Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38647-38650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13710]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0691; Project Identifier AD-2022-00601-E; 
Amendment 39-22098; AD 2022-13-12]
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 all 
General Electric Company (GE) GE Passport 20-17BB1A, GE Passport 20-
18BB1A, and GE Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines. This AD was 
prompted by fuel leakage from the fuel nozzle to fuel manifold coupling 
nut connections. This AD requires a visual inspection of the core 
compartment, a re-torque of the core compartment coupling nuts, a 
ground power assurance check, and a borescope

[[Page 38648]]

inspection. Depending on the results of the inspections, this AD 
requires operators to perform applicable maintenance in accordance with 
their FAA-approved instructions for continued airworthiness. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 14, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 14, 
2022.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 15, 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) 552-5387; email: [email protected]; website: 
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-2022-0691.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0691; 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: Scott Stevenson, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7132; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 31, 2022, and April 4, 2022, two Bombardier Inc. BD-700-
2A12 airplanes (marketed as Global 7500 airplanes), powered by GE 
Passport P20-19BB1A and GE Passport P20-18BB1A model turbofan engines, 
respectively, experienced an engine fire during flight. The engine fire 
on the GE Passport P20-19BB1A resulted in a commanded in-flight 
shutdown (IFSD) and air turnback (ATB). The engine fire on the GE 
Passport P20-18BB1A resulted in an ATB. A subsequent investigation by 
the manufacturer found evidence of fuel leakage on the lower outboard 
core panel, aft end of the bifi plate, ignition lead, and fuel manifold 
B-nut connections. The investigation also found that fuel nozzle to 
fuel manifold B-nut connections were under-torqued on both event 
engines and the fuel leak at the fuel nozzle B-nut connections likely 
caused the engine fires. As a result, the manufacturer published GE 
Service Bulletin (SB) PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0141-00A-930A-D, Issue No 000, 
dated April 12, 2022, and GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D, 
Issue No 001, dated May 11, 2022. The service information specifies 
procedures for the performance of a visual inspection of the fuel 
nozzle zone in the core compartment for indications of fuel leakage, 
undetected fire, or heat distress, re-torque of the coupling nuts in 
the core compartment, a ground power assurance check, and a borescope 
inspection. This condition, if not addressed, could result in engine 
fire, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the 
airplane. 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 SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D, Issue No 
001, dated May 11, 2022 (GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142). GE SB 
PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142 specifies procedures for the performance of a 
visual inspection, a re-torque of the coupling nuts in the core 
compartment, a ground power assurance check, and a borescope 
inspection. 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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0141-00A-930A-D, Issue No 
000, dated April 12, 2022 (GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0141). GE SB 
PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0141 specifies procedures for the performance of a 
borescope inspection of the core compartment for indications of fuel 
leak or fire.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires a visual inspection of the core compartment, re-
torque of the core compartment coupling nuts, a ground power assurance 
check, and a borescope inspection. Depending on the results of the 
inspections, this AD requires operators to perform applicable 
maintenance in accordance with their FAA-approved instructions for 
continued airworthiness.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D specifies procedures for 
reporting information to the manufacturer. This AD does not require 
operators to report information to the manufacturer.
    GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D specifies procedures for 
contacting a GE field service engineer or 24/7 Business Aviation 
Support. This AD does not require operators to contact a GE field 
service engineer or 24/7 Business Aviation Support. Instead, this AD 
requires following an FAA-approved method to return the engine to 
service.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. This unsafe 
condition is still under investigation by the manufacturer and, 
depending on the results of that investigation, the FAA may consider 
further rulemaking action.

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

[[Page 38649]]

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. 
The FAA considers fuel leakage and engine fire to be an urgent safety 
issue. The visual inspection of the core compartment is necessary to 
prevent engine fire, IFSD, damage to the airplane, failure of the 
engine, and loss of control of the airplane. All GE Passport 20-17BB1A, 
Passport 20-18BB1A, and Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines are 
equipped with fuel nozzle to fuel manifold coupling nut connections 
which were determined by the manufacturer to have the potential for 
under-torqueing, following two incidents of engine fire on airplanes 
wherein a fuel leak at the fuel nozzle coupling nut connection was 
likely the cause of the fire. Affected engines must undergo a visual 
inspection before exceeding 30, 50, or 75 flight cycles (FCs) after the 
effective date of this AD, depending on the engine's cycles since new 
(CSN). Re-torque of the core compartment coupling nuts is required 
within 30 or 100 FCs after the effective date of the AD, depending on 
the engine serial number. Current fleet utilization data estimates the 
flight cycles will be accumulated between 30 and 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD. For affected engines with indications of 
fuel leakage, undetected fire, or heat distress following a visual 
inspection of the core compartment, this AD requires operators to 
perform applicable maintenance in accordance with their FAA-approved 
instructions for continued airworthiness. Accordingly, 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-2022-0691 and Project Identifier 
AD-2022-00601-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 Scott 
Stevenson, 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 the 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 42 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visual inspection of core compartment.  2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170          $7,140
                                         hour = $170.
Re-torque core compartment coupling     31 work-hours x $85 per                0           2,635         110,670
 nuts.                                   hour = $2,635.
Ground power assurance check and        4 work-hours x $85 per                 0             340          14,280
 borescope inspection.                   hour = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 38650]]

    (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:

2022-13-12 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22098; Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0691; Project Identifier AD-2022-00601-E.

(a) Effective Date

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

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE Passport 20-
17BB1A, GE Passport 20-18BB1A, and GE Passport 20-19BB1A model 
turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine 
Combustion Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple engine fires that have occurred 
as a result of fuel leakage from the fuel nozzle to fuel manifold 
coupling nut connections. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fuel 
leakage from the fuel nozzle to fuel manifold coupling nut 
connections. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
engine fire, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For all affected engines, within the compliance times 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, perform 
a visual inspection of the core compartment for indications of fuel 
leakage, undetected fire, and heat distress:
    (i) For engines with less than or equal to 150 cycles since new 
(CSN) as of the effective date of this AD, inspect before exceeding 
30 flight cycles (FCs) after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) For engines with 151 to 200 CSN as of the effective date of 
this AD, inspect before exceeding 50 FCs after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (iii) For engines with greater than 200 CSN as of the effective 
date of this AD, inspect before exceeding 75 FCs after the effective 
date of this AD.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Guidance for accomplishing the 
actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD can be found in GE 
Service Bulletin (SB) PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0141-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 
000, dated April 12, 2022, or GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-
930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated May 11, 2022 (GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-
0142-00A-930A-D).
    (2) If, during the visual inspection required by paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD, there are indications of fuel leakage, undetected 
fire, or heat distress, before further flight, perform applicable 
maintenance in accordance with the FAA-approved instructions for 
continued airworthiness.
    (3) For engines with engine serial number (ESN) 904257 or 
higher, before exceeding 30 FCs after the effective date of the AD, 
re-torque the core compartment coupling nuts in accordance with 
Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (8) through 
(24) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D.
    (4) For engines with ESN 904256 or lower, before exceeding 100 
FCs after the effective date of the AD, re-torque the core 
compartment coupling nuts in accordance with Accomplishment 
Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (8) through (24) of GE SB 
PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D.
    (5) For all affected engines, before further flight after 
performing the required actions in paragraph (g)(3) or (4), as 
applicable, perform a ground power assurance check and a borescope 
inspection of the core compartment in accordance with Accomplishment 
Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (32) through (38) of GE SB 
PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D.

(h) Exception to the Service Information

    Where GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D specifies 
contacting ``your GE field service engineer or 24/7 Business 
Aviation Support,'' this AD requires the engine to be serviced using 
FAA-approved maintenance procedures.

(i) No Reporting Requirements

    The reporting requirements in the Accomplishment Instructions, 
6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (11), (14), (18), (20), (23) and (36) of 
GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D are not required by this 
AD.

(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 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Scott Stevenson, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7132; 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 Service Bulletin PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D, 
Issue No 001, dated May 11, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (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: 
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 June 14, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-13710 Filed 6-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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