[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 18 (Monday, January 28, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5712-5713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01360]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1289; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD;
Amendment 39-17323; AD 2013-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Turbofan
Engines Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SE00034EN
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for CFM
International, S.A. CFM56-3, CFM56-3B, and CFM56-3C turbofan engines.
This AD requires removal from service of certain high-pressure turbine
(HPT) disks manufactured by Global Material Solutions of Pratt &
Whitney, at reduced maximum life limits. This AD was prompted by a
report of a forging process error during manufacture of these HPT
disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained release of
multiple turbine blades, damage to the engine, and damage to the
airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective January 28, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 28,
2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by March 14, 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt &
Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-7700;
fax: 860-565-1605. 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 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: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765;
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We received a report from Global Material Solutions of Pratt &
Whitney, of a forging process error that occurred during manufacture of
HPT disks, part number (P/N) 880026, serial numbers (S/Ns) GLKBAA9307,
GLKBAA9335, GLKBAA9404, GLKBAA9407, and GLKBAA9409. During the last
forging operation of the manufacturing process, the forging temperature
at the disk rim was incorrect. This resulted in below allowable creep
properties of the HPT disk, which reduced the calculated maximum life
limits. This condition, if not corrected, could result in uncontained
release of multiple turbine blades, damage to the engine, and damage to
the airplane.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires removal of the affected HPT disks at reduced
maximum life limits, as follows:
For CFM56-3, CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines
operating to 20,100 lbs maximum takeoff (MTO) thrust, remove the HPT
disk on or before accumulating 8,000 cycles-since-new (CSN).
For CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to
22,100 lbs MTO thrust, remove the HPT disk on or before accumulating
8,000 CSN.
For CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 23,500 lbs MTO
thrust, remove the HPT disk on or before accumulating 4,000 CSN.
For HPT disks that have been used in multiple models or
thrust installations, the formula in the ADDED DATA section of Pratt &
Whitney Special Instruction 6F-12 dated December 21, 2012 must be used
to calculate the remaining life on the disk.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than
30 days. Accordingly, this AD is effective upon publication.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket Number FAA-2012-1289;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
[[Page 5713]]
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
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 AD.
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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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):
2013-02-02 CFM International, S.A.: Amendment 39-17323; Docket No.
FAA-2012-1289; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective January 28, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to CFM International, S.A. CFM56-3, CFM56-3B,
and CFM56-3C turbofan engines, modified by Supplemental Type
Certificate SE00034EN, with a high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk, part
number (P/N) 880026, serial number (S/N) GLKBAA9307, GLKBAA9335,
GLKBAA9404, GLKBAA9407, or GLKBAA9409, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a forging process error
during manufacture of these HPT disks. We are issuing this AD to
prevent uncontained release of multiple turbine blades, damage to
the engine, and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) For CFM56-3, CFM56-3B, and CFM56-3C turbofan engines
operating to 20,100 lbs maximum takeoff (MTO) thrust, remove the HPT
disk from service on or before accumulating 8,000 cycles-since-new
(CSN).
(2) For CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to
22,100 lbs MTO thrust, remove the HPT disk from service on or before
accumulating 8,000 CSN.
(3) For CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 23,500 lbs MTO
thrust, remove the HPT disk from service on or before accumulating
4,000 CSN.
(4) For HPT disks that have been used in multiple models or
thrust installations, the formula in the ADDED DATA section of Pratt
& Whitney Special Instruction 6F-12 dated December 21, 2012 must be
used to calculate the remaining life on the disk.
(f) 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.
(g) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].
(h) 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) Pratt & Whitney Corp. Special Instruction No. 6F-12, dated
December 21, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt
& Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-
7700; fax: 860-565-1605.
(4) 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.
(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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 14, 2013.
Thomas Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-01360 Filed 1-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P