[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72552-72554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28293]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0475; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-18-AD;
Amendment 39-17669; AD 2013-23-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
General Electric Company model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan
engines. This 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 AD requires 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 issuing this AD to prevent the failure of critical rotating
LLPs, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective January 7, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 7,
2014.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 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 01803. 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is provided in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carlos Fernandes, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-
7189; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
[[Page 72553]]
apply to the specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on August 5, 2013 (78 FR 47235). The NPRM proposed to require
a one-time adjustment to the cycle counts of certain critical rotating
LLPs to account for the additional LCF life consumed in Boeing 747-8
flight tests.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed, except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (78 FR 47235, August 5, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 4 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 hour per
engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour.
The prorated cost of required parts will be about $50,000 per engine.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):
2013-23-14 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-17669; Docket No.
FAA-2013-0475; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-18-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective January 7, 2014.
(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 engine 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 No. GEnx-2B S/B 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
For more information about this AD, contact Carlos Fernandes,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: (781) 238-7189; fax: (781) 238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) General Electric (GE) Service Bulletin No. GEnx-2B S/B 72-
0116, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way,
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: [email protected].
(4) You may view this service information at 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.
(5) You may view this service information at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
[[Page 72554]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 14, 2013.
Frank P. Paskiewicz,
Acting Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28293 Filed 12-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P