Rule2022-20289
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
September 20, 2022
Effective
October 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-2B67/P model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by the detection of an iron inclusion in a forging, which may reduce the fatigue life of certain low-pressure turbine rotor (LPTR) stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6 disks. This AD requires the removal of certain LPTR stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6 disks from service and replacement with parts eligible for installation. 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 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57377-57379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20289]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0587; Project Identifier AD-2022-00394-E;
Amendment 39-22170; AD 2022-19-01]
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
certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-2B67/P model turbofan
engines. This AD was prompted by the detection of an iron inclusion in
a forging, which may reduce the fatigue life of certain low-pressure
turbine rotor (LPTR) stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6 disks. This AD
requires the removal of certain LPTR stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6
disks from service and replacement with parts eligible for
installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 25, 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-2022-0587; 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: 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#46072a233e232f6812680b273437332323280620272768212930"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="61200d041904084f354f2c0013101404040f210700004f060e17">[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 certain GE GEnx-2B67/P
model turbofan engines with an affected LPTR stage 4 disk or LPTR stage
6 disk installed, identified by part number and serial number. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2022 (87 FR 37247). The
NPRM was prompted by the engine manufacturer notifying the FAA of the
detection of an iron inclusion in a forging, which may reduce the
fatigue life of certain LPTR stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6 disks. The
manufacturer's investigation determined that the inclusion is a melt-
related defect and that, as a result of the inclusion forming in the
forging, certain LPTR stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6 disks may have
reduced material properties and a lower fatigue life capability.
Reduced material properties may cause premature LPTR stage 4 disk and
LPTR stage 6 disk fracture, which could result in uncontained debris
release. As a result of its investigation, the manufacturer published
service information that specifies procedures for the removal and
replacement of certain LPTR stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6 disks
installed on GEnx-2B67/P model turbofan engines. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in uncontained debris release, damage to the
engine, and damage to the airplane. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
require the removal of certain LPTR stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6
disks from service and replacement with parts eligible for
installation. 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 The Boeing Company (Boeing).
Boeing concurred with the contents of the NPRM.
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
[[Page 57378]]
changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-2B Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0448 R00,
dated February 7, 2022. This SB describes procedures for removing the
affected LPTR stage 4 disks and LPTR stage 6 disks from service.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 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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Replace the LPTR stage 4 disk......... 500 work-hours x $85 per $378,400 $420,900 $1,262,700
hour = $42,500.
Replace the LPTR stage 6 disk......... 500 work-hours x $85 per 208,900 251,400 251,400
hour = $42,500.
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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:
2022-19-01 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22170; Docket No.
FAA-2022-0587; Project Identifier AD-2022-00394-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 25, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-2B67/P
model turbofan engines with an installed:
(1) Low-pressure turbine rotor (LPTR) stage 4 disk, part number
(P/N) 2440M64P01, with serial number (S/N) JHVPD762, JHVPD763,
JHVPD764, or JHVPD765; or
(2) LPTR stage 6 disk, P/N 2440M66P01, with S/N JHVVD753 or
JHVVD754.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the detection of an iron inclusion in a
forging, which may reduce the fatigue life of certain LPTR stage 4
disks and LPTR stage 6 disks. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
fracture and subsequent uncontainment of the LPTR stage 4 disk and
LPTR stage 6 disk. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in uncontained debris 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 Actions
(1) Before the affected LPTR stage 4 disk exceeds 3,000 cycles
since new (CSN), remove the affected LPTR stage 4 disk from service
and replace with an LPTR stage 4 disk eligible for installation.
(2) Before the affected LPTR stage 6 disk exceeds 5,000 CSN,
remove the affected LPTR stage 6 disk from service and replace with
an LPTR stage 6 disk eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, an ``LPTR stage 4 disk eligible
for installation'' is an LPTR stage 4 disk that does not have P/N
2440M64P01, with S/N JHVPD762, JHVPD763, JHVPD764, or JHVPD765.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, an ``LPTR stage 6 disk eligible
for installation'' is an LPTR stage 6 disk that does not have P/N
2440M66P01, with S/N JHVVD753 or JHVVD754.
(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) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d1c1318701c19701c10121e1d3b3c3c733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="074649422a46432a464a48444761666629606871">[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#3978555c415c50176d1774584b484c5c5c57795f5858175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b1a373e233e32750f75163a292a2e3e3e351b3d3a3a753c342d">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
[[Page 57379]]
Issued on August 29, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-20289 Filed 9-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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