[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 58 (Monday, March 25, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 12050-12051] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-7142] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 95-ANE-19] Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF34 Series Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to General Electric Company (GE) CF34 series turbofan engines. This proposal would reduce the allowable operating cyclic life limit for affected fan disks. This proposal is prompted by an updated stress and life analysis. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent fan disk rupture, engine failure, and damage to the aircraft. DATES: Comments must be received by May 24, 1996. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-19, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. 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: Eugene Triozzi, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 238-7148, fax (617) 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 in triplicate 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 notice 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 notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 95-ANE-19.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. Availability of NPRMs Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-19, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Discussion The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reviewed and approved an updated stress and life analysis for fan disks installed in General Electric Company (GE) CF34 series turbofan engines. Although the FAA has not received any reports of cracked or failed fan disks, the stress and life analysis was performed using new, improved methodology. This analysis revealed that the published cyclic life limits were higher than updated calculated lives, which could result in the operation of a fan disk beyond its cyclic life. This condition, if not corrected, could result in fan disk rupture, engine failure, and damage to the aircraft. 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 reduce the allowable operating cyclic life limit for affected fan disks. There are approximately 440 engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 150 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately zero additional work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $106,320 per engine, based on the estimated current part cost, prorated downward by a factor equal to the quotient of the difference between the original cyclic life limit (38,280 cycles) and the revised cyclic life limit (9,000 cycles) divided by the original cyclic life limit. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,950,000. The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this proposal would not have sufficient [[Page 12051]] federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: General Electric Company: Docket No. 95-ANE-19. Applicability: General Electric Company (GE) Model CF34-1A, -3A, and -3A2 turbofan engines, with fan disk part numbers (P/N's) 6020T62G04, 6020T62G05, 6078T00G01, or 5921T54G01 installed. These engines are installed on but not limited to Canadair Limited Model CL-600-2A12 and CL-600-2B16 aircraft. Note: This airworthiness directive (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 use the authority provided in paragraph (d) to request approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the applicability of this AD. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent fan disk rupture, engine failure, and damage to the aircraft, accomplish the following: (a) Remove from service fan disks, P/N's 6020T62G04, 6020T62G05, 6078T00G01, and 5921T54G01, prior to accumulating 9,000 cycles in service (CIS) since new, and replace with a serviceable part. (b) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable part is defined as a fan disk with less than 9,000 CIS. (c) This AD defines a new life limit of 9,000 CIS for fan disks, P/N's 6020T62G04, 6020T62G05, 6078T00G01, and 5921T54G01. (d) 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 Manager, Engine Certification Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office. Note: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 11, 1996. James C. Jones, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 96-7142 Filed 3-22-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U