Rule2022-03787
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
February 22, 2022
Effective
March 9, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, - 1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/75/P1, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70/P1, - 1B70/P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76/P2, - 1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, -2B67B, and -2B67/P model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an engine and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that revealed an improperly torqued fuel metering unit (FMU) bypass valve (BPV) plug. This AD requires a shim check inspection of the FMU BPV plug and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the FMU. 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 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9432-9435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03787]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0101; Project Identifier AD-2021-01456-E;
Amendment 39-21949; AD 2022-04-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -
1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/75/P1, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70/P1, -
1B70/P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76/P2, -
1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, -2B67B, and -2B67/P model turbofan engines. This
AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an engine and
subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that revealed an
improperly torqued fuel metering unit (FMU) bypass valve (BPV) plug.
This AD requires a shim check inspection of the FMU BPV plug and,
depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the FMU. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 9, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 9,
2022.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 8, 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 final rule, contact
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone:
(513) 552-3272; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7716011e16031e181959111b121203040207071805033716125910125914181a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89e8ffe0e8fde0e6e7a7efe5ececfdfafcf9f9e6fbfdc9e8eca7eeeca7eae6e4">[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-2022-0101.
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-2022-0101; 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 street address for the
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238-7178; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c988a5acb1aca0e79de784a8bbb8bcacaca789afa8a8e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="77361b120f121e5923593a160506021212193711161659101801">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On July 20, 2021, a Boeing model 747-8F airplane, powered by GEnx-
2B67/P model turbofan engines, flying from Hong Kong to Dubai,
experienced N1 overspeed and fire warnings that resulted in an IFSD and
air turnback (ATB) to Hong Kong. After landing, the engine reignited
and emergency crews extinguished the fire. The investigation led by the
National Transportation Safety Board found several fuel system leaks
including at the FMU supply pressure (P1) BPV pressure port with a
loose FMU BPV plug safety cabled in place. Because a safety cable was
in place, the investigation concluded that the FMU BPV plug might not
have been torqued properly during production or during an engine shop
visit. During the investigation, GE discovered that another operator,
operating a Boeing
[[Page 9433]]
model 787-10 airplane, powered by GEnx-1B74/75/P2 model turbofan
engines, found a fuel system leak related to a loose FMU BPV plug in
August 2020 during a walk-around after a flight. As a result of the
investigation, the manufacturer published GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin
(SB) 73-0100 R00, dated December 3, 2021, and GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0092
R00, dated December 3, 2021, specifying procedures to inspect the FMU
BPV plug and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement
of the FMU. This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of
engine thrust control, IFSD, and reduced control of the aircraft. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in
other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0100 R00, dated December 3, 2021,
and GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 R00, dated December 3, 2021. These SBs
specify procedures for inspecting the FMU BPV plug and replacing the
FMU on GE GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines. 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires a shim check inspection of the FMU BPV plug and,
depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the FMU.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies foregoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule.
On July 20, 2021, a Boeing model 747-8F airplane, powered by GEnx-2B67/
P model turbofan engines, experienced an IFSD and ATB due to a fuel
system leak. This unsafe condition, caused by improper torquing of the
FMU BPV plug, may result in the loss of engine thrust control, IFSD,
and reduced control of the aircraft.
The FAA considers inspection of the FMU BPV plug to be an urgent
safety issue. Inspection of the FMU BPV plug must be accomplished
within 150 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. The FAA
estimates that engines affected by this AD will accumulate 150 flight
cycles within approximately 90 days of the effective date of this AD.
These conditions still exist, therefore, notice and opportunity for
prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and
comment.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0101 and Project Identifier
AD-2021-01456-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 final rule 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 final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Alexei
Marqueen, 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.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 114 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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Shim check inspection of FMU BPV plug. 0.50 work-hours x $85 $0 $42.50 $4,845
per hour = $42.50.
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[[Page 9434]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacement that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the FMU with a FMU that has undergone 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $200 $880
packing replacement. $680.
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Replace the FMU............................... 7 work-hours x $85 per hour = 727,317 727,912
$595.
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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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
2022-04-07 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21949; Docket No.
FAA-2022-0101; Project Identifier AD-2021-01456-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 9, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64,
GEnx-1B64/P1, GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2,
GEnx-1B70, GEnx-1B70/75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-
1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/
75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-
2B67/P model turbofan engines with:
(1) A fuel metering unit (FMU) VIN 8062-1094 part number (P/N)
2122M20P07, VIN 8062-1176 P/N 2122M20P08, VIN 8062-1106 P/N
2459M17P01, or VIN 8062-1177 P/N 2459M17P02, installed; and
(2) An FMU having a serial number (S/N) identified in Paragraph
4, Appendix A, Table 1, of either GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB)
73-0100 R00, dated December 3, 2021 (GEnx-1B SB 73-0100), or GE
GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 R00, dated December 3, 2021 (GEnx-2B SB 73-0092).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7320, Fuel
Controlling System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an
engine and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that
revealed an improperly torqued FMU bypass valve (BPV) plug. The FAA
is issuing this AD to prevent fuel system leakage from the FMU. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of
engine thrust control, IFSD, and reduced control of the aircraft.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 150 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD, perform either an on-wing or off-wing shim check inspection
using a 0.005 inch feeler gauge of the FMU BPV plug to verify the
FMU BPV plug is properly installed using the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(4) or paragraph 3.B.(3), of GEnx-1B SB
73-0100 (for GEnx-1B models) or the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraph 3.A.(4) or paragraph 3.B.(3), of GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 (for
GEnx-2B models), as applicable. Perform the shim check inspection on
any flat side of the FMU BPV plug.
(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, the 0.005 inch feeler gauge can fit between the FMU BPV
plug and the FMU housing on the flat side, before further flight,
remove the FMU and replace with an FMU eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, an ``FMU eligible for installation''
is:
(1) An FMU having a S/N that is not identified in Paragraph 4,
Appendix A, Table 1, of GEnx-1B SB 73-0100 or GEnx-2B SB 73-0092;
(2) An FMU having a S/N identified in Paragraph 4, Appendix A,
Table 1, of GEnx-1B SB 73-0100 or GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 that passes the
shim check inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD; or
(3) An FMU having a S/N identified in Paragraph 4, Appendix A,
Table 1, of GEnx-1B SB 73-0100 or GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 that fails the
shim check inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD but
has had the packing of the FMU BPV plug replaced per the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C. of GEnx-1B 73-0100 or
GEnx-2B 73-0092.
(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
[[Page 9435]]
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 and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#460708036b07026b070b09050620272768212930"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dccc3c8a0ccc9a0ccc0c2cecdebececa3eae2fb">[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 Alexei Marqueen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7178; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#26674a435e434f0872086b475457534343486640474708414950"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="73321f160b161a5d275d3e1201020616161d331512125d141c05">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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 (GE) GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB)
73-0100 R00, dated December 3, 2021.
(ii) GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0092 R00, dated December 3, 2021.
(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#bfdec9d6decbd6d0d191d9d3dadacbcccacfcfd0cdcbffdeda91d8da91dcd0d2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f7e69767e6b7670713179737a7a6b6c6a6f6f706d6b5f7e7a31787a317c7072">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: <a href="https://www.ge.com">https://www.ge.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at 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#f49286da9d9a87849197809d9b9ab49a958695da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5e382c7037302d2e3b3d2a3731301e303f2c3f70393128">[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 February 15, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03787 Filed 2-17-22; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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