580]]
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 (AD):
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0195; Directorate
Identifier 2013-NE-08-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 10, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) model GEnx-
2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan engines with booster anti-ice (BAI) air
duct, part number (P/N) 2469M32G01, and support bracket, P/N
2469M46G01, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the BAI air duct,
P/N 2469M32G01. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the BAI
air duct, resulting in an in-flight shutdown of one or more engines,
loss of thrust control, and damage to the aircraft.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(f) Inspection of BAI Air Duct
(1) Perform an initial visual inspection of the BAI air duct, P/
N 2469M32G01, for cracks prior to accumulating 400 cycles since new
(CSN).
(2) Thereafter, repeat the visual inspection within every 100
cycles since last inspection.
(3) If cracks in the BAI air duct are found during any
inspection required by this AD, remove the BAI air duct from
service.
(g) Mandatory Terminating Action
As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspection
requirement of this AD, at the next removal of BAI air duct, P/N
2469M32G01, or if the BAI air duct is found cracked, after the
effective date of this AD, do the following:
(1) Install new BAI air duct support brackets, P/Ns 2550M03G01,
2548M66G01, 2548M67P01, 2550M18G01, and 2550M17P01.
(2) Replace the BAI air duct with one that is eligible for
installation.
(h) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, a BAI air duct that is eligible for
installation is one that has accumulated 25 CSN or fewer.
(i) 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Jason Yang,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0006,
dated July 23, 2012, and GE SB No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0008, Revision 1,
dated February 4, 2013, for guidance on inspecting and, if
necessary, removing and replacing the BAI air duct, as well as
procedures for installation of new BAI air duct support brackets.
(3) For service information identified in this proposed AD,
contact General Electric, One Neumann Way, MD Y-75, Cincinnati, OH;
phone: 513-552-2913; email: [email protected]; and Web site:
www.GE.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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 4, 2013.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08447 Filed 4-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P