Airworthiness directives: General Electric Co.,
[Federal Register: September 18, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 180)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53106-53108]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18se07-5]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25239; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-23-AD; Amendment 39-15196; AD 2007-19-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Aircraft Engine Group (GEAE) CF6-45A Series, CF6-50A, CF6-50C Series and CF6-50E Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GEAE CF6-45A, -45A2, -50A, -50C, -50CA, -50C1, -50C2, -50C2B, -50C2D, - 50C2F, -50C2R, -50E, -50E1, - 50E2, and -50E2B turbofan engines. This AD requires replacing the compressor discharge pressure (CDP) restoring spring assembly on certain main engine controls (MECs) or re-marking MECs that already incorporate GEAE Service Bulletin (SB) No. CF6-50 S/B 73-0119, dated March 21, 2005. This AD results from reports of five events involving fractured CDP restoring spring assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine thrust control that could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 23, 2007. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of October 23, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD from General Electric Company via GE-Aviation, Attn: Distributions, 111 Merchant St., Room 230, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246; telephone (513) 552- 3272; fax (513) 552-3329.
The Docket Operations office is located at U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238- 7773; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to GEAE CF6-45A, -45A2, - 50A, -50C, -50CA, -50C1, -50C2, -50C2B, -50C2D, -50C2F, -50C2R, -50E, - 50E1, -50E2, and -50E2B turbofan engines. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on May 31, 2007 (74 FR 30300). That action proposed to require replacing the CDP restoring spring assembly on certain MECs and re-marking MECs that already incorporate GEAE SB No. CF6-50 S/B 73-0119, dated March 21, 2005 or GEAE SB No. CF6-50 S/B 73- 0119, Revision 01, dated May 26, 2006.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comments received. The commenters support the proposal.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 756 GEAE CF6-45A, - 50C, and -50E series turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 40 work-hours per engine to perform the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $1,787 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $3,770,172.
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.
[[Page 53107]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0 Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration 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:
2007-19-06 General Electric Company Aircraft Engine Group: Amendment 39-15196. Docket No. FAA-2006-25239; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE- 23-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 23, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to General Electric Company Aircraft Engine Group (GEAE) CF6-45A, 45A2, -50A, -50C, -50CA, -50C1, -50C2, -50C2B, -50C2D, -50C2F, -50C2R, -50E, -50E1, -50E2, and -50E2B turbofan engines that have a main engine control (MEC) with a part number (P/ N) specified in Table 1 of this AD installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300 series airplanes, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, KC-10, and MD-10 series airplanes, and Boeing 747 series airplanes.
Table 1.--Affected Woodward and GEAE P/Ns for MECs by Engine Model Series
Engine model series
Woodward P/N
GEAE P/N
CF6-50A, -50C, -50CA, -50C1, -50C2, -
8062-275
9070M55P42 50C2B, -50C2D, -50C2F, -50C2R......
8062-279
9070M55P44 8062-287
9070M55P49 8062-289
9070M55P51 8062-819 9070M55P101 8062-822 9070M55P102 8062-824 9070M55P103 8062-823 9070M55P104 8062-826 9070M55P105 8062-827 9070M55P106 8062-828 9070M55P107 8062-829 9070M55P108 CF6-45A, -45A2, -50E, -50E1, -50E2, -
8062-276
9187M29P10 50E2B..............................
8062-280
9187M29P11 8062-290
9187M29P14 8062-291
9187M29P15 8062-817 9187M29P100 8062-820 9187M29P101 8062-896
9187M29P22 8062-897
9187M29P23 8062-898
9187M29P20 8062-899
9187M29P21
(d) This AD results from reports of five events involving fractured compressor discharge pressure (CDP) restoring spring assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine thrust control that could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
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 CDP Restoring Spring Assembly on CF6-50A Engines and -50C Series Engines
(f) For CF6-50A model engines and -50C series engines that have an MEC that has a P/N listed in Table 1 of this AD, replace the CDP restoring spring assembly as follows in Table 2 of this AD:
Table 2.--Compliance Schedule for CF6-50A and -50C Engines
If the CDP restoring spring assembly in your MEC
Then
By
Use
(1) Was already replaced using GEAE Re-mark the MEC........ The next time the MEC Paragraph 3.A. of the CF6-50 S/B 73-0119, dated March 21,
is routed for repair Accomplishment 2005.
such as the next MEC Instructions of SB No. shop visit.
CF6-50 S/B 73-0119, Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007. (2) Was already replaced within
Replace the spring The first MEC shop Paragraph 3.A. of the 10,000 or fewer hours time-in-
assembly and remark visit or engine shop Accomplishment service (TIS) before the effective the MEC.
visit after the MEC Instructions of SB No. date of this AD, and the replacement
exceeds 10,000 hours CF6-50 S/B 73-0119, spring assembly (P/N 3018-248) had
TIS, but do not exceed Revision 02, dated zero hours TIS.
20,000 hours TIS.
March 9, 2007. (3) Has more then 10,000 hours TIS... Replace the spring The next MEC shop visit Paragraph 3.A. of the assembly and remark or engine shop visit Accomplishment the MEC.
whichever occurs first. Instructions of SB No. CF6-50 S/B 73-0119, Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007.
[[Page 53108]]
Replacing the CDP Restoring Spring Assembly on CF6-45A and -50E Series Engines
(g) For CF6-45A series and -50E series engines that have an MEC that has a P/N listed in Table 1 of this AD, replace the CDP restoring spring assembly as follows in Table 3 of this AD:
Table 3.--Compliance Schedule for CF6-45A and -50E Engines
If the CDP restoring spring assembly in your MEC
Then
By
Use
(1) Was already replaced within
Replace the spring The first MEC shop Paragraph 3.A. of the 10,000 or fewer hours time-in-
assembly and remark visit or engine shop Accomplishment service (TIS) before the effective the MEC.
visit after the MEC Instructions of SB No. date of this AD, and the replacement
exceeds 10,000 hours CF6-50 S/B 73-0120, spring assembly (P/N 3018-248) had
TIS, but do not exceed dated March 21, 2007. zero hours TIS.
20,000 hours TIS. (2) Has more then 10,000 hours TIS... Replace the spring The next MEC shop visit Paragraph 3.A. of the assembly and remark or engine shop visit Accomplishment the MEC.
whichever occurs first. Instructions of SB No. CF6-50 S/B 73-0120, dated March 21, 2007.
Definition
(h) For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is induction of the engine or MEC into the shop for any cause.
Installation Prohibition
(i) After the effective date of the AD, do not install an MEC that:
(1) Has not complied with SB No. CF6-50 S/B 73-0119, Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007 or earlier revision, or SB No. CF6-50 S/B 73-0120, dated March 21, 2007, or
(2) Has not had the CDP restoring spring replaced with a spring assembly, P/N 3018-248, or FAA-approved equivalent spring assembly, within the previous 10,000 hours of MEC operation.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(j) 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
(k) None.
(l) Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use the service information specified in Table 4 to perform the replacements required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the documents listed in Table 4 of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact General Electric Company via GE- Aviation, Attn: Distributions, 111 Merchant St., Room 230, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246; telephone (513) 552-3272; fax (513) 552- 3329, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html .
Table 4.--Incorporation by Reference
Service Bulletin No.
Page
Revision
Date
CF6-50 S/B 73-0119............. ALL.................... 02..................... March 9, 2007.
Total Pages--11 CF6-50 S/B 73-0120............. ALL.................... Original............... March 21, 2007.
Total Pages--11
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 7, 2007. Peter A. White, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18134 Filed 9-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
