Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 109 (Thursday, June 8, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26580-26582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11781]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0016; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-31-AD; 
Amendment 39-18917; AD 2017-12-02]
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 (GE) GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -1B67, -
1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/P1, -1B70/P2, -1B70/75/P1, -1B70/75/P2, 
-1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76A/P2 turbofan 
engines. This AD was prompted by a fracture of the fuel manifold which 
led to an in-flight shutdown of the engine. This AD requires 
replacement of the outer left side signal fuel manifold with a part 
eligible for installation. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact General Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, OH 45215, phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; 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-2017-
0016.

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-2017-
0016; 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 final rule, 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

[[Page 26581]]

Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McGuire, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7120; 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 all GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -
1B64/P2, -1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/P1, -1B70/P2, -1B70/
75/P1, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -
1B76A/P2 engines with outer left side signal fuel manifold, part number 
(P/N) 2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813, installed. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on February 28, 2017 (82 FR 12070) (``the NPRM''). 
The NPRM was prompted by a fracture of the fuel manifold which led to 
an in-flight shutdown of the engine. The NPRM proposed to require 
replacement of the outer left side signal fuel manifold with a part 
eligible for installation. We are issuing this AD to prevent fracture 
of the fuel manifold, engine fire, and damage to the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Reduce Compliance Time

    The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) requested that the FAA 
reduce the compliance time in this AD from 12 months to 60 days. ALPA 
commented that the service bulletin (SB) recommends replacement of the 
left side signal fuel manifold within 60 days of issuance of the SB.
    We disagree. Our risk assessment of the potential for additional 
fuel manifold fractures indicates that 12 months represents an 
acceptable level of risk for replacement of the affected fuel 
manifolds. We did not change this AD.

Request To Withdraw NPRM

    United Airlines (United) requested that the NPRM be withdrawn. 
United commented that they have already accomplished the requirements 
of this AD and removed all affected parts from stock. United noted that 
GE has reported that this issue has been resolved by all operators. 
United indicated that this AD will therefore only generate unnecessary 
work.
    We disagree. This AD includes an installation prohibition that 
prevents any non-conforming parts from being re-installed into engines. 
Without this prohibition, a non-conforming part could be installed into 
an engine and re-enter service. We did not change this AD.

Request To Revise Applicability

    Japan Airlines (JAL) requested that the applicability of this AD be 
revised so that it lists affected engine serial numbers instead of 
applicable engines with the affected part installed. JAL indicated that 
GE no longer delivers engines with the affected parts installed.
    We disagree. This AD includes an installation prohibition to 
prevent the affected outer left side signal fuel manifold from being 
re-installed in any engine. By defining applicability according to the 
affected engine with the outer left side signal fuel manifold, P/N 
2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813, installed, we ensure that all the 
affected parts are removed from service and not re-installed in any 
engine. We did not change this AD.

Request To Clarify Compliance Using SB

    JAL commented that they believe the AD should allow replacement of 
the affected outer left side signal fuel manifold using GE GEnx-1B SB 
73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016.
    We agree. This AD does not specify which service material to use 
when replacing the outer left side signal fuel manifold. This AD lists 
GE service bulletins, including GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 
15, 2016, as guidance when inspecting, repairing, and replacing the 
outer left side signal fuel manifold. Therefore, this AD already allows 
use of GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00 when complying with this AD. We did not 
change this AD.

Request That AD Not Apply to New Engines

    JAL requested that newly-delivered engines, which are not covered 
by GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016, should be 
considered as ``not applicable to this AD.''
    We partially agree. We agree that this AD does not apply to new 
engines that do not have the affected fuel manifold installed. We 
disagree with changing the applicability of this AD because we do not 
want to allow an affected part to be installed later on a new engine. 
We did not change this AD.

Support for the NPRM

    GE expressed support for the NPRM as written.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0051 R00, dated November 4, 2016; GE 
GEnx-1B SB 73-0052 R00, dated October 28, 2016; and GE GEnx-1B SB 73-
0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016. These SBs describe, respectively, 
procedures for inspecting, repairing, and replacing the outer left side 
signal fuel manifold, part number 2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 109 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of fuel manifold..........  2 work-hours x $85 per           $16,000         $16,170      $1,762,530
                                         hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,

[[Page 26582]]

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):

2017-12-02 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-18917; Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0016; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-31-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 13, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -1B67, -
1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, 1B70/P1, -1B70/P2, -1B70/75/P1, -1B70/75/
P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76A/P2 
engines with outer left side signal fuel manifold, part number (P/N) 
2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7313, Fuel Injector 
Nozzle.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by fracture of the fuel manifold which led 
to an in-flight shutdown of the engine. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent fracture of the fuel manifold, engine fire, and damage to 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Inspect the outer left side signal fuel manifold, P/N 
2403M46G01 and CAGE code 05813, to determine if the part has 
additional marking ``XB,'' ``INS,'' or ``KB'' adjacent to part 
number. If the part is marked with ``XB,'' ``INS,'' or ``KB,'' then 
no further action is required.
    (2) For parts without additional marking ``XB,'' ``INS,'' or 
``KB'' adjacent to the part number, within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the outer left side signal fuel 
manifold with a part eligible for installation.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install an outer 
left side signal fuel manifold, P/N 2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813, 
onto an engine, unless additional marking ``XB,'' ``INS,'' or ``KB'' 
is adjacent to the part number.

(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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Christopher 
McGuire, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0051 R00, dated November 
4, 2016; GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0052 R00, dated October 28, 2016; and GE 
GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016, can be obtained 
from GE using the contact information in paragraph (i)(3) of this 
AD. These SBs, respectively, describe procedures for inspecting, 
repairing, and replacing the outer left side signal fuel manifold.
    (3) 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; fax: 513-552-3329; email: 
[email protected].
    (4) 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.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 30, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-11781 Filed 6-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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