Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64195-64197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25129]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0894; Product Identifier 2019-NE-32-AD; Amendment 
39-19798; AD 2019-21-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain General Electric Company (GE) GE90-115B model turbofan engines. 
Emergency AD 2019-21-51 was sent previously to all known operators of 
the GE GE90-115B model turbofan engines with certain engine serial 
numbers. This AD requires the removal from service of the Interstage 
Seal, part number 2505M72P01, from the affected engines. This AD was 
prompted by a recent event involving an uncontained high-pressure 
turbine (HPT) failure, resulting in an aborted takeoff and debris 
penetrating the airplane's fuselage and the other engine. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 6, 2019 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2019-21-51, issued on October 23, 2019, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by January 6, 2020.

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 https://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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 
45125; phone: 877-432-3272; fax: 877-432-3329;

[[Page 64196]]

email: [email protected]. 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0894.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0894; 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 is listed 
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Herman Mak, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On October 23, 2019, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2019-21-51, which 
requires the removal from service of the GE GE90-115B model turbofan 
engine Interstage Seal, part number 2505M72P01, from the affected 
engines. That emergency AD was sent previously to all known operators 
of GE GE90-115B model turbofan engines with certain engine serial 
numbers. This action was prompted by a recent event involving an 
uncontained HPT failure, that resulted in an aborted takeoff, debris 
penetrating the airplane's fuselage and the other engine. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained HPT failure, 
release of high-energy debris, damage to the engine, damage to the 
airplane, and loss of the airplane.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed GE Alert Service Bulletin GE90-100 S/B 72-A0826, 
dated October 23, 2019. The service information describes procedures 
for the removal of the Interstage Seal from affected GE GE90-115B model 
turbofan engines.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because it 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 the removal from service of the Interstage Seal, 
part number 2505M72P01, from the affected engines.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2019-21-51, issued on October 23, 2019, to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of certain GE GE90-115B model turbofan engines. 
The FAA found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
Interstage Seal must be removed within 25 flight cycles from the 
effective date of this AD. Additionally, no domestic operators use the 
affected engines. 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, the FAA 
finds good cause that notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are impracticable and unnecessary. In addition, for the reason stated 
above, the FAA finds that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

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, the FAA invites 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-2019-
0894 and Product Identifier 2019-NE-32-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final 
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove the Interstage Seal............  100 work-hours x $85 per        $509,600        $518,100              $0
                                         hour = $8,500.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,

[[Page 64197]]

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, the FAA certifies that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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):

2019-21-51 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-19798; Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0894; Product Identifier 2019-NE-32-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 6, 2019 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency 
AD 2019-21-51, issued on October 23, 2019, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GE90-115B 
model turbofan engines with engine serial numbers 907451, 907464, 
907504, 907564, 907574, 907599, 907601, and 907618.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a recent event involving an uncontained 
high-pressure turbine (HPT) failure, resulting in an aborted 
takeoff, debris penetrating the aircraft's fuselage and the other 
engine. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained 
HPT failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to the engine, 
damage to the airplane, and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Action

    Within 25 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
remove from service the Interstage Seal, part number 2505M72P01 with 
serial numbers GWN0TCL3, NCE062LD, NCE254LC, NCE314KU, NCE374LB, 
NCE527KT, NCE777LD, or NCE994KW.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  GE Alert Service Bulletin GE90-100 S/B 
72-A0826, dated October 23, 2019, contains guidance for replacing 
the Interstage Seal.

(h) 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 (i) 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.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Herman Mak, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; Email: 
[email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 14, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-25129 Filed 11-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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