[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47235-47237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18794]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0475; Directorate Identifier 13-NE-18-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
[[Page 47236]]
General Electric Company (GE) model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the original equipment
manufacturer's disclosure that certain critical rotating life-limited
parts (LLPs) used in Boeing 747-8 flight tests had consumed more cyclic
life than they would have in revenue flight cycles. These parts were
then installed into engines and introduced into revenue service without
adjustment to remaining cyclic life. This proposed AD would require a
one-time adjustment to the cycle counts of those LLPs to account for
the additional low cycle fatigue (LCF) life consumed during flight
tests. We are proposing this AD to prevent the failure of critical
rotating LLPs, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 4, 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; 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-2013-0475;
Directorate Identifier 13-NE-18-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 certain GE model GEnx-2B67 and
GEnx-2B67B turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by GE's
disclosure that certain critical rotating LLPs used in Boeing 747-8
flight tests had consumed more cyclic life than they would have in
revenue flight cycles. This additional life usage was due to multiple
changes in the engine rotor speed and thermal environment that are not
performed in a typical revenue service flight. These parts were then
installed into engines and introduced into revenue service without
adjustment to remaining cyclic life. This proposed AD would require a
one-time adjustment to the cycle counts of those LLPs to account for
the additional LCF life consumed. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in the failure of critical rotating LLPs, uncontained
engine failure, and damage to the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. 72-0116, Revision 1, dated
April 23, 2013. The SB lists each affected critical rotating LLP by
part number and serial number and prescribes the exact number of cycles
to add to the cycle count for each affected LLP as a one-time
adjustment. The list is extensive.
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 these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require a one-time adjustment to the cycle
counts of certain critical rotating LLPs.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1
hour per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per hour. The prorated cost of required parts would be about
$50,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $200,340.
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
[[Page 47237]]
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-2013-0475; Directorate
Identifier 2013-NE-18-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by October 4, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to certain serial number General Electric
Company (GE) model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan engines. The
affected GEnx-2B serial numbers are: 959-102 through 959-104; 959-
107; 959-110 through 959-111; 959-113 through 959-118; 959-121; 959-
124 through 959-133; 959-159 through 959-161; 959-164; 959-176; and
959-191.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by GE's report that certain critical
rotating life-limited parts (LLPs) used in Boeing 747-8 flight tests
had consumed more cyclic life than they would have in revenue
service flights. These parts were then installed into engines and
introduced into revenue service without adjustment to remaining
cyclic life. We are issuing this AD to prevent the failure of
critical rotating LLPs, uncontained engine failure, and damage to
the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(f) Adjust the Cycle Counts of Certain Critical Rotating LLPs
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a
one-time adjustment to the cycle count of each part identified in
paragraph 4, Appendix A, of GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. 72-0116,
Revision 1, dated April 23, 2013.
(g) 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.
(h) 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 SB No. 72-0116, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2013
for related information.
(3) For service information identified in this proposed AD,
contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, One Neumann
Way, Cincinnati, OH; 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 25, 2013.
Frank P. Paskiewicz,
Acting Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18794 Filed 8-2-13; 8:45 am]
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