[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 143 (Thursday, July 25, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44899-44900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17884]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0499; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-20-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
certain General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and -115B turbofan
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple events of a leaking
variable bypass valve (VBV) actuator fuel supply tube. This proposed AD
would require replacement of this VBV actuator fuel supply tube with a
part eligible for installation. We are proposing this AD to prevent
failure of the affected fuel supply tube, fuel leakage, engine fire,
and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 23,
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, 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 Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, One Neumann Way,
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: [email protected]. 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-2013-0499;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-20-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 have received multiple reports of a leaking VBV actuator fuel
supply tube, part number (P/N) 2165M22P01, installed on GE90-110B1 and
-115B turbofan engines. One of the leaks led to an under cowl engine
fire. The vibratory excitation frequency of this VBV actuator fuel
supply tube mode shape is within the frequency range generated by the
engine during cruise. Because the tube's end weld is a high stress
concentration location, the tube can and has cracked in this area and
eventually failed due to high-cycle fatigue. This proposed AD,
therefore, requires replacement of the affected VBV
[[Page 44900]]
actuator fuel supply tube with a part eligible for installation.
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 replacement of the VBV actuator fuel
supply tube, P/N 2165M22P01, with a part eligible for installation.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 59 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would
take about eight hours per engine to replace the VBV actuator fuel
supply tube. The cost of this part is about $14,310. The average labor
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of
the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $884,410.
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.
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-2013-0499; Directorate
Identifier 2013-NE-20-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 23, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and
-115B turbofan engines with variable bypass valve (VBV) actuator
fuel supply tube, part number (P/N) 2165M22P01, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by multiple events of a leaking VBV
actuator fuel supply tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure
of the affected fuel supply tube, fuel leakage, engine fire, and
damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
(1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(2) At the next shop visit, after the effective date of this AD,
replace the VBV actuator fuel supply tube, P/N 2165M22P01, with a
part eligible for installation.
(f) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is the induction of an
engine into the shop for maintenance or overhaul. The separation of
engine flanges solely for the purposes of transporting the engine
without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine
shop visit.
(g) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install a VBV
actuator fuel supply tube, P/N 2165M22P01, onto any engine.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Jason Yang,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, One Neumann Way,
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: [email protected].
(3) 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 July 17, 2013.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Directorate Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17884 Filed 7-24-13; 8:45 am]
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