Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
| Citation | 84 FR 63820 |
| Record Number | 2019-24786 |
| Published date | 19 November 2019 |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63820-63822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24786]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0683; Product 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: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2017-09-06, which applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B
and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines. AD 2017-09-06 requires updating
electronic engine control (EEC) full authority digital electronic
control (FADEC) software and replacing a certain fan hub frame assembly
part installed on GEnx-2B turbofan engines. Since the FAA issued AD
2017-09-06, GE has developed a design change to remove the unsafe
condition. This proposed AD would require removal from service of
certain EEC FADEC software on GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan
engines and would also require replacing the affected fan hub frame
assembly booster outlet guide vanes. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 3,
2020.
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 https://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.
[[Page 63821]]
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact General
Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH
45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: [email protected]. You may view this
service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0683; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Herman Mak, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0683;
Product Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The FAA issued AD 2017-09-06, Amendment 39-18868 (82 FR 21111, May
5, 2017), (``AD 2017-09-06''), for all GE GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model
turbofan engines. AD 2017-09-06 requires replacing certain EEC FADEC
software with versions eligible for installation. AD 2017-09-06 also
requires removing from service certain GE GEnx-2B67, -2B67B, and -2B67/
P fan hub stator assembly booster outlet guide vanes. AD 2017-09-06
resulted from reports of GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines
experiencing power loss in ice crystal icing (ICI) conditions. The FAA
issued AD 2017-09-06 to prevent engine failure, loss of thrust control,
and damage to the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2017-09-06 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2017-09-06, the FAA learned that the
required actions in that AD do not adequately address the unsafe
condition. Engine rollback still occurs as ICI mitigation software
installed as required by AD 2017-09-06 does not activate during the
climb phase of airplane flight. In response, GE developed revised
software that will activate while the airplane is climbing. This AD
requires removing from service certain EEC FADEC software.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0082 R00,
dated July 9, 2019, and GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0077 R00, dated October 29,
2018. The service information describes procedures for installation of
new EEC FADEC software on GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines.
The FAA also reviewed GE GEnx-2B SB 72-0241 R00, dated March 16, 2016.
The service information describes removal and installation procedures
for the fan hub stator assembly booster outlet guide vane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD 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 proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2017-09-
06. This proposed AD would continue to require replacement of certain
fan hub stator assembly booster outlet guide vanes installed on GE
GEnx-2B67, -2B67B, and -2B67/P engines. This proposed AD would also
require removing from service certain EEC FADEC software versions
installed on GE GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 110 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates that 15
engines will require replacement of the fan hub stator assembly booster
outlet guide vanes.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Remove EEC software................ 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0 $85 $9,350
= $85.
Replace fan hub stator assembly 60 work-hours x $85 per 387,800 392,900 5,893,500
booster outlet guide vanes. hour = $5,100.
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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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service,
[[Page 63822]]
as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order,
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable
to engines, propellers, and associated appliances to the Manager,
Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has 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 that the proposed
regulation:
(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 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
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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2017-09-06, Amendment 39-18868 (82 FR 21111, May 5, 2017), and adding
the following new AD:
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2019-0683; Product
Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January 3,
2020.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2017-09-06, Amendment 39-18868 (82 FR 21111,
May 5, 2017).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B and
GEnx-2B model turbofan engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7600, Engine
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model
turbofan engines experiencing power loss in ice crystal icing
conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent engine failure.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of
thrust control and damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, for GE
GEnx-1B model turbofan engines, remove electronic engine control
(EEC) full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software,
version B195 or earlier, from the engine and from service.
(2) Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, for GE
GEnx-2B model turbofan engines, remove EEC FADEC software, version
C085 or earlier, from the engine and from service.
(3) At the next engine shop visit after June 9, 2017 (the
effective date of AD 2017-09-06), or before further flight,
whichever occurs later, remove from service all GE GEnx-2B67, -
2B67B, and -2B67/P fan hub stator assembly booster outlet guide
vanes, part number B1316-00720, and replace with a part eligible for
installation.
(h) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine case flanges, except for
the following which do not constitute an engine shop visit:
(1) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation without subsequent maintenance does not constitute an
engine shop visit.
(2) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purpose of
replacing the fan or propulsor without subsequent maintenance does
not constitute an engine shop visit.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, ECO 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
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. You may email your
request to: [email protected].
(2) 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Herman Mak,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way,
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: [email protected].
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Engine
and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 12, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-24786 Filed 11-18-19; 8:45 am]
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