Rule2021-27480
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
December 21, 2021
Effective
January 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C and CF34-8E model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape during the manufacturing of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disk. This AD requires removing the HPT rotor stage 1 disk from service and replacing the HPT rotor stage 1 disk with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 242 (Tuesday, December 21, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 21, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72178-72181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27480]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0869; Project Identifier AD-2021-00176-E;
Amendment 39-21878; AD 2021-26-19]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C and CF34-8E model
turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape
during the manufacturing of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1
disk. This AD requires removing the HPT rotor stage 1 disk from service
and replacing the HPT rotor stage 1 disk with a part eligible for
installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 25, 2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215;
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f594839c94819c9a9bdb9399909081868085859a8781b59290db969a98"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c5d4a555d48555352125a505959484f494c4c534e487c5b59125f5351">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="https://www.ge.com">https://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. It is
also available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0869.
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-2021-0869; 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 final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations 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: 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#a2f1c1cdd6d68cef8cf1d6c7d4c7ccd1cdcce2c4c3c38cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6c3f0f0318184221423f18091a09021f03022c0a0d0d420b031a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain GE CF34-8C5,
CF34-8C5B1, CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2,
CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 model turbofan engines. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on October 8, 2021 (86 FR 56217). The NPRM was
prompted by GE notifying the FAA of a quality escape that occurred
during the manufacturing of an HPT rotor stage 1 disk. The quality
escape occurred at a supplier that began production in August 2019. On
November 25, 2019, the supplier discovered tool gouges at the forward
chamfer on the air holes of an HPT rotor stage 1 disk. These gouges may
reduce the life of the HPT rotor stage 1 disk. In the NPRM, the FAA
proposed to require removing a certain HPT rotor stage 1 disk from
service and replacing the HPT rotor stage 1 disk with a part eligible
for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from one commenter, the Air Line Pilots
Association (ALPA). ALPA supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GE CF34-8C Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 72-A0344
R01 and GE CF34-8E ASB 72-A0228 R01, both dated December 19, 2019. The
ASBs describe procedures for removing the HPT rotor stage 1 disk. The
FAA also reviewed GE Repair Document RD #150-1811-P1, dated March 17,
2020. This document describes procedures for repairing the HPT rotor
stage 1 disk.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 23 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 72179]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Remove and replace HPT rotor stage 1 812 work-hours x $85 per $258,100 $327,120 $7,523,760
disk. hour = $69,020.
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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
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) 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA 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:
2021-26-19 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21878; Docket No.
FAA-2021-0869; Project Identifier AD-2021-00176-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 25, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C5, CF34-
8C5B1, CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-
8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 model turbofan engines with an installed high-
pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disk, part number (P/N)
4125T22P04, and a serial number (S/N) listed in Figure 1 or Figure 2
to paragraph (c) of this AD.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21DE21.008
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape during the
manufacturing of an HPT rotor stage 1 disk. 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 Actions
For all affected engines, at the next engine shop visit or
before the HPT rotor stage 1 disk accumulates 7,600 cycles since
new, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD,
remove the HPT rotor stage 1 disk from service and replace with a
part eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD:
(1) An ``engine shop visit'' is the induction of an engine into
the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major
mating engine flanges, except that the separation of engine flanges
solely for the
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purposes of transportation without subsequent engine maintenance
does not constitute an engine shop visit.
(2) A ``part eligible for installation'' is an HPT rotor stage 1
disk that is not listed in Figure 1 or Figure 2 to paragraph (c) of
this AD or an HPT rotor stage 1 disk that has been repaired using an
FAA-approved repair.
Note 1 to paragraph (h)(2): Guidance for repairing the HPT rotor
stage 1 disk can be found in GE Repair Document RD #150-1811-P1,
dated March 17, 2020.
(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) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0e1eee58de1e48de1edefe3e0c6c1c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d4959a91f99590f995999b9794b2b5b5fab3bba2">[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.
(j) Related Information
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#4f1c2c203b3b6102611c3b2a392a213c20210f292e2e61282039"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8fbcbc7dcdc86e586fbdccddecdc6dbc7c6e8cec9c986cfc7de">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on December 15, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27480 Filed 12-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
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