Proposed Rule2021-25870
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 29, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) Passport 20-17BB1A, Passport 20- 18BB1A, and Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing quality escape that requires a reduction to the life limit of certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disks. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the GE Passport 20 Line Maintenance Manual and the operator's existing approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP) to incorporate a reduced life limit for certain HPT rotor stage 1 disks. 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 226 (Monday, November 29, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 226 (Monday, November 29, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67669-67671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25870]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1016; Project Identifier AD-2021-00625-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) Passport 20-17BB1A, Passport 20-
18BB1A, and Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines. This proposed AD
was prompted by a report of a manufacturing quality escape that
requires a reduction to the life limit of certain high-pressure turbine
(HPT) rotor stage 1 disks. This proposed AD would require revising the
Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the GE Passport 20 Line
Maintenance Manual and the operator's existing approved continuous
airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP) to incorporate a reduced life
limit for certain HPT rotor stage 1 disks. 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 13,
2022.
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
[[Page 67670]]
Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2c3d4cbc3d6cbcdcc8cc4cec7c7d6d1d7d2d2cdd0d6e2c5c78cc1cdcf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="accddac5cdd8c5c3c282cac0c9c9d8dfd9dcdcc3ded8eccbc982cfc3c1">[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
(817) 222-5110.
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-2021-1016; 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#f1a2929e8585dfbcdfa2859487949f829e9fb1979090df969e87"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c695a5a9b2b2e88be895b2a3b0a3a8b5a9a886a0a7a7e8a1a9b0">[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-2021-1016; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00625-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 GE of a manufacturing quality escape
that identified a certain population of HPT rotor stage 1 disks that
did not meet the design specification. GE determined that machining and
inspection of the affected HPT rotor stage 1 disks was inconsistent
with the engineering drawing. Further analysis by GE determined that
the nonconformance at the forward and aft hooks of the HPT rotor stage
1 disks may cause the disks to fail prematurely and, therefore, the
life limit of the affected HPT rotor stage 1 disks require reduction.
As a result, GE decreased the life limit of the affected HPT rotor
stage 1 disks. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to 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 Service Bulletin PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0116-00A-
930A-D, Issue 002, dated July 22, 2021. This service information
describes procedures for removing a certain population of HPT rotor
stage 1 disks from service and provides serial numbers of the affected
HPT rotor stage 1 disks.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the GE Passport
20 Line Maintenance Manual, GEK 112062, and the operator's existing
approved CAMP to incorporate a reduced life limit for certain HPT rotor
stage 1 disks.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 78 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
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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Revise the ALS of the Line Maintenance 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $6,630
Manual and the operator's existing hour = $85.
approved CAMP.
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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
[[Page 67671]]
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-2021-1016; Project
Identifier AD-2021-00625-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 13, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) Passport 20-
17BB1A, Passport 20-18BB1A, and Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan
engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a manufacturing quality escape that
requires a reduction to the life limit for certain HPT rotor stage 1
disks. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT
rotor stage 1 disk. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, and damage
to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Action
Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
airworthiness limitations section of the existing maintenance manual
for your engine and the operator's existing approved continuous
airworthiness maintenance program by adding Figure 1 to paragraph
(g) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP29NO21.007
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Where Figure 1 to paragraph (g) refers
to ``Life Cycles,'' for the purpose of this AD, this refers to life
cycles since new.
(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
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c988878ce4888de48884868a89afa8a8e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dd9c9398f09c99f09c90929e9dbbbcbcf3bab2ab">[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#83d0e0ecf7f7adceadd0f7e6f5e6edf0ecedc3e5e2e2ade4ecf5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fba898948f8fd5b6d5a88f9e8d9e95889495bb9d9a9ad59c948d">[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#80e1f6e9e1f4e9efeeaee6ece5e5f4f3f5f0f0eff2f4c0e7e5aee3efed"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6706110e06130e080949010b020213141217170815132700024904080a">[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 (817) 222-5110.
Issued on November 22, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25870 Filed 11-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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