Proposed Rule2022-11896
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
June 3, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by several reports of fuel leaks caused by high cycle fatigue (HCF) cracks found at the braze joints on fuel manifolds, and the subsequent manufacturer redesign of the high- pressure turbine (HPT) fuel hose variable stator vane (VSV) manifold, VSV fuel hose manifold, low-pressure turbine (LPT) fuel hose variable bleed valve (VBV) manifold, and VBV fuel hose manifold. This proposed AD would require removal and replacement of the fuel hydraulic lines. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 107 (Friday, June 3, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 107 (Friday, June 3, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33658-33660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11896]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0514; Project Identifier AD-2022-00357-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 certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B model turbofan
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by several reports of fuel leaks
caused by high cycle fatigue (HCF) cracks found at the braze joints on
fuel manifolds, and the subsequent manufacturer redesign of the high-
pressure turbine (HPT) fuel hose variable stator vane (VSV) manifold,
VSV fuel hose manifold, low-pressure turbine (LPT) fuel hose variable
bleed valve (VBV) manifold, and VBV fuel hose manifold. This proposed
AD would require removal and replacement of the fuel hydraulic lines.
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 July 18,
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 Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513)
552-3272; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99f8eff0f8edf0f6f7b7fff5fcfcedeaece9e9f6ebedd9fefcb7faf6f4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e382958a82978a8c8dcd858f868697909693938c9197a38486cd808c8e">[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-2022-0514; 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: 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#e8a9848d908d81c6bcc6a5899a999d8d8d86a88e8989c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e0a18c85988589ceb4cead8192919585858ea0868181ce878f96">[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-2022-0514; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00357-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
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.
Background
The FAA received reports of fuel manifold leaks resulting in
multiple flight delays and cancellations on four separate occasions
between 2018 and 2021 on airplanes with GEnx-1B model turbofan engines
installed. The manufacturer's investigation revealed that variations in
braze coverage and braze fillet radii caused high stress concentration
factors at the braze block
[[Page 33659]]
joints, leading to HCF failure in the tube bundles with brazed joints.
As a result of its investigation, the manufacturer determined that the
HPT fuel hose VSV manifold, VSV fuel hose manifold, LPT fuel hose VBV
manifold, and VBV fuel hose manifold required redesign by replacing all
braze features and cushioned clamps with block clamps. The manufacturer
published GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 73-0099 R00, dated February 28,
2022, which specifies procedures for the replacement of fuel hydraulic
lines with redesigned fuel hydraulic lines. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in engine fire 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 Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 73-0099 R00, dated
February 28, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for
the removal and replacement of the fuel hydraulic lines. 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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require the removal and replacement of the
fuel hydraulic lines.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 298 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Remove fuel hydraulic lines........... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $50,660
hour = $170.
Install redesigned fuel hydraulic 2.5 work-hours x $85 per 232,000 232,212.50 69,199,325
lines. hour = $212.50.
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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 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-2022-0514; Project
Identifier AD-2022-00357-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 18, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
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,
and GEnx-1B76A/P2 model turbofan engines with engine serial numbers
956-102 through 958-775, inclusive, 958-795, and 958-802.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7310, Engine Fuel
Distribution.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by several reports of fuel leaks caused by
high cycle fatigue cracks found at the braze joints on certain GEnx-
1B fuel manifolds. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks
on the variable bypass valve and variable stator vane fuel hose
manifolds. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
engine fire and damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this
AD, remove and replace the fuel hydraulic lines using the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A and 3.B, of GE GEnx-1B
Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0099 R00, dated February 28, 2022.
(h) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine case flanges, except for
the following situations, which do not constitute an engine shop
visit:
(1) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation of the engine without subsequent maintenance.
[[Page 33660]]
(2) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
replacing the fan or propulsor without subsequent maintenance.
(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)(1) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2968676c04686d046864666a694f4848074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="30717e751d71741d717d7f73705651511e575f46">[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
(1) 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#ce8fa2abb6aba7e09ae083afbcbfbbababa08ea8afafe0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="beffd2dbc6dbd790ea90f3dfcccfcbdbdbd0fed8dfdf90d9d1c8">[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#214057484055484e4f0f474d444455525451514e53556146440f424e4c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f9988f90988d909697d79f959c9c8d8a8c8989968b8db99e9cd79a9694">[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 May 5, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-11896 Filed 6-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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