Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF34 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10832-10834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1958]



[[Page 10832]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-42-AD; Amendment 39-14501; AD 2006-05-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF34 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, 
and -3B1 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires a onetime 
inspection, and if necessary replacing certain fan disks for electrical 
arc-out indications. That AD also reduces the life limit of certain fan 
disks. This AD requires the same actions and adds one disk part number 
(P/N) and serial number (SN) to the affected fan disks. This AD results 
from an error in the first part number and serial number listed in 
Table 1 of the original AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture 
of the fan disk due to cracks that initiate at an electrical arc-out, 
which could result in an uncontained failure of the engine.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 7, 2006. The Director of the 
Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations as of May 31, 2001 (66 
FR 27017, May 16, 2001).

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from GE Aircraft Engines, 1000 Western Avenue, Lynn, MA 01910; 
Attention: CF34 Product Support Engineering, Mail Zone: 34017; 
telephone (781) 594-6323; fax (781) 594-0600.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the FAA, 
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

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 781-
238-7148; fax 781-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies 
to GE CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines. We 
published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on August 23, 2005 
(70 FR 49215). That action proposed to require the same actions as AD 
2001-10-03, and add one disk P/N and SN to the affected fan disks.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that one GE CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 
turbofan engine of U.S. registry would be affected by this AD. We also 
estimate that it will take approximately six work hours per engine to 
perform the actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $140,000 per engine. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. 
operators to be $140,390.

Special Flight Permits Paragraph Removed

    Paragraph (f) of the current AD, AD 2001-10-03, contains a 
paragraph pertaining to special flight permits. Even though this final 
rule does not contain a similar paragraph, we have made no changes with 
regard to the use of special flight permits to operate the airplane to 
a repair facility to do the work required by this AD. In July 2002, we 
published a new part 39 that contains a general authority regarding 
special flight permits and airworthiness directives; see Docket No. 
FAA-2004-8460, Amendment 39-9474 (69 FR 47998, July 22, 2002). Thus, 
when we now supersede ADs we will not include a specific paragraph on 
special flight permits unless we want to limit the use of that general 
authority granted in section 39.23.

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 have determined that 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); and
    (3) 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2000-NE-42-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 10833]]

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 removing Amendment 39-12229 (66 FR 
27017, May 16, 2001) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-14501, to read as follows:

2006-05-04 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-14501. Docket No. 
2000-NE-42-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective April 7, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2001-10-03.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF34-1A, -
3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Bombardier, Inc. Canadair airplane 
models CL-600-2A12, -2B16, and -2B19.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from an error in the first part number (P/N) 
and serial number (SN) listed in Table 1 of the original AD. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent rupture of the fan disk due to cracks 
that initiate at an electrical arc-out, which could result in an 
uncontained failure of the engine.
    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Removal of Certain Fan Disks From Service

    (f) On disk P/Ns 5921T18G01, 5921T18G09, 5921T18G10, 5921T54G01, 
5922T01G02, 5922T01G04, 5922T01G05, 6020T62G04, 6020T62G05, 
6078T00G01, 6078T57G01, 6078T57G02, 6078T57G03, 6078T57G04, 
6078T57G05, and 6078T57G06, that are listed by P/N and SN in the 
following Table 1 of this AD and that have fewer than 8,000 cycles-
since-new (CSN) on the effective date of this AD, replace fan disk 
P/Ns before accumulating 8,000 CSN:

   Table 1.--Fan Disks That Require Removal Based on Blended Callouts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Disk part No.                       Disk serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6078T57G02...............................  GAT6306N
6078T00G01...............................  GAT3860G
6078T57G02...............................  GAT1924L
5922T01G04...............................  GAT9599G
6078T57G04...............................  GEE05831
6078T57G04...............................  GEE06612
6078T57G04...............................  GEE06618
6078T57G04...............................  GEE06974
6078T57G04...............................  GEE06980
6078T57G05...............................  GEE143FY
6078T57G05...............................  GEE1453G
6078T57G05...............................  GEE14452
6078T57G05...............................  GEE145NA
6078T57G04...............................  GEE08086
6078T57G04...............................  GEE09287
6078T57G04...............................  GEE09337
6078T57G05...............................  GEE12720
6078T57G05...............................  GEE14214
6078T57G05...............................  GEE142YT
6078T57G05...............................  GEE146GT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) For disks with SNs listed in Table 1 of this AD that have 
8,000 CSN or more on the effective date of this AD, replace the disk 
within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

Inspection of All Other Fan Disks

    (h) Inspect all other fan disks, P/Ns 5921T18G01, 5921T18G09, 
5921T18G10, 5921T54G01, 5922T01G02, 5922T01G04, 5922T01G05, 
6020T62G04, 6020T62G05, 6078T00G01, 6078T57G01, 6078T57G02, 
6078T57G03, 6078T57G04, 6078T57G05, and 6078T57G06 in accordance 
with paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.E.(2) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of GE Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) CF34-BJ 72-A0088, 
Revision 1, dated October 30, 2000 or paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 
3.A.(2)(f) of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE ASB CF34-AL 72-
A0103, dated August 4, 2000. Use the compliance times specified in 
the following Table 2:

             Table 2.--Fan Disk Inspection Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Fan disk operating CSN                      Inspect
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Fewer than 8,000 CSN on effective    Before accumulating 8,000 CSN
 date of this AD.                         or by the next hot section
                                          inspection after the effective
                                          date of this AD, whichever the
                                          occurs earlier.
(2) 8,000 CSN or more on the effective   Within 120 days after the
 date of this AD.                         effective date of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Definitions

    (i) For the purposes of this AD, the following definitions 
apply:
    (1) A serviceable fan disk is defined as a fan disk that has 
been inspected as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD and is not 
listed in Table 1 of this AD.
    (2) Cycles-since-new for fan disk P/N 5922T01G04 or 5922T01G05 
is defined as total cycles accrued since new as P/N 6078T57G02 or 
6078T57G03, added to total cycles accrued after modification from P/
N 6078T57G02 or 6078T57G03.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (j) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (k) None.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use the General Electric Alert Service Bulletins 
listed in Table 3 of this AD to perform the inspections required by 
this AD. The Director of the Federal Register previously approved 
the incorporation by reference of the documents listed in Table 3 of 
this AD as of May 31, 2001 (66 FR 27017, May 16, 2001) in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get a copy from GE 
Aircraft Engines, 1000 Western Avenue, Lynn, MA 01910; Attention: 
CF34 Product Support Engineering, Mail Zone: 34017; telephone (781) 
594-6323; fax (781) 594-0600. You can review copies at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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 10834]]



                                      Table 3.--Incorporation by Reference
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     Alert Service Bulletin No.            Page No.              Revision                     Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CF34-BJ 72-A0088...................  All.................  1..................  October 30, 2000.
  Total Pages: 15
CF34-AL 72-A0103...................  All.................  Original...........  August 4, 2000.
  Total Pages: 78
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    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 24, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1958 Filed 3-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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