Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 193 (Friday, October 6, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46669-46671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21345]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0254; Product Identifier 2017-NE-10-AD; Amendment 
39-19066; AD 2017-20-09]
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 all 
General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8E model turbofan engines. This AD 
was prompted by a report that using a certain repair procedure for the 
fan outlet guide vane (OGV) frame could alter the strength capability 
of the fan OGV frame. This AD requires replacement of all fan OGV 
frames

[[Page 46670]]

repaired using this procedure. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 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 and Propeller Standards Branch, 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-2017-0254.

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-
0254; 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 Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bethka, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7129; 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 GE CF34-8E model 
turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 8, 
2017 (82 FR 26615). The NPRM was prompted by a report that using a 
certain repair procedure for the fan OGV frame could alter the strength 
capability of the fan OGV frame because the repair procedure included 
an improper heat cycle. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of all 
fan OGV frames repaired using this procedure. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the fan OGV frame, engine 
separation, and loss of 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.

Support for the NPRM

    The Air Line Pilots Association supports the NPRM.

Request To Change Applicability

    Horizon Air requested we include a list of fan OGV frame affected 
serial numbers (S/Ns) in this AD. J-Air requested that this AD include 
GE Service Bulletin (SB) CF34-8E-AL S/B 72-0183, Revision 3, dated 
March 7, 2017, for a list of affected OGV frame S/Ns known to GE. 
Further, the two commenters explained that operators are not 
necessarily aware of which repairs have been performed. The changes 
were requested to take the burden off the operator to determine AD 
applicability.
    We partially agree. We disagree that SB CF34-8E-AL S/B 72-0183 
provides a list of all affected OGV frame S/Ns. The list of known 
affected part S/Ns is based on the best available data, but is not 
comprehensive. It may be possible that some OGV frames were repaired, 
but are not known to GE and are not included in GE SB CF34-8E-AL S/B 
72-0183. Operators are responsible for checking engine records to 
determine AD applicability.
    We agree to unburden operators to the maximum extent possible. In 
the interest of aiding operators to determine affected part S/Ns, we 
included GE SB CF34-8E-AL S/B 72-0183 in the Related Service 
Information section in the preamble of this final rule, with a note 
that GE SB CF34-8E-AL S/B 72-0183 does not include a comprehensive list 
of all affected parts. GE SB CF34-8E-AL S/B 72-0183 includes a list of 
OGV frame S/Ns known to GE that have been repaired to GEK 112031 72-00-
23, REPAIR 006.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the change described previously. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> [Agr]re consistent with the intent that was proposed in 
the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE CF34-8E Engine Manual, GEK 112031, 72-00-23, REPAIR 
006. The repair describes procedures for applying a dry-film lubricant 
to the fan OGV frame with heat curing.
    We also reviewed GE SB CF34-8E-AL S/B 72-0183, Revision 3, dated 
March 7, 2017. The SB provides instructions to replace the fan OGV 
frames repaired as specified in GE CF34-8E Engine Manual, GEK 112031, 
72-00-23, REPAIR 006. However, the SB does not provide a comprehensive 
list of affected parts. The SB provides a list of OGV frame S/Ns known 
to GE that have been repaired to GEK 112031 72-00-23 REPAIR 006.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 42 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fan OGV frame part--annual,          0 work-hour x $85 per hour          $12,300         $12,300        $516,600
 prorated cost.                       = $0.00.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue

[[Page 46671]]

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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, 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):

2017-20-09 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-19066; Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0254; Product Identifier 2017-NE-10-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 13, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8E2; 
CF34-8E2A1; CF34-8E5; CF34-8E5A1; CF34-8E5A2; CF34-8E6; and CF34-
8E6A1 model turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC), 7270, Turbine Engine 
Bypass Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that using a certain repair 
procedure for the fan outlet guide vane (OGV) frame could alter the 
strength capability of the fan OGV frame. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the fan OGV frame, engine separation, and loss of 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For engines with a fan OGV frame installed that was repaired 
using GE CF34-8E Engine Manual, GEK 112031, 72-00-23, REPAIR 006:
    (i) If the fan OGV frame has 24,900 cycles since new (CSN) or 
more on the effective date of this AD, remove the OGV frame from 
service within 100 cycles after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) If the OGV frame has less than 24,900 CSN on the effective 
date of this AD, remove the fan OGV frame from service at the next 
shop visit after the effective date of this AD, or before exceeding 
25,000 CSN, whichever occurs earlier.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a fan 
OGV frame that was repaired using GE CF34-8E Engine Manual, GEK 
112031, 72-00-23, REPAIR 006.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. You may email your 
request to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact David Bethka, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7129; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For General Electric 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]. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 28, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-21345 Filed 10-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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