Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 25 (Monday, February 7, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6777-6779]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02455]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0791; Project Identifier AD-2021-00716-E; 
Amendment 39-21881; AD 2021-26-22]
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) 2020-20-13 
for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80A and CF6-80C model 
turbofan engines. AD 2020-20-13 required ultrasonic inspection (UI) of 
high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 and stage 2 disks and replacement 
of any HPT stage 1 or stage 2 disk that fails the inspection. This AD 
was prompted by an uncontained failure of an HPT stage 2 disk and the 
manufacturer's subsequent determination to expand the population of 
affected HPT disks requiring UI inspection. This AD requires UI of HPT 
stage 1 and stage 2 disks and replacement of any HPT stage 1 or stage 2 
disk that fails the inspection. This AD also expands the applicability 
to include an additional population of affected HPT stage 1 and 2 disks 
requiring UI inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 14, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 14, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: [email protected]; website: 
www.ge.com. You may view this service information at the Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0791.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0791; 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, 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: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7241; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-20-13, Amendment 39-21269 (85 FR 
63193, October 7, 2020), (AD 2020-20-13). AD 2020-20-13 applied to 
certain GE CF6-80A, CF6-80A1, CF6-80A2, CF6-80A3, CF6-80C2A1, CF6-
80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6-80C2A8, CF6-80C2B1, 
CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-
80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, CF6-
80C2D1F, CF6-80C2L1F, and CF6-80C2K1F model turbofan engines. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2021 (86 FR 55545). The 
NPRM was prompted by an uncontained failure of an HPT stage 2 disk and 
the manufacturer's determination to expand the population of affected 
HPT disks requiring UI inspection. After the FAA issued AD 2020-20-13, 
the manufacturer discovered an error in the service information and 
determined that the requirement to perform UI of affected HPT stage 1 
and 2 disks should be expanded to include an additional population of 
HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks. GE, therefore, revised its service 
information to include the additional affected HPT stage 1 and stage 2 
disks. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require UI of HPT 
stage 1 and stage 2 disks and replacement of any HPT stage 1 or stage 2 
disk that fails the inspection. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to 
expand the applicability to include an additional population of 
affected HPT stage 1 and 2 disks.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two commenters. Commenters included 
the Air Line Pilots Association, International and FedEx Express. All 
commenters supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE CF6-80C Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1562 R05, 
dated March 19, 2021. This SB specifies procedures for UI of CF6-80C2 
turbofan engine HPT stage 1 and 2 disks. The FAA also reviewed GE CF6-
80A SB 72-0869 R03, dated March 19, 2021. This SB specifies procedures 
for UI of CF6-80A turbofan engine HPT stage 2 disks. These documents 
are distinct since they apply to different engine models. 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 ADDRESSES.

[[Page 6778]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,512 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UI of HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks...  10 work-hours x $85 per               $0            $850      $1,285,200
                                         hour = $850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has 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 CF6-80C2 HPT stage 1 disk.............  0.25 work-hours x $85 per hour =        $799,700     $799,721.25
                                                 $21.25.
Replace CF6-80C2 HPT stage 2 disk.............  0.25 work-hours x $85 per hour =         364,600      364,621.25
                                                 $21.25.
Replace CF6-80A HPT stage 2 disk..............  0.25 work-hours x $85 per hour =         344,000      344,021.25
                                                 $21.25.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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 2020-20-13, Amendment 39-21269 (85 
FR 63193, October 7, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2021-26-22 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21881; Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0791; Project Identifier AD-2021-00716-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 14, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2020-20-13, Amendment 39-21269 (85 FR 63193, 
October 7, 2020).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80A, CF6-
80A1, CF6-80A2, CF6-80A3, CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, CF6-
80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6-80C2A8, CF6-80C2B1, CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-
80C2B2, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-
80C2B6, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, CF6-80C2D1F, CF6-
80C2L1F, and CF6-80C2K1F model turbofan engines with an installed 
high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk with a serial number (S/N) listed 
in Table 1 or 2 of Appendix A, paragraph 4., in GE CF6-80C2 Service 
Bulletin (SB) 72-1562 R05, dated March 19, 2021 (GE SB 72-1562), and 
Table 1 of Appendix--A, paragraph 4., in GE CF6-80A SB 72-0869 R03, 
dated March 19, 2021 (GE SB 72-0869).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an uncontained failure of an HPT stage 2 
disk and the manufacturer's determination to expand the population 
of affected HPT disks requiring ultrasonic inspection (UI). The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT stage 1 disk (CF6-
80C2 engines) and the HPT stage 2 disk (CF6-80C2 and CF6-80A 
engines). The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an 
uncontained HPT disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For CF6-80C2 model turbofan engines, at each piece-part 
exposure after the effective

[[Page 6779]]

date of this AD, perform a UI of affected HPT stage 1 and stage 2 
disks using the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(2), of 
GE SB 72-1562.
    (2) For CF6-80A model turbofan engines, at each piece-part 
exposure after the effective date of this AD, perform a UI of 
affected HPT stage 2 disks using the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 3.A.(2), of GE SB 72-0869.
    (3) If any disk fails the inspection required by paragraph 
(g)(1) or (2) of this AD, replace the disk with a part eligible for 
installation before further flight.

(h) No Reporting Requirements

    The reporting requirements specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(2)(f), of GE SB 72-
1562, and paragraph 3.A.(3), of GE SB 72-0869, are not required by 
this AD.

(i) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' is an HPT stage 1 or stage 2 disk:
    (i) That has been inspected in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) 
or (2) of this AD and a rejectable indication was not found; or
    (ii) With an S/N not listed in Table 1 or 2 of Appendix A, 
paragraph 4., in GE SB 72-1562, or Table 1 of Appendix--A, paragraph 
4., in GE SB 72-0869.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' of the 
HPT stage 1 or stage 2 disk is the separation of that HPT disk from 
its mating rotor parts within the HPT rotor module (thermal shield 
and HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disk, respectively).

(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. Information may be emailed 
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 Sungmo Cho, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 
MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7241; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(l) 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) GE CF6-80C Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1562 R05, dated March 
19, 2021.
    (ii) GE CF6-80A SB 72-0869 R03, dated March 19, 2021.
    (3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: [email protected]; website: 
www.ge.com.
    (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 (817) 222-5110.
    (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 December 16, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02455 Filed 2-4-22; 8:45 am]
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