Rule2022-01141
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
January 21, 2022
Effective
February 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting 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 AD was prompted by the manufacturer reducing the life limit for the affected left-hand rear mount link assembly. This AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual and the operator's existing approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 14 (Friday, January 21, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 14 (Friday, January 21, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3182-3184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01141]
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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;
Amendment 39-21915; AD 2022-02-18]
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 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 AD was prompted by the manufacturer reducing the life
limit for the affected left-hand rear mount link assembly. This AD
requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the
existing engine maintenance manual and the operator's existing approved
continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP). The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 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#1677607f77627f797838707a737362656366667964625677733871733875797b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9dfcebf4fce9f4f2f3b3fbf1f8f8e9eee8ededf2efe9ddfcf8b3faf8b3fef2f0">[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-2021-0949.
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 final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is U.S. Department of
[[Page 3183]]
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#2d7e4e4259590360037e59485b48435e42436d4b4c4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c89baba7bcbce685e69bbcadbeada6bba7a688aea9a9e6afa7be">[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 all 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,
P/N 1846M23G01. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November
5, 2021 (86 FR 61086). The NPRM was prompted by 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. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed
to 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. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from one commenter, FedEx Express, who
supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
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. Except for minor editorial changes,
including the removal of the reference to GE CF6-80C2 Engine Manual,
GEK92451, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
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 existing engine maintenance manual.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 220 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this 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-hours 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
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:
2022-02-18 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21915; Docket No.
FAA-2021-0949; Project Identifier AD-2021-00115-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 25,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
[[Page 3184]]
(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 existing engine maintenance
manual, 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) of this AD. You may email your request to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#83c2cdc6aec2c7aec2ceccc0c3e5e2e2ade4ecf5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abeae5ee86eaef86eae6e4e8ebcdcaca85ccc4dd">[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
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#a3f0c0ccd7d78dee8df0d7c6d5c6cdd0cccde3c5c2c28dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1a2929e8585dfbcdfa2859487949f829e9fb1979090df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on January 14, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-01141 Filed 1-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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