Airworthiness Directives; CFE Company Engines

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 9, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56193-56195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14939]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0461; Project Identifier AD-2023-00994-E; 
Amendment 39-22767; AD 2024-12-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFE Company Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain CFE Company (CFE) Model CFE738-1-1B engines. This AD was 
prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed certain high-
pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 and stage 2 disks were manufactured from 
powder metal material suspected to contain iron inclusion. This AD 
requires replacement of affected HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks with 
parts eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 13, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 13, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0461; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For CFE material, contact CFE Company, 111 S 34th Street, 
Phoenix, AZ 85034; phone: (800) 601-3099; email: 
[email protected]; website: aerospace.honeywell.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section,

[[Page 56194]]

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 under Docket 
No. FAA-2024-0461.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone: (781) 238-7178; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would that apply to certain CFE Model 
CFE738-1-1B engines with HPT stage 1 and HPT stage 2 disks installed. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2024 (89 FR 
16710). The NPRM was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that 
revealed certain HPT stage 1 and HPT stage 2 disks, installed on 
certain CFE738-1-1B model engines, were manufactured from powder metal 
material suspected to contain iron inclusion. Further investigation by 
the manufacturer determined that the iron inclusion is attributed to 
deficiencies in the manufacturing process and may cause reduced 
material properties and a lower fatigue life capability, which may 
result in structural failure. The manufacturer also informed the FAA 
that additional risk assessments determined that there were no failed 
events associated with the discovery of this iron inclusion material, 
however concluded that replacement of the affected HPT stage 1 and HPT 
stage 2 disks is necessary. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 
replacement of affected HPT stage 1 and HPT stage 2 disks with parts 
eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this 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.

Related Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed CFE Service Bulletin CFE738-72-A8082, dated July 
4, 2023, which specifies the affected part and serial numbers of the 
HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks and specifies replacement instructions 
for the affected parts. This material 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 29 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT stage 1 disk (25 engines).  8 work-hours x $85 per           $78,797         $79,477      $1,986,925
                                         hour = $680.
Replace HPT stage 2 disk (4 engines)..  8 work-hours x $85 per            56,268          56,948         227,792
                                         hour = $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,
    (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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2024-12-03 CFE Company: Amendment 39-22767; Docket No. FAA-2024-
0461; Project Identifier AD-2023-00994-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 13, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to CFE Company (CFE) Model CFE738-1-1B engines 
with an installed high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 disk or HPT 
stage 2 disk with a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) 
identified in Section 1. Planning Information, paragraph E. 
Compliance, Tables 2 and 3 of CFE Service

[[Page 56195]]

Bulletin (SB) CFE738-72-A8082, dated July 4, 2023 (CFE738-72-A8082).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that 
revealed certain HPT stage 1 disks and HPT stage 2 disks were 
manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron 
inclusion. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent premature fracture 
and consequent uncontained failure. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in uncontained debris 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

    At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) 
of this AD, remove each affected HPT stage 1 disk and HPT stage 2 
disk from service and replace with a part eligible for installation, 
in accordance with steps (1) through (9) in paragraph B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of CFE738-72-A8082.
    (1) For affected HPT stage 1 disks, at the next piece-part 
exposure or before exceeding 2,450 cycles since new (CSN), whichever 
occurs first.
    (2) For affected HPT stage 2 disks, at the next piece-part 
exposure or before exceeding 2,930 CSN, whichever occurs first.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD:
    (1) A ``part eligible for installation'' is any HPT stage 1 disk 
or HPT stage 2 disk with a P/N and S/N that is not identified in 
Section 1. Planning Information, paragraph E. Compliance, Tables 2 
and 3 of CFE738-72-A8082.
    (2) ``Piece-part exposure'' is when the affected part is removed 
from the engine.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued 
Operational Safety Branch, 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, FAA, 2200 South 216th Steet, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; 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 material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) CFE Service Bulletin CFE738-72-A8082, dated July 4, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For CFE material, contact CFE Company, 111 S 34th Street, 
Phoenix, AZ 85034; phone: (800) 601-3099; email: 
[email protected]; website: aerospace.honeywell.com.
    (4) You may view this material 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 material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on June 11, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-14939 Filed 7-8-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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