Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14871-14874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04869]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0423; Project Identifier AD-2022-01525-E; 
Amendment 39-22366; AD 2023-04-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 14872]]


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) GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B model 
turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation 
which discovered that florescent penetrant inspections (FPI) were not 
performed on the dovetail pressure face of certain high-pressure 
compressor (HPC) rotor spools at overhaul. This AD requires FPI of the 
affected HPC rotor stage 7-9 spool and, depending on the results of the 
inspection, replacement with a part eligible for installation. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 27, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 27, 
2023.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 24, 2023.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-0423; 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 Docket 
Operations is listed above.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    <bullet> 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: 
ge.com">aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com.
    <bullet> 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 regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2023-0423.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Elwin, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7236; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA received a report that a GE overhaul shop internal 
investigation found that several HPC rotor stage 7-9 spools were 
shipped to operators prior to a final FPI being performed on the 
dovetail pressure face. A final FPI is performed to confirm that any 
linear indications have been removed, as indications on the HPC rotor 
stage 7-9 spool may potentially propagate and eventually lead to 
failure of the HPC rotor stage 7-9 spool. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in an in-flight shutdown, damage to the engine, 
and damage to 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 GE90-100 Service Bulletin 72-0905 R00, dated 
July 25, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for 
performing a piece-part inspection of the affected HPC rotor stage 7-9 
spools. 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, at the next shop visit after the effective date 
of this AD, performing an FPI of each affected HPC rotor stage 7-9 
spool and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement with 
a part eligible for installation.

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.
    The FAA has found the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because no domestic 
operators use this product. It is unlikely that the FAA will receive 
any adverse comments or useful information about this AD from any U.S. 
operator. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for 
the foregoing reason(s), 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.

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 ``FAA-2023-0423 Project Identifier AD-2022-01525-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 
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

[[Page 14873]]

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 Stephen Elwin, 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 0 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perform an FPI of the HPC rotor stage   5 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $425              $0
 7-9 spool.                              hour = $425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 the HPC rotor stage 7-9 spool.........  40 work-hours x $85 per hour =        $1,183,200      $1,186,600
                                                 $3,400.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2023-04-19 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22366; Docket No. 
FAA-2023-0423; Project Identifier AD-2022-01525-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 27, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and 
GE90-115B model turbofan engines with an installed high-pressure 
compressor (HPC) rotor stage 7-9 spool with part number (P/N) 
2032M23G01, P/N 2032M23G02, P/N 2676M00G01, or P/N 2676M00G02, and a 
serial number listed in paragraph 4., Appendix--A, Table 1 of GE 
GE90-100 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0905 R00, dated July 25, 2022 (GE 
SB 72-0905).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation which 
revealed that florescent penetrant inspections (FPI) were not 
performed on the dovetail pressure face of certain HPC rotor stage 
7-9 spools at overhaul. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the 
failure of the HPC rotor stage 7-9 spool. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in an in-flight shutdown, 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) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, perform an FPI of the dovetail pressure face of the 
affected HPC rotor stage 7-9 spool in accordance with the

[[Page 14874]]

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1)(a) of GE SB 72-0905.
    (2) If, during the FPI required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, 
the HPC rotor stage 7-9 spool does not meet the part serviceability 
criteria in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1)(a) of 
GE SB 72-0905, before further flight, replace the compressor rotor 
stage 7-9 spool with a part eligible for installation.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except for the 
following situations, which do not constitute an engine shop visit:
    (i) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 
transportation of the engine without subsequent maintenance; or
    (ii) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purpose of 
replacing the fan or propulsor without subsequent maintenance.

 (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 
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 it 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 Stephen Elwin, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7236; 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) GE GE90-100 Service Bulletin 72-0905 R00, dated July 25, 
2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: ge.com">aviation.fleetsupport@ae.ge.com; 
website: ge.com.
    (4) 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.
    (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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 25, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04869 Filed 3-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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