Rule2022-21861
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
October 11, 2022
Effective
November 15, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C and CF34-8E model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found on the low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 5 disk at the forward arm area. This AD requires the removal of the affected LPT stage 5 disk and replacement with a part 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 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61236-61237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21861]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0977; Project Identifier AD-2022-00419-E;
Amendment 39-22205; AD 2022-21-06]
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) CF34-8C and CF34-8E model
turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found on
the low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 5 disk at the forward arm area.
This AD requires the removal of the affected LPT stage 5 disk and
replacement with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 15, 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-2022-0977; 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; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a8fbcbc7dcdc86e586fbdccddecdc6dbc7c6e8cec9c986cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1340707c67673d5e3d40677665767d607c7d537572723d747c65">[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 CF34-8C1,
CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, CF34-8C5B1, CF34-8E2,
CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1
model turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
August 1, 2022 (87 FR 46906). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a
crack found on the LPT stage 5 disk at the forward arm area. In the
NPRM, the FAA proposed to require the removal of the affected LPT stage
5 disk and replacement with a part 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 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. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GE CF34-8C Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0352 R00,
dated September 20, 2021, and GE CF34-8E SB 72-0240 R00, dated
September 20, 2021. These SBs, differentiated by engine model, describe
procedures for removing and replacing the affected LPT stage 5 disk,
part number (P/N) 4117T14P02, with a new LPT stage 5 disk, P/N
4117T14P03.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 112 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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Remove and replace the LPT stage 5 2 work-hours x $85 $30,500 (pro-rated).. $30,670 $3,435,040
disk. per hour = $170.
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[[Page 61237]]
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:
2022-21-06 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22205; Docket No.
FAA-2022-0977; Project Identifier AD-2022-00419-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 15,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5,
CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, CF34-8C5B1, CF34-8E2, CF34-
8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1
model turbofan engines with an installed low-pressure turbine (LPT)
stage 5 disk, part number (P/N) 4117T14P02.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found on the LPT
stage 5 disk at the forward arm area. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the LPT stage 5 disk. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in loss of engine thrust control and
reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
During the next piece-part exposure after the affected LPT stage
5 disk accumulates 8,000 cycles since new (CSN), remove the affected
LPT stage 5 disk and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(h) Installation Prohibition
Do not install an affected LPT stage 5 disk with 8,000 CSN or
more into the LPT module of the engine.
(i) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is an LPT stage 5 disk, P/N 4117T14P03, or later
approved P/N.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' is when
the LPT module is separated from the engine and the LPT stage 5
blades are removed from the LPT stage 5 disk.
(j) 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 (k) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d5949b90f89491f894989a9695b3b4b4fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f9b8b7bcd4b8bdd4b8b4b6bab99f9898d79e968f">[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.
(k) 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; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#174474786363395a394463726172796478795771767639707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="faa999958e8ed4b7d4a98e9f8c9f94899594ba9c9b9bd49d958c">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on October 3, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-21861 Filed 10-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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