Proposed Rule2021-24071
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
November 5, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6- 80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, and CF6-80C2A8 model turbofan engines with an installed left-hand rear mount link assembly, part number (P/N) 1846M23G01. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer reducing the life limit for the affected left-hand rear mount link assembly. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the GE CF6-80C2 Engine Manual, GEK92451, and the operator's existing approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 212 (Friday, November 5, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 212 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61086-61087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24071]
[[Page 61086]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0949; Project Identifier AD-2021-00115-E]
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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6-
80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, and CF6-80C2A8 model turbofan engines
with an installed left-hand rear mount link assembly, part number (P/N)
1846M23G01. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer reducing
the life limit for the affected left-hand rear mount link assembly.
This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations
section (ALS) of the GE CF6-80C2 Engine Manual, GEK92451, and the
operator's existing approved continuous airworthiness maintenance
program (CAMP). 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 December
20, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 NPRM, contact General
Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, phone: (513)
552-3272; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e687908f87928f8988c8808a83839295939696899492a68783c88183c885898b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="78190e11190c111716561e141d1d0c0b0d0808170a0c38191d561f1d561b1715">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://www.ge.com">www.ge.com</a>.
You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0949; 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, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Stevenson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6437070b10104a294a37100112010a170b0a240205054a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fead9d918a8ad0b3d0ad8a9b889b908d9190be989f9fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0949; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00115-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Scott
Stevenson, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA received a report from the manufacturer reducing the life
limit for the affected left-hand rear mount link assembly. The left-
hand rear mount link assembly was redesigned and certified in 1999, and
the FAA subsequently issued AD 2000-12-08 (65 FR 39536, June 27, 2000),
mandating the replacement of the affected left-hand rear mount link
assembly with a part eligible for installation. Later, analysis from
the aircraft manufacturer of stress loads in their extended service
goal mission profile revealed loads during the take-off phase that were
not included at certification. These additional loads result in a
reduced life limit on the left-hand rear mount link assembly. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in separation of the engine
from the airplane, and loss of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GE CF6-80C2 Temporary Revision (TR) 05-0276, dated
July 13, 2021 (GE TR 05-0276), and GE CF6-80C2 TR 05-0277, dated July
9, 2021 (GE TR 05-0277). GE TR 05-0276 and GE TR 05-277 provide the new
life limit to be updated into the ALS, for the affected left-hand rear
mount link assembly, in the GE CF6-80C2 Engine Manual, GEK92451.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the GE CF6-80C
Engine Manual, GEK92451, as applicable to each affected engine model,
and the operator's existing approved CAMP to incorporate a reduced life
limit for the affected left-hand rear mount link assembly, P/N
1846M23G01.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 220
[[Page 61087]]
engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Revise ALS of Engine Manual and the 2 work-hour x $85 per $0 $170 $37,400
operator's existing approved CAMP. hour = $170.
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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.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2021-0949; Project
Identifier AD-2021-00115-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 20, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A1,
CF6-80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, and CF6-80C2A8
model turbofan engines with an installed left-hand rear mount link
assembly, part number (P/N) 1846M23G01.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7120, Engine Mount
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report from the manufacturer on an
updated analysis of stress loads during take-off, which revealed a
stress increase with take-off phase loads that were not included at
certification. The FAA is issuing this AD to lower the life limit of
the left-hand rear mount link assembly and prevent the failure of
the engine mount system. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in separation of the engine from the airplane, and loss
of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
Airworthiness Limitations section of the GE CF6-80C2 Engine Manual,
GEK92451, and the operator's existing approved continuous
airworthiness maintenance program, by reducing the life limit of the
left-hand rear mount link assembly, P/N 1846M23G01, from 50,000
flight cycles (FCs) to 23,800 FCs.
(h) 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
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6b2a252e462a2f462a2624282b0d0a0a450c041d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bdfcf3f890fcf990fcf0f2fefddbdcdc93dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Stevenson,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bdeeded2c9c993f093eec9d8cbd8d3ced2d3fddbdcdc93dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="396a5a564d4d1774176a4d5c4f5c574a5657795f5858175e564f">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215;
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1677607f77627f797838707a737362656366667964625677733871733875797b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ccadbaa5adb8a5a3a2e2aaa0a9a9b8bfb9bcbca3beb88cada9e2aba9e2afa3a1">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: <a href="http://www.ge.com">www.ge.com</a>. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(781) 238-7759.
Issued on October 27, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24071 Filed 11-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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