Airworthiness Directives; GE Honda Aero Engines Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39176-39177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17078]



[[Page 39176]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0352; Product Identifier 2019-NE-09-AD; Amendment 
39-19705; AD 2019-16-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GE Honda Aero Engines Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
GE Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) HF120 model turbofan engines with a 
certain fuel pump metering unit (FPMU) assembly. This AD was prompted 
by damage found on the permanent magnetic alternator (PMA) drive gear 
within the FPMU assembly. This AD requires removal of a certain FPMU 
assembly and its replacement with a part eligible for installation. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 13, 2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact GE Honda Aero Engines, LLC, 9050 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 
350, West Chester, OH, 45069; phone 513-552-7820; email: aero.com">info@honda-aero.com; internet: www.gehonda.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington MA, 01803. 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-2019-0352.

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-2019-
0352; 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 address for Docket Operations is 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: Michael Richardson-Bach, Aerospace 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all GHAE HF120 model 
turbofan engines with a certain FPMU assembly. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on May 21, 2019 (84 FR 22986). The NPRM was 
prompted by an incident on a flight test engine that resulted in the 
loss of over-speed protection warning. GHAE's subsequent investigation 
found damage on the PMA drive gear teeth within the FPMU assembly, 
which was likely due to dynamic loads on the drive gear that exceeded 
the material capability. The NPRM proposed to require removal of a 
certain FPMU assembly and its replacement with a part eligible for 
installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Comments

    The FAA 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 Update Service Information

    GHAE commented that the Related Service Information section of the 
NPRM refers to ``GHAE HF120 Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0016 R01, dated 
November 08, 2018.'' GHAE recommended that the FAA revise the AD to 
refer to Revision 02, dated May 13, 2019. GHAE noted that GHAE HF120 SB 
73-0016 R02 clarifies the interchangeability statement to eliminate 
confusion as to the FPMU part numbers that are eligible for 
installation.
    The FAA agrees. The FAA revised the Related Service Information 
paragraph in this AD to refer to GHAE HF120 SB 73-0016 R02, dated May 
13, 2019.

Request To Revise JASC Code

    GHAE commented that it considers the FPMU an engine fuel control, 
falling under JASC Code 7321, Fuel Control/Turbine Engines. GHAE 
classifies the FPMU as 73-21-00 in its Engine Illustrated Parts 
Catalog. GHAE therefore recommended that the FAA change the JASC Code 
from 7314, Engine Fuel Pump, to 7321, Fuel Control/Turbine Engines.
    The FAA agrees. The FAA revised the JASC Code in this AD as 
suggested by the commenter.

Request To Update Address

    GHAE commented that the GHAE business address listed in the NPRM is 
incorrect. GHAE indicated its office suite number has changed. GHAE 
requested that the FAA change the address in this AD to Suite 350.
    The FAA agrees. The FAA updated the address in this AD as suggested 
by the commenter.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed GHAE HF120 SB 73-0016 R02, dated May 13, 2019. The 
SB describes procedures for replacement of the FPMU assembly with a 
part eligible for installation.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 161 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost            Parts cost      Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the FPMU...............  6.5 work-hours x $85              $50,000         $50,552.50      $8,138,952.50
                                  per hour = $552.50.
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[[Page 39177]]

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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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):

2019-16-02 GE Honda Aero Engines: Amendment 39-19705; Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0352; Product Identifier 2019-NE-09-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 13, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all GE Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) HF120 model 
turbofan engines with fuel pump metering unit (FPMU) assembly, part 
number (P/N) 24100-Q0A-F000, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7321, Fuel Control/
Turbine Engines.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by damage found on the permanent magnetic 
alternator drive gear within the FPMU assembly. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to prevent failure of the FPMU assembly. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more 
engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 20 engine hours after the effective date of this AD, or 
before accumulating 600 engine hours since new, whichever occurs 
later, remove the affected FPMU assembly from service and replace it 
with a part eligible for installation.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
engine an FPMU assembly, P/N 24100-Q0A-F000.

(i) Definition

    For the purposes of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' is:
    (1) an FPMU assembly, P/N 24100-Q0A-G000 or P/N 24100-Q0A-F100; 
or
    (2) an FPMU assembly, P/N 24100-Q0A-F000, that is rebuilt and 
marked as P/N 24100-Q0A-G000 or P/N 24100-Q0A-F100.

(j) 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 (k) 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Michael Richardson-
Bach, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 6, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-17078 Filed 8-8-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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