Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. CFM56 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 19, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75854-75855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21485]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26502; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-37-AD; 
Amendment 39-14859; AD 2006-26-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. CFM56 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain CFM International CFM56 Series turbofan engines. This AD 
requires replacing certain fuel filters manufactured under parts 
manufacturer approvals (PMA). This AD results from 12 reports of failed 
fuel filters. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of engine 
thrust that could result in loss of control during takeoff or landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 3, 2007.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by February 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone 
(562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received reports of 12 PMA fuel 
filters, fuel filters part numbers WF337661 and WF337017, manufactured 
by Western Filter, and part numbers 7595983-101 and 7588133, 
manufactured by PTI Technologies, that have failed in service on CFM56-
7B engines since March 2006. These filters use a deeper pleat and are 
more susceptible to collapse or deterioration of the filter media than 
the original equipment manufacturer filters. A collapsed or 
deteriorated fuel filter can allow unfiltered fuel contamination in 
fuel components, including fuel nozzles, with no indication of fuel 
filter bypass to the flight crew. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in the loss of engine thrust that could result in loss of 
control during takeoff or landing.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other CFM International CFM56 series engines of the same 
type design. For that reason, we are issuing this AD to prevent the 
potential loss of thrust that could result in loss of control during 
takeoff or landing.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-26502; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-37-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management 
Facility Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in 
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
the DMS receives them.

[[Page 75855]]

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.
    We are 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

    We have determined that 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 the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal 
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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:

2006-26-01 CFM International, S.A.: Amendment 39-14859. Docket No. 
FAA-2006-26502; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-37-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 
3, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to CFM International CFM56-2 series, -3 
series, -5 series, and -7B series engines with fuel filters, Western 
Filter part numbers (P/Ns) WF337661 and WF337017 and PTI 
Technologies P/Ns 7595983-101 and 7588133, installed. These engines 
are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A320 and A340 series 
airplanes, Boeing DC8-71 series, -72 series, and -73 series 
airplanes, and Boeing 737 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from 12 reports of failed fuel filters. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of engine thrust that could 
result in loss of control during takeoff or landing.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Replacing the Fuel Filters on CFM56-7B Engines

    (f) For CFM56-7B engines, within 600 flight hours or 60 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace 
fuel filter, Western Filter P/Ns WF337661 or WF337017 and PTI 
Technologies P/Ns 7595983-101 or 7588133, with a filter that has a 
P/N not listed in this AD.

Replacing the Fuel Filters on CFM56-2, -3, and -5 Series Engines

    (g) For CFM56-2 series, -3 series, and -5 series engines, at the 
next filter change or 4,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first, 
after the effective date of this AD, replace fuel filter, Western 
Filter P/Ns WF337661 or WF337017 and PTI Technologies P/Ns 7595983-
101 or 7588133, with a filter that has a P/N not listed in this AD.

Prohibition Against Installing Fuel Filters with Certain P/Ns

    (h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any fuel 
filter, Western Filter P/Ns WF337661 or WF337017 or PTI Technologies 
P/Ns 7595983-101 or 7588133.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) None.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 12, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-21485 Filed 12-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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