Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S. A. CFM56-5B Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 251 (Wednesday, December 31, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80296-80297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-31189]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1353; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-46-AD; 
Amendment 39-15779; AD 2009-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S. A. CFM56-5B 
Series 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 CFM 
International, S. A. CFM56-5B series turbofan engines. This AD requires 
reviewing exhaust gas temperature (EGT) monitoring records to determine 
EGT deterioration margin, and for airplanes where both engines have 
greater than 80[deg] centigrade (C) deterioration of EGT margin, 
borescope-inspecting the high-pressure compressor (HPC) of both 
engines. This AD also requires removing from service any engine that 
does not pass the borescope inspection, and if both engines pass, 
removing and replacing one of the engines with an engine that has 80 
[deg]C or less deterioration of EGT margin. This AD also requires 
continuous monitoring of EGT margin on engines in service, to prevent 
two engines on an airplane from having greater than 80 [deg]C of 
deterioration of EGT margin. This AD results from an Airbus A321 
airplane powered by CFM56-5B1/P turbofan engines experiencing HPC 
stalls during climb out after takeoff. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent HPC stalls, which could prevent continued safe flight or 
landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 31, 2008.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by March 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Docket Management Facility, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building, Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen K. Sheely, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7750; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 15, 2008, an Airbus A321 
airplane powered by CFM56-5B1/P turbofan engines experienced HPC stalls 
in both engines during climb out after takeoff. The flight crew 
restored power to both engines by retarding the throttles to flight 
idle. The crew continued the climb out phase of the flight, declared an 
emergency, and returned to the airport without incident. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in HPC stalls, which could 
prevent continued safe flight 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, S. A. CFM56-5B series turbofan 
engines of the same type design. For that reason, we are issuing this 
AD to prevent HPC stalls, which could prevent continued safe flight or 
landing. This AD requires the following:
    <bullet> Reviewing EGT monitoring records to determine EGT 
deterioration margin; and
    <bullet> For airplanes where both engines have greater than 80 
[deg]C deterioration of EGT margin, doing the following:
    <bullet> Borescope-inspecting HPC stages 1, 3, 6, and 9 of both 
engines.
    <bullet> Removing from service any engine that does not pass the 
borescope inspection; and
    <bullet> If both engines pass the borescope inspection, then 
removing one of the engines from service and replacing it with an 
engine that has 80 [deg]C or less deterioration of EGT margin.

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.

Interim Actions

    These actions are interim actions and we anticipate further 
rulemaking actions in the future, including further action to address 
the remaining engines in service that are above 80 [deg]C deterioration 
of EGT margin.

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-2008-1353; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-46-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://www.regulations.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 
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including, if provided, 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).

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as 
the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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

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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 this AD:
    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:

2009-01-01 CFM International, S. A.: Amendment 39-15779. Docket No. 
FAA-2008-1353; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-46-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
31, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to CFM International, S. A. CFM56-5B1, -5B2, 
-5B4, -5B5, -5B6, -5B7, -5B1/P, -5B2/P, -5B3/P, -5B3/P1, -5B4/P, -
5B5/P, -5B6/P, -5B7/P, -5B8/P, -5B9/P, -5B1/2P, -5B2/2P, -5B3/2P, -
5B3/2P1, -5B4/2P, -5B6/2P, -5B4/P1, -5B4/2P1, and -5B9/2P turbofan 
engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus 
A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from an Airbus A321 airplane powered by 
CFM56-5B1/P turbofan engines experiencing high-pressure compressor 
(HPC) stalls during climb out after takeoff. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent HPC stalls, which could prevent continued safe flight 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.
    (f) Within 14 days of the effective date of this AD do the 
following:
    (1) Review exhaust gas temperature (EGT) monitoring records to 
determine EGT deterioration margin.
    (2) For airplanes where both engines have greater than 80[deg] 
centigrade (C) deterioration of EGT margin, do the following:
    (i) Borescope-inspect HPC stages 1, 3, 6, and 9 of both engines. 
Information on borescope inspection of the HPC can be found in the 
aircraft maintenance manual.
    (ii) Remove from service any engine that does not pass the 
borescope inspection requirements found in the aircraft maintenance 
manual.
    (iii) If both engines pass the borescope inspection, then remove 
one of the engines from service and replace it with an engine that 
has 80 [deg]C or less deterioration of EGT margin.
    (3) Continue monitoring EGT margin on engines in service, to 
prevent two engines on an airplane from having greater than 80 
[deg]C deterioration of EGT margin. Information on monitoring EGT 
can be found in CFM International, S. A. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
CFM56-5B S/B 72-0722, dated December 22, 2008.

Interim Actions

    (g) These actions are interim actions and we anticipate further 
rulemaking actions in the future, including further action to 
address the remaining engines in service that are above 80 [deg]C 
deterioration of EGT margin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (i) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0227-E, 
dated December 23, 2008, and CFM International, S. A. SB No. CFM56-
5B S/B 72-0722, dated December 22, 2008, for related information.
    (j) Contact CFM International, S. A., Technical Publications 
Department, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone (513) 
552-2800; fax (513) 552-2816, for a copy of this service bulletin.
    (k) Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France, for a copy of the aircraft maintenance manual.
    (l) Contact Stephen K. Sheely, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7750; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 23, 2008.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-31189 Filed 12-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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