Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 7, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40586-40588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14458]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0800; Project Identifier 2005-NE-24-AD; Amendment 
39-21153; AD 2020-13-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-23-09 
for all General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1A1, -80E1A2, -80E1A3, -
80E1A4, and -80E1A4/B model turbofan engines. AD 2005-23-09 required 
initial and repetitive fluorescent-penetrant inspections (FPI) of 
certain areas of high-pressure compressor (HPC) cases, part number (P/
N) 1509M97G07 and P/N 2083M69G03. This AD requires an update of the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of GE Engine Manual GEK99376 
and the operator's existing continuous airworthiness maintenance 
program (CAMP). This AD was prompted by GE performed an updated lifing 
analysis on the HPC case. As a result, GE found additional locations on 
the cases requiring FPI, revised the inspection interval for performing 
FPI of the existing location, and added an additional P/N HPC case that 
requires inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 11, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 11, 
2020.

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; email: 
[email protected]. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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-2019-0800.

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-
0800; 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: Scott Stevenson, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7132; 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 to supersede AD 2005-23-09, Amendment 39-14367 (70 FR 
67901, November 9, 2005), (``AD 2005-23-09''). AD 2005-23-09 applied to 
all GE CF6-80E1A1, -80E1A2, -80E1A3, -80E1A4, and -80E1A4/B model 
turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 
21, 2020 (85 FR 3284). The NPRM was prompted by GE performing an 
updated lifing analysis on the HPC case. As a result, GE found 
additional locations on the cases

[[Page 40587]]

requiring FPI, revised the inspection interval for performing FPI of 
the existing location, and added an additional P/N HPC case that 
requires inspection. The NPRM proposed to require an update of the ALS 
of GE Engine Manual GEK99376 and the operator's existing CAMP. 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 AD. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request for Clarification on Task Referenced in AD

    EASA and Delta Airlines (Delta) requested clarification on whether 
TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, referenced in the AD 
and in the docket, should be from Revision 47 or from Revision 48 of GE 
CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376, dated September 15, 2019 (``GE Engine 
Manual''). Delta further questioned whether the task should have the 
same date as the GE Engine Manual.
    The FAA agrees that TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 
2015, in Revision 48 of the GE Engine Manual is referenced correctly in 
this AD. The FAA notes that the task has a different date than the GE 
Engine Manual and the task is dated correctly in the NPRM. This task 
from Revision 48 of the GE Engine Manual will be uploaded to the docket 
upon publication of the final rule.

Request To Include Reference to Later Revisions of Engine Manual

    Delta requested that the FAA include a reference to ``and later 
approved revisions'' when referencing the GE Engine Manual in paragraph 
(g) of this AD.
    The FAA disagrees because later revisions of the GE Engine Manual 
cannot be referenced in an AD.

Support for the AD

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International, expressed support 
for the AD as written.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this AD as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, 
from ESM 05-21-02, Life Limits 001 High Pressure Compressor HPC--
Scheduled Maintenance Checks, of the GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual 
GEK99376, Revision 48, dated September 15, 2019. The service 
information describes procedures for performing FPIs of the HPC case. 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 20 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update ALS of Engine Manual...........  2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170          $3,400
                                         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.
    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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA has determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-23-09, Amendment 39-14367 
(70 FR 67901, November 9, 2005); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2020-13-08 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21153; Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0800; Project Identifier 2005-NE-24-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 11, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2005-23-09, Amendment 39-14367 (70 FR 67901, 
November 9, 2005).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1A1, -
80E1A2,

[[Page 40588]]

 -80E1A3, -80E1A4, and -80E1A4/B model turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by GE performing an updated lifing analysis 
on the high-pressure compressor (HPC) case. Based on this analysis, 
GE found new locations on the case that require fluorescent 
penetrant inspection (FPI), identified a new inspection interval for 
the existing FPI location, and added another part-numbered HPC case 
that requires inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the HPC case. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in uncontained release of the HPC case, engine fire, 
and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
TASK 05-21-02-200-001 in GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376 and the 
operator's existing continuous airworthiness maintenance program 
with TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, from ESM 05-
21-02, Life Limits 001 High Pressure Compressor HPC--Scheduled 
Maintenance Checks, of the GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376, 
Revision 48, dated September 15, 2019.

(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 Scott Stevenson, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7132; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(j) 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.
    (i) TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, from ESM 
05-21-02, Life Limits 001 High Pressure Compressor HPC--Scheduled 
Maintenance Checks, of the GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376, 
Revision 48, dated September 15, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: 
[email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (5) 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 17, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14458 Filed 7-6-20; 8:45 am]
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