Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2015)
Proposed Rules
Pages 13797-13799
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2015-05897
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx turbofan engine models. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines experiencing power loss in ice crystal icing (ICI) conditions. This proposed AD would preclude the use of full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software, version B175 or earlier, in GEnx-1B engines, and the use of FADEC software, version C065 or earlier, in GEnx-2B engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 18, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7125.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0165; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomasz Rakowski, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7735; fax: 781-238-7199; email: tomasz.rakowski@faa.gov.
Page 13798
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because of those comments.
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 we receive about this NPRM.
Discussion
We propose to adopt a new AD for all GE GEnx turbofan engine models. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines experiencing power loss in ICI conditions. Five engines experienced non-serviceable mechanical damage. One engine did not recover power due to mechanical damage. This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane. This proposed AD would preclude the use of FADEC software, version B175 or earlier in GEnx-1B engines, and the use of FADEC software, version C065 or earlier, in GEnx-2B engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) No. 73-0036, dated January 6, 2015, and GE GEnx-2B SB No. 73-0035, dated September 16, 2014. The SBs describe procedures for installing FADEC software on GE GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engine models. This service information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this NPRM because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This NPRM would preclude the use of FADEC software, version B175 or earlier, in GEnx-1B engines, and the use of FADEC software, version C065 or earlier, in GEnx-2B engines.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 80 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 hour per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. No parts are required. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $6,800.
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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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
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The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by May 18, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B model turbofan engines with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software version B175 or earlier, installed, and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines with FADEC software version C065 or earlier, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines experiencing power loss in ice crystal icing (ICI) conditions. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(1) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not operate any GE GEnx-1B engine with FADEC software version B175 or earlier, installed in the electronic engine control (EEC).
(2) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not operate any GE GEnx-2B engine with FADEC software version C065 or earlier, installed in the EEC.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
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(g) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Tomasz Rakowski, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7735; fax: 781-238-7199; email: tomasz.rakowski@faa.gov.
(2) GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) No. 73-0036, dated January 6, 2015, and GE GEnx-2B SB No. 73-0035, dated September 16, 2014, which are not incorporated by reference in this proposed AD, can be obtained from GE using the contact information in paragraph (g)(3) of this proposed AD.
(3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 6, 2015.
Ann C. Mollica,
Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2015-05897 Filed 3-16-15; 8:45 am
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