Rule2022-03008
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
February 14, 2022
Effective
March 21, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting 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 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 AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8172-8174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03008]
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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;
Amendment 39-21936; AD 2022-03-19]
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 all
General Electric Company (GE) Passport 20-17BB1A, Passport 20-18BB1A,
and Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines. This 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 AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section
(ALS) of the existing 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 21, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 21,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215,
United States; phone: (513) 552-3272; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0e6f78676f7a6761602068626b6b7a7d7b7e7e617c7a4e696b206d6163"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff9e89969e8b969091d199939a9a8b8c8a8f8f908d8bbf989ad19c9092">[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. It is also available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1016.
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 final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is 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#683b0b071c1c4625463b1c0d1e0d061b0706280e0909460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d380b0bca7a7fd9efd80a7b6a5b6bda0bcbd93b5b2b2fdb4bca5">[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 Passport 20-
17BB1A, Passport 20-18BB1A, and Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 29,
2021 (86 FR 67669). The NPRM was prompted by 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 requires reduction. As a result, GE decreased the life
limit of the affected HPT rotor stage 1 disks. In the NPRM, the FAA
proposed to 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. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received one comment, from GE. The following presents the
comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response.
Request To Update Date of Service Information
GE requested that the FAA correct the date of GE Service Bulletin
(SB) PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0116-00A-930A-D, Issue 002, in this AD from
July 22, 2021, to August 13, 2021. GE commented that the NPRM included
the date of the draft SB and not the date of the published SB. GE
stated that there was no change to the document content between the
draft and publication dates.
The FAA agrees and has revised this AD as requested.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes and any
other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any
operator.
[[Page 8173]]
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0116-00A-930A-D, Issue
002, dated August 13, 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. This service information is reasonably available because
the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 78 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 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
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:
2022-03-19 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21936; Docket No.
FAA-2021-1016; Project Identifier AD-2021-00625-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 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 high-pressure
turbine (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.
[[Page 8174]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14FE22.000
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) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f4b5bab1d9b5b0d9b5b9bbb7b4929595da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c5d5259315d58315d51535f5c7a7d7d327b736a">[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#7f2c1c100b0b5132512c0b1a091a110c10113f191e1e51181009"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c89baba7bcbce685e69bbcadbeada6bba7a688aea9a9e6afa7be">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) General Electric Company Service Bulletin PASSPORT20-A-72-
00-0116-00A-930A-D, Issue 002, dated August 13, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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#b9d8cfd0d8cdd0d6d797dfd5dcdccdcaccc9c9d6cbcdf9dedc97dad6d4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e5f48575f4a5751501058525b5b4a4d4b4e4e514c4a7e595b105d5153">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://www.ge.com">www.ge.com</a>.
(4) 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#badcc894d3d4c9cadfd9ced3d5d4fad4dbc8db94ddd5cc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="177165397e7964677274637e7879577976657639707861">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on January 26, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03008 Filed 2-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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