Airworthiness Directives; CFM International S.A. Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23794-23796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11027]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0429; Product Identifier 2018-NE-13-AD; Amendment 
39-19287; AD 2018-09-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International S.A. Turbofan Engines

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., (CFM) CFM56-7B model engines. This emergency AD 
was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of CFM 
CFM56-7B model engines. This AD requires a one-time ultrasonic 
inspection (USI) of the concave and convex sides of the fan blade 
dovetail. This AD was prompted by a recent engine failure due to a 
fractured fan blade, which resulted in the engine inlet cowl 
disintegrating and debris penetrating the fuselage, causing a loss of 
pressurization, and prompting an emergency descent. We are issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 7, 2018 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2018-
09-51, issued on April 20, 2018, which contained the requirements of 
this amendment.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of May 
14, 2018 (83 FR 19176, May 2, 2018).
    We must receive comments on this AD by July 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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 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]. 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 781-238-7759. It is also available on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0429.

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-2018-
0429; or in person at Docket Operations 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 street address for Docket Operations (phone: 
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McGuire, Aerospace 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On April 20, 2018, we issued Emergency AD 2018-09-51, which 
requires a one-time USI of the concave and convex sides of the fan 
blade dovetail. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these CFM CFM56-7B model engines. This action 
was prompted by a recent engine failure due to a fractured fan blade. 
There was one passenger fatality as a result of the event. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in the engine inlet cowl 
disintegrating and debris penetrating the fuselage, causing a loss of 
pressurization, and prompting an emergency descent.

Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed CFM Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033, dated 
April 20, 2018. The service information describes procedures for 
performing a USI for cracks of the fan blade dovetail and removal of 
cracked fan blades from service. 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.

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 a one-time USI of the concave and convex sides of 
the fan blade dovetail.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033, dated April 20, 2018, provides actions 
for engines with fewer than 30,000 flight cycles, but this AD does not 
affect those engines. The service information also specifies repetitive 
inspections, but this AD does not require that the inspection be 
repeated. We published AD 2018-09-10 (83 FR 19176, May 2, 2018), which 
addresses those differences.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2018-09-51, issued on April 20, 2018, to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these engines. The FAA has found that the risk 
to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to 
adoption of this rule because the USI must be performed within 20 days. 
These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby published in the 
Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all 
persons. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason 
stated above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

[[Page 23795]]

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 final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2018-
0429 and Product Identifier 2018-NE-13-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
final rule 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 final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 532 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect engine fan blade...........  2 work-hours x $85 per hour              $0            $170         $90,440
                                      = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace fan blade..........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...          $8,500          $8,585
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    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):

2018-09-51 CFM International S.A.: Amendment 39-19287; Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0429; Product Identifier 2018-NE-13-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 7, 2018 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2018-09-51, issued on April 20, 2018, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all CFM International, S.A., (CFM) CFM56-
7B20, -7B22, -7B24, -7B26, -7B27, -7B22/B1, -7B24/B1, -7B26/B1, -
7B26/B2, -7B27/B1, -7B27/B3, -7B20/3, -7B22/3, -7B24/3, -7B26/3, -
7B27/3, -7B22/3B1, -7B24/3B1, -7B26/3B1, -7B26/3B2, -7B26/3F, -7B26/
3B2F, -7B27/3B1, -7B27/3B3, -7B27/3F, -7B27/3B1F, -7B20E, -7B22E, -
7B24E, -7B26E, -7B27E, -7B22E/B1, -7B24E/B1, -7B26E/B1, -7B26E/B2, -
7B26E/F, -7B26E/B2F, -7B27E/B1, -7B27E/B3, -7B27E/F, -7B27E/B1F, -
7B20/2, -7B22/2, -7B24/2, -7B26/2, -7B27/2, -7B27A,

[[Page 23796]]

-7B27AE, and -7B27A/3 engine models, with 30,000 or more total 
accumulated flight cycles since new, as of April 20, 2018.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by recent event involving an engine 
failure, resulting in the engine inlet cowl disintegrating, debris 
penetrating the fuselage causing a loss of pressurization and 
prompting an emergency descent. There was one passenger fatality as 
a result of the event. We are issuing this AD to address fan blade 
failure due to cracking, which could result in an engine in-flight 
shutdown (IFSD), uncontained release of debris, damage to the 
engine, damage to the airplane, and possible airplane decompression.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    (1) Within 20 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time ultrasonic inspection of all 24 fan blade dovetail 
concave and convex sides to detect cracking.
    (2) Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(3)(a) 
through (i), of CFM Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033, 
dated April 20, 2018, to perform the inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

(h) Corrective Action

    If any unserviceable indication, as specified in CFM SB CFM56-7B 
S/B 72-1033, dated April 20, 2018, is found during any inspection 
required by this AD, remove the affected fan blade from service 
before further flight.

(i) No Reporting Required

    Although CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033, dated April 20, 2018, 
specifies to report findings, this AD does not include that 
requirement.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
receipt of this AD using CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1019, dated March 
24, 2017; or Revision 1, dated June 13, 2017; or CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 
72-1024, dated July 24, 2017.

(k) 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 (l) 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.
    (3) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(k)(3)(i) and (k)(3)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Christopher McGuire, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; Email: 
[email protected].

(m) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
May 14, 2018 (83 FR 19176, May 2, 2018).
    (i) CFM International, S.A., (CFM) Service Bulletin CFM56-7B S/B 
72-1033, dated April 20, 2018.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) 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].
    (5) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 May 18, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11027 Filed 5-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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