Airworthiness Directives; CFM International S.A. Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13063-13065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04656]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9128; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-19-AD; 
Amendment 39-18820; AD 2017-05-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International S.A. 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 
CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-5 turbofan engines. This AD requires 
removal of the radial drive shaft (RDS) assembly and the RDS outer 
housing and their replacement with parts eligible for installation. 
This AD was prompted by reports of the failure of the RDS on CFM CFM56-
5B engines. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 13, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 13, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact CFM

[[Page 13064]]

International Inc., Aviation Operations Center, 1 Neumann Way, M/D Room 
285, Cincinnati, OH 45125; phone: 877-432-3272; fax: 877-432-3329; 
email: [email protected]. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2016-9128.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9128; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kasra Sharifi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7773; 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 apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2016 (81 FR 
75761). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products.
    We have received 9 reports of failure of the RDS on CFM CFM56-5B 
engines. CFM has identified an affected population of RDSs suspected of 
generating unbalance levels that would lead to failure of the RDS 
bearing. This AD requires removal of the RDS assembly and the RDS outer 
housing for the affected population. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in failure of the RDS, which could lead to failure of one 
or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received.

Request To Withdraw NPRM

    Delta Air Lines (Delta) requested that we withdraw the NPRM or 
reduce the applicability to RDS assemblies not returned to CFM. Delta 
stated that the suspect population will likely be in voluntary 
compliance by the effective date of this AD. Delta also stated that CFM 
requested that the affected parts be returned to CFM, which will ensure 
no returned parts are installed in the future.
    We disagree. The FAA has found that an unsafe condition exists, 
which requires removal of parts. The SB alone does not constitute a 
regulatory requirement, so this AD is required to mandate removal of 
parts from service. Compliance with the actions specified in this AD 
are mandatory, including the portions of the SB that are incorporated 
by reference (IBR) in this AD. We did not change this AD.

Request To Revise Compliance

    Delta requested that this AD include a statement in the compliance 
section stating that compliance can be shown by a records review. Delta 
reasons that this will allow a credit for previous action.
    The phrase ``unless already done . . .'' in paragraph (f) of this 
AD already provides credit for operators that have complied with this 
AD before the effective date of this AD. We did not change this AD.

Request To Revise Compliance

    CFM requested that we expand the applicability of this AD to 
include all CFM56-5 models not listed in paragraph (c) of this AD. CFM 
reasons that the affected RDS part numbers (P/Ns) are eligible for 
installation on other CFM56-5 model series not listed in paragraph (c) 
of this AD.
    We disagree. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the RDS, 
which could lead to dual in-flight shutdown (IFSD), in the affected 
engines, loss of control, and damage to the airplane. RDS P/Ns are a 
known population and applicability represents those engines in which 
they were installed. We did not change this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    CFM International S.A. has issued Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-5B S/
B 72-0934, dated August 1, 2016. The SB describes procedures for 
removal of the affected RDS assembly and the RDS outer housing. This 
service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects eight engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
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Removal and replacement of the RDS    6 work-hours x $85 per          $37,000          $37,510         $300,080
 assembly and RDS outer housing.       hour = $510.
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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

[[Page 13065]]

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 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 this AD:
    (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),
    (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):

2017-05-09 CFM International S.A.: Amendment 39-18820; Docket No. 
FAA-2016-9128; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-19-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 13, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-5B models, 
CFM56-5B/P models, CFM56-5B/3 models, CFM56-5B/2P models, CFM56-5B/
P1 models, CFM56-5B/2P1 models, and CFM56-5B/3B1 models engines with 
a radial drive shaft (RDS) serial number (S/N) listed in Appendix A 
of CFM Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-5B S/B 72-0934, dated August 1, 
2016, installed.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 83, Accessory 
Gearboxes.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of the failure of the RDS on CFM 
CFM56-5B engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
RDS, which could lead to failure of one or more engines, loss of 
thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, remove the 
RDS assembly, part number (P/N) 305-165-101-0, and RDS outer 
housing, P/N 301-295-106-0, and replace with parts eligible for 
installation.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
engine, an RDS with an S/N identified in Appendix A of CFM SB CFM56-
5B S/B 72-0934, dated August 1, 2016.

(h) 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. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kasra Sharifi, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7773; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(j) 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) CFM International S.A. (CFM) Service Bulletin CFM56-5B S/B 
72-0934, dated August 1, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For CFM service information identified in this AD, contact 
CFM International Inc., Aviation Operations Center, 1 Neumann Way, 
M/D Room 285, Cincinnati, OH 45125; phone: 877-432-3272; fax: 877-
432-3329; email: [email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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 February 24, 2017.
Carlos A Pestana,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-04656 Filed 3-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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