Rule2022-18961
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turboshaft 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
September 2, 2022
Effective
October 7, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) CT7-8A model turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to incorporate reduced life limits for certain stage 1 turbine aft cooling plates, stage 2 turbine forward cooling plates, turbine interstage seals, and stage 4 turbine disks. This AD requires revising the ALS of the existing EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate reduced life limits for these parts. 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 170 (Friday, September 2, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 170 (Friday, September 2, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54130-54131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18961]
[[Page 54130]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0690; Project Identifier AD-2021-01360-E;
Amendment 39-22167; AD 2022-18-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turboshaft
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) CT7-8A model turboshaft engines. This AD
was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations
section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to
incorporate reduced life limits for certain stage 1 turbine aft cooling
plates, stage 2 turbine forward cooling plates, turbine interstage
seals, and stage 4 turbine disks. This AD requires revising the ALS of
the existing EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate reduced life limits
for these parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 7, 2022.
ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0690; 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: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
(781) 238-7241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92c1e7fcf5fffdbcd6bcd1fafdd2f4f3f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="affcdac1c8c2c081eb81ecc7c0efc9cece81c8c0d9">[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 CT7-8A model
turboshaft engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June
21, 2022 (87 FR 36781). The NPRM was prompted by the manufacturer
revising the ALS of the existing EMM to incorporate reduced life limits
for certain stage 1 turbine aft cooling plates, stage 2 turbine forward
cooling plates, turbine interstage seals, and stage 4 turbine disks
(life-limited parts) installed on CT7-8A model turboshaft engines.
Additionally, the manufacturer published service information that
introduced the reduced life limits. The life limits were reduced by the
manufacturer as the result of an analysis of the life management models
for these parts. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the
ALS of the applicable GE CT7-8 EMM and the operator's existing approved
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate
reduced life limits for certain life-limited parts. 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 Air Line Pilots Association,
International (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. Except for minor editorial changes, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GE CT7-8 Service Bulletin 72-0062, Revision 01,
dated December 22, 2021. This service information provides the reduced
life limits for certain life-limited parts.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 126 engines installed on
helicopters 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 EMM and the operator's 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $10,710
existing approved maintenance or hour = $85.
inspection program.
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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
[[Page 54131]]
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:
2022-18-16 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22167; Docket No.
FAA-2022-0690; Project Identifier AD-2021-01360-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 7, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CT7-8A model
turboshaft engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine
Combustion Section; 7250, Turbine Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine
maintenance manual (EMM) to incorporate reduced life limits for
certain stage 1 turbine aft cooling plates, stage 2 turbine forward
cooling plates, turbine interstage seals, and stage 4 turbine disks.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the stage 1 turbine
aft cooling plates, stage 2 turbine forward cooling plates, turbine
interstage seals, and stage 4 turbine disks. The unsafe condition,
if not addressed, could result in uncontained part release, damage
to the engine, damage to the helicopter, and possible loss of
control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the ALS of the existing GE CT7-8 Turboshaft EMM and the operator's
existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable,
by incorporating the following reduced life limits:
(i) For stage 1 turbine aft cooling plate, part number (P/N)
6064T09P02, change the life limit cycles from 6,600 cycles since new
(CSN) to 4,900 CSN;
(ii) For stage 2 turbine forward cooling plate, P/N 4106T80P01,
change the life limit cycles from 8,000 CSN to 7,200 CSN;
(iii) For turbine interstage seal, P/N 4111T86P03, change the
life limit cycles from 29,200 CSN to 19,000 CSN; and
(iv) For stage 4 turbine disk, P/N 6068T32P04, change the life
limit cycles from 24,100 CSN to 12,100 CSN.
(2) After performing the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, except as provided in paragraph (h) of this AD, no
alternative life limits may be approved.
(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 and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#85c4cbc0a8c4c1a8c4c8cac6c5e3e4e4abe2eaf3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1b5a555e365a5f365a5654585b7d7a7a357c746d">[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 Sungmo Cho, Aviation
Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington,
MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b5e6c0dbd2d8da9bf19bf6dddaf5d3d4d49bd2dac3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85d6f0ebe2e8eaabc1abc6edeac5e3e4e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on August 29, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18961 Filed 9-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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