Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9432-9435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03787]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0101; Project Identifier AD-2021-01456-E; 
Amendment 39-21949; AD 2022-04-07]
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) GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -
1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/75/P1, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70/P1, -
1B70/P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76/P2, -
1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, -2B67B, and -2B67/P model turbofan engines. This 
AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an engine and 
subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that revealed an 
improperly torqued fuel metering unit (FMU) bypass valve (BPV) plug. 
This AD requires a shim check inspection of the FMU BPV plug and, 
depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the FMU. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 9, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 9, 
2022.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 8, 2022.

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, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 
(513) 552-3272; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://www.ge.com. 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 (817) 222-5110. It is 
also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0101.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0101; 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 street address for the 
Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7178; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 20, 2021, a Boeing model 747-8F airplane, powered by GEnx-
2B67/P model turbofan engines, flying from Hong Kong to Dubai, 
experienced N1 overspeed and fire warnings that resulted in an IFSD and 
air turnback (ATB) to Hong Kong. After landing, the engine reignited 
and emergency crews extinguished the fire. The investigation led by the 
National Transportation Safety Board found several fuel system leaks 
including at the FMU supply pressure (P1) BPV pressure port with a 
loose FMU BPV plug safety cabled in place. Because a safety cable was 
in place, the investigation concluded that the FMU BPV plug might not 
have been torqued properly during production or during an engine shop 
visit. During the investigation, GE discovered that another operator, 
operating a Boeing

[[Page 9433]]

model 787-10 airplane, powered by GEnx-1B74/75/P2 model turbofan 
engines, found a fuel system leak related to a loose FMU BPV plug in 
August 2020 during a walk-around after a flight. As a result of the 
investigation, the manufacturer published GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 
(SB) 73-0100 R00, dated December 3, 2021, and GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 
R00, dated December 3, 2021, specifying procedures to inspect the FMU 
BPV plug and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement 
of the FMU. This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of 
engine thrust control, IFSD, and reduced control of the aircraft. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in 
other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0100 R00, dated December 3, 2021, 
and GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 R00, dated December 3, 2021. These SBs 
specify procedures for inspecting the FMU BPV plug and replacing the 
FMU on GE GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines. 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires a shim check inspection of the FMU BPV plug and, 
depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the FMU.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies foregoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule. 
On July 20, 2021, a Boeing model 747-8F airplane, powered by GEnx-2B67/
P model turbofan engines, experienced an IFSD and ATB due to a fuel 
system leak. This unsafe condition, caused by improper torquing of the 
FMU BPV plug, may result in the loss of engine thrust control, IFSD, 
and reduced control of the aircraft.
    The FAA considers inspection of the FMU BPV plug to be an urgent 
safety issue. Inspection of the FMU BPV plug must be accomplished 
within 150 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. The FAA 
estimates that engines affected by this AD will accumulate 150 flight 
cycles within approximately 90 days of the effective date of this AD. 
These conditions still exist, therefore, notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and 
comment.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0101 and Project Identifier 
AD-2021-01456-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Alexei 
Marqueen, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that the FAA receives 
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the 
public docket for this rulemaking.

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 prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 114 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shim check inspection of FMU BPV plug.  0.50 work-hours x $85                 $0          $42.50          $4,845
                                         per hour = $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 9434]]

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacement 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 this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the FMU with a FMU that has undergone   8 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $200            $880
 packing replacement.                            $680.
                                                                                 -------------------------------
Replace the FMU...............................  7 work-hours x $85 per hour =            727,317         727,912
                                                 $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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, 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.

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:

2022-04-07 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21949; Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0101; Project Identifier AD-2021-01456-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 9, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64, 
GEnx-1B64/P1, GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, 
GEnx-1B70, GEnx-1B70/75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-
1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/
75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-
2B67/P model turbofan engines with:
    (1) A fuel metering unit (FMU) VIN 8062-1094 part number (P/N) 
2122M20P07, VIN 8062-1176 P/N 2122M20P08, VIN 8062-1106 P/N 
2459M17P01, or VIN 8062-1177 P/N 2459M17P02, installed; and
    (2) An FMU having a serial number (S/N) identified in Paragraph 
4, Appendix A, Table 1, of either GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 
73-0100 R00, dated December 3, 2021 (GEnx-1B SB 73-0100), or GE 
GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 R00, dated December 3, 2021 (GEnx-2B SB 73-0092).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7320, Fuel 
Controlling System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an 
engine and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that 
revealed an improperly torqued FMU bypass valve (BPV) plug. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent fuel system leakage from the FMU. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of 
engine thrust control, IFSD, and reduced control of the aircraft.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 150 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, perform either an on-wing or off-wing shim check inspection 
using a 0.005 inch feeler gauge of the FMU BPV plug to verify the 
FMU BPV plug is properly installed using the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(4) or paragraph 3.B.(3), of GEnx-1B SB 
73-0100 (for GEnx-1B models) or the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 3.A.(4) or paragraph 3.B.(3), of GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 (for 
GEnx-2B models), as applicable. Perform the shim check inspection on 
any flat side of the FMU BPV plug.
    (2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, the 0.005 inch feeler gauge can fit between the FMU BPV 
plug and the FMU housing on the flat side, before further flight, 
remove the FMU and replace with an FMU eligible for installation.

(h) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``FMU eligible for installation'' 
is:
    (1) An FMU having a S/N that is not identified in Paragraph 4, 
Appendix A, Table 1, of GEnx-1B SB 73-0100 or GEnx-2B SB 73-0092;
    (2) An FMU having a S/N identified in Paragraph 4, Appendix A, 
Table 1, of GEnx-1B SB 73-0100 or GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 that passes the 
shim check inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD; or
    (3) An FMU having a S/N identified in Paragraph 4, Appendix A, 
Table 1, of GEnx-1B SB 73-0100 or GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 that fails the 
shim check inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD but 
has had the packing of the FMU BPV plug replaced per the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C. of GEnx-1B 73-0100 or 
GEnx-2B 73-0092.

(i) 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

[[Page 9435]]

appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Alexei Marqueen, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7178; email: 
[email protected].

(k) 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) General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 
73-0100 R00, dated December 3, 2021.
    (ii) GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 R00, dated December 3, 2021.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: [email protected]; 
website: https://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 February 15, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03787 Filed 2-17-22; 11:15 am]
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