Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 136 (Friday, July 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44744-44747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-14478]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-2717; Project Identifier AD-2025-01668-E; 
Amendment 39-23404; AD 2026-14-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric 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 General Electric Company (GE) Model 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 engines. This AD was 
prompted by a report of a fuel leak caused by a defective fuel tube 
hose connecting the main fuel-oil heat exchanger. This AD requires 
removal of all affected fuel tube hoses from service and replacement 
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 21, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 21, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.govunder 
Docket No. FAA-2026-2717; 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 GE material identified in this AD, contact GE, 1 
Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email: 
ge.com">aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com; website: ge.com.
    <bullet> 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. It is also available at 
regulations.govunder Docket No. FAA-2026-2717.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Itanza Young, Aviation Safety 
Engineer,

[[Page 44745]]

FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (206) 482-
6306; 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 apply to certain GE Model 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 
engines. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 19, 
2026 (91 FR 13238). The NPRM was prompted by a report where a Boeing 
787-8 Model airplane powered by GE Model GEnx-1B70/P2 engines 
experienced a fuel imbalance caused by a fuel leak from a fuel tube 
hose that connects the main fuel-oil heat exchanger. A manufacturer 
investigation revealed that a suspected manufacturing defect in the 
hose assembly caused the fuel tube hose to crack and leak, and the 
defect was associated with certain hose preform manufacturing lot 
numbers that were used to manufacture multiple fuel tube hose 
assemblies installed on both GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines. As a result, 
GE published service material with instructions for identifying and 
removing all affected fuel tube hoses by preform manufacturing lot 
number. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removal of all 
affected fuel tube hoses from service and replacement 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 comments from seven commenters. The commenters 
were the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), Air Tahiti 
Nui, All Nippon Airways (ANA), American Airlines (AAL), The Boeing 
Company (Boeing), Cargolux (CLX), and United Airlines (United). ALPA, 
Boeing, and United supported the NPRM without change. The following 
presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to 
each comment.

Request To Clarify Definition of Engine Shop Visit

    AAL, ANA, and CLX requested that the FAA clarify the scope of 
maintenance that is required to satisfy the definition of an engine 
shop visit in paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD. AAL requested 
clarification on whether an engine shop visit includes any engine 
removal and re-installation for maintenance purposes. Both AAL and ANA 
requested that the FAA revise the definition of engine shop visit to 
include the applicable level of work/work scope, and ANA specifically 
requested that the NPRM be revised to adopt the work scope level 
definitions established in the GE Workscope Planning Guide to ensure 
industry-wide consistency. CLX questioned whether the ``induction of an 
engine into the shop for maintenance'' should be interpreted strictly 
as a major shop visit involving module splits, or if it also includes 
other shop entry events such as off-wing preservation, post-lease 
inspections, or convenience-related activities.
    The FAA agrees that clarification is necessary and has updated 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD to define an ``engine shop visit'' as the 
induction of an engine into the shop for any maintenance. The FAA 
disagrees with the request to define an engine shop visit based on the 
GE Workscope Planning Guide because it does not provide a single, 
standardized definition of an engine shop visit. Instead, the GE 
Workscope Planning Guide provides multiple types of shop visits and 
shop visit reasons, which can vary depending on the scope of work 
performed.

Request To Add a Repetitive Inspection Requirement

    AAL requested that the FAA revise the NPRM to require inspection 
for affected fuel tube hoses at every engine shop visit. AAL stated 
that the NPRM does not propose to require operators to inspect spare 
fuel tube hose stock identified in table 1 to paragraph (c) of the 
proposed AD. AAL also questioned whether newly installed hoses must 
meet the NPRM's ``eligible for installation'' definition, and whether 
using spare stock with lot numbers 684141 or 677536 could inadvertently 
undo compliance with GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 73-0116 R00, dated 
November 4, 2025.
    The FAA disagrees with the request to require repeat inspections at 
every engine shop visit. The intent of this AD is to require the 
removal from service of fuel tube hoses identified in Table 1 to 
paragraph (c) of this AD with preform manufacturing lot numbers 684141 
or 677536, as these parts are not airworthy and should not be installed 
or reinstalled on any engine. Therefore, compliance with this service 
material would not be inadvertently undone, as it requires the purging 
of all shelf stock parts with an affected lot number from inventory. In 
addition, even if a spare part was installed, the AD would then become 
effective because that part is in the applicability and if an engine 
shop visit had already occurred after the effective date of the AD, 
removal would be immediately required in order to not be in violation 
of 14 CFR 39.7: ``Anyone who operates a product that does not meet the 
requirements of an applicable airworthiness directive is in violation 
of this section.'' The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this 
comment.

Request To Revise Reference to Affected Lot Numbers

    Air Tahiti Nui requested that the FAA revise paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(h)(2) of the proposed AD to reference the affected preform 
manufacturing lot numbers as ``lot number 684141 and/or 677536'' rather 
than ``lot number 684141 or 677536'' in order to match the GE service 
material recommendations with the recommendations of the NPRM.
    The FAA disagrees with the request because any fuel tube hose 
bearing either of the identified lot numbers must be removed, 
regardless of whether both lot numbers are present. The FAA did not 
change this AD as a result of this comment.

Request To Provide Credit for Accomplishing Previous Actions

    AAL requested that the FAA revise the NPRM to provide credit for 
accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (h) of the proposed AD 
if they were done prior to the issuance of the NPRM and in accordance 
with GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 73-0116 R00, dated November 4, 2025. 
AAL stated that because GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 73-0116 R00, dated 
November 4, 2025, is already released, there will be many engines that 
have already accomplished the required actions of the NPRM prior to its 
effective date.
    The FAA disagrees with the request because paragraph (f) of this AD 
states to accomplish the required actions within the compliance times 
specified, ``unless already done.'' Therefore, if operators have 
accomplished the actions required for compliance with this AD before 
the effective date of this AD, no further action is necessary. The FAA 
did not change this AD as a result of this comment.

Request To Cross-Reference Required Actions With Service Material

    ANA requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h) of the proposed AD 
to identify how each required action in the NPRM corresponds to the

[[Page 44746]]

accomplishment instructions of the service material. ANA stated that 
this cross-reference will ensure that the steps taken during compliance 
with the service material will perfectly align with the legal 
requirements of the NPRM, thereby ensuring complete and accurate 
regulatory compliance.
    The FAA disagrees with the request because the intent of this AD is 
to prevent cracking and fuel leakage in affected fuel tube hoses by 
requiring removal and replacement of the affected parts. The current AD 
language accomplishes this intent without requiring reference to 
specific actions within the service material. The FAA did not change 
this AD as a result of this comment.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, 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, and 
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed 
in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on 
any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0116 R00, 
dated November 4, 2025 (GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0116 R00); and GE GEnx-2B SB 
73-0108 R00, dated November 4, 2025 (GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00). This 
material specifies procedures for identification of the preform 
manufacturing lot numbers of the affected fuel cooled oil cooler (FCOC) 
fuel return hose manifold, FCOC fuel cooling inlet tube hose, heat 
exchanger fuel tube hose, and heat exchanger inlet fuel tube hose. 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 13 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 FCOC fuel return hose manifold  8 work-hours x $85 per            $1,521          $2,201         $24,211
 (11 GE Model GEnx-1B engines).          hour = $680.
Replace FCOC fuel cooling inlet tube    8 work-hours x $85 per             1,695           2,375          26,125
 hose (11 GE Model GEnx-1B engines).     hour = $680.
Replace heat exchanger fuel tube hose   8 work-hours x $85 per             1,090           1,770           3,540
 (2 GE Model GEnx-2B engines).           hour = $680.
Replace heat exchanger inlet fuel tube  8 work-hours x $85 per             1,313           1,993           3,986
 hose (2 GE Model GEnx-2B engines).      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:

2026-14-03 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-23404; Docket No. 
FAA-2026-2717; Project Identifier AD-2025-01668-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 21, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) engines 
listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD with a fuel tube hose 
installed having a part number (P/N) identified in table 1 to 
paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (1) GEnx-1B engines: Model 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, and 
GEnx-1B76A/P2.
    (2) GEnx-2B engines: Model GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-2B67/
P.

[[Page 44747]]



           Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Affected Fuel Tube Hoses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Engine model                  Part name               P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEnx-1B........................  Fuel cooled oil cooler       2426M07P01
                                  (FCOC) fuel return
                                  hose manifold.
                                 FCOC fuel cooling inlet      2426M08P01
                                  tube hose.
GEnx-2B........................  Heat exchanger fuel          2477M34P01
                                  tube hose.
                                 Heat exchanger inlet         2477M35P01
                                  fuel tube hose.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7310, Engine Fuel 
Distribution.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a fuel leak caused by a 
defective fuel tube hose connecting the main fuel-oil heat 
exchanger. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent cracking and fuel 
leakage in affected fuel tube hoses. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in uncontrolled engine fire and damage to 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD:
    (1) A ``part eligible for installation'' is any fuel tube hose 
that does not have a P/N identified in table 1 to paragraph (c) of 
this AD with preform manufacturing lot number 684141 or 677536.
    (2) An ``engine shop visit'' is the induction of an engine into 
the shop for any maintenance.

(h) Required Actions

    (1) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, identify the preform manufacturing lot number for the FCOC 
fuel return hose manifold, FCOC fuel cooling inlet tube hose, heat 
exchanger fuel tube hose, and heat exchanger inlet fuel tube hose in 
accordance with the following, as applicable:
    (i) For GEnx-1B engines, Figure 1 of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 
(SB) 73-0116 R00, dated November 4, 2025 (GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0116 
R00).
    (ii) For GEnx-2B engines, Figure 1 of GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00, 
dated November 4, 2025 (GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00).
    (2) If the preform manufacturing lot number of the affected fuel 
tube hose is 684141 or 677536, before further flight, remove the 
affected fuel tube hose and replace it with a part eligible for 
installation.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Where GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0116 R00 and GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00 
require reporting part identification for affected fuel tube hoses, 
this AD does not require that action.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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 (k) of this AD and email to: [email protected]. 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) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Itanza Young, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (206) 482-6306; email: [email protected].

(l) 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) GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0116 R00, dated November 
4, 2025.
    (ii) GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00, dated November 4, 2025.
    (3) For GE material identified in this AD, contact General 
Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 
552-3272; email: ge.com">aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com; website: ge.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 July 6, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-14478 Filed 7-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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