Proposed Rule2023-07648
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
April 13, 2023
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 and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and forward seals were manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron inclusion. This proposed AD would require the replacement of the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and forward seals. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22383-22385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07648]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 71 / Thursday, April 13, 2023 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 22383]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0663; Project Identifier AD-2023-00020-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 and GEnx-2B model
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer
investigation that revealed that certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor
spools and forward seals were manufactured from powder metal material
suspected to contain iron inclusion. This proposed AD would require the
replacement of the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and
forward seals. 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 May 30,
2023.
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="http://regulations.gov">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.
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-2023-0663; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For GE 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#3352455a52475a5c5d1d555f565647404643435c4147730f52135b4156550e" http: ge.com">ge.com</a>">aviation.fleetsupport@<a href="http://ge.com">ge.com</a></a>; website:
<a href="http://ge.com">ge.com</a>.
<bullet> 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.
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#40012c253825296e146e0d2132313525252e002621216e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d190bdb4a9b4b8ff85ff9cb0a3a0a4b4b4bf91b7b0b0ffb6bea7">[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-2023-0663; Project Identifier
AD-2023-00020-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="http://regulations.gov">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 was notified by the manufacturer of the detection of iron
inclusion in a high-pressure turbine stage 2 disk manufactured from the
same powder metal material used to manufacture certain stages 6-10
compressor rotor spools and forward seals for GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67/
P2, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P2,
GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, and GEnx-2B67/P model turbofan engines. A
manufacturer investigation determined that the iron inclusion was
introduced during the manufacturing process from raw material filtering
screens that had degraded, and certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor
spools and forward seals manufactured using the same process may have
reduced material properties and a lower fatigue life capability due to
the iron inclusion. Further investigation by the manufacturer
identified additional degraded filtering screens which had the
potential to increase the population of parts that were subjected to
iron inclusion during manufacturing. As a result of its investigation,
GE published service information that specifies procedures for the
removal and replacement of certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools
and forward seals. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
uncontained debris
[[Page 22384]]
release, damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft.
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 72-0515 R00, Initial
Issue, dated January 31, 2023. The FAA also reviewed GE GEnx-2B Service
Bulletin 72-0452 R00, Initial Issue, dated January 31, 2023. This
service information specifies procedures for removal and replacement of
the stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool and forward seal. These
documents are distinct since they apply to different engine models.
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 removal of the affected stages 6-10
compressor rotor spools and forward seals and replacement with a part
eligible for installation.
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action.
If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider additional
rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 13 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates that nine of the 13 engines will require replacing the stages
6-10 compressor rotor spool and four of the 13 engines will require
replacing the forward seal.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace stages 6-10 compressor rotor 8 work-hours x $85 per $841,088 $841,768 $7,575,912
spool. hour = $680.
Replace forward seal.................. 8 work-hours x $85 per 389,976 390,656 1,562,624
hour = $680.
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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-2023-0663; Project
Identifier AD-2023-00020-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 30, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2,
GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-
1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, and GEnx-2B67/P model
turbofan engines with an installed:
(1) Stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool having a part number (P/
N) and serial number (S/N) listed in paragraph 4, Appendix--A, Table
1 of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0515, Initial Issue, dated
January 31, 2023 (GEnx-1B 72-0515); or
(2) Forward seal having a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph 4,
Appendix--A, Table 2 of GEnx-1B 72-0515; or
(3) Stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool having a P/N and S/N
listed in paragraph 4, Appendix--A, Table 1 of GE GEnx-2B Service
Bulletin 72-0452, Initial Issue, dated January 31, 2023. (GEnx-2B
72-0452); or
(4) Forward seal having a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph 4,
Appendix--A, Table 2 of GEnx-2B 72-0452.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section; 7250, Turbine Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that
revealed certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and forward
seals were subject to iron inclusion introduced during the
manufacturing process. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
fracture and potential uncontained failure of certain stages 6-10
compressor rotor spools and forward seals. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in uncontained debris release, damage to
the engine, and damage to the aircraft.
[[Page 22385]]
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For affected GEnx-1B model turbofan engines, at the next
piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD, or before
the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool reaches the cyclic
removal threshold listed in paragraph 4., Appendix--A, Table 1 of
GEnx-1B 72-0515, whichever occurs first, remove the affected stages
6-10 compressor rotor spool from service and replace with a part
eligible for installation.
(2) For affected GEnx-1B model turbofan engines, at the next
piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD, or before
the affected forward seal exceeds the cyclic removal threshold
listed in paragraph 4., Appendix--A, Table 2 of GEnx-1B 72-0515,
whichever occurs first, remove the affected forward seal from
service and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(3) For affected GEnx-2B model turbofan engines, at the next
piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD, or before
the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool exceeds the cyclic
removal threshold listed in paragraph 4., Appendix--A, Table 1 of
GEnx-2B 72-0452, whichever occurs first, remove the affected stages
6-10 compressor rotor spool from service and replace with a part
eligible for installation.
(4) For affected GEnx-2B model turbofan engines, at the next
piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD, or before
the affected forward seal exceeds the cyclic removal threshold
listed in paragraph 4., Appendix--A, Table 2 of GEnx-2B 72-0452,
whichever occurs first, remove the affected forward seal from
service and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is any stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool or forward
seal with a P/N and S/N not listed in paragraph 4, Appendix--A,
Table 1 or paragraph 4, Appendix--A, Table 2 of GEnx-1B 72-0515 or
GEnx-2B 72-0452.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' is when
the affected part is removed from the engine.
(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#165758533b57523b575b59555670777738717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e5a4aba0c8a4a1c8a4a8aaa6a5838484cb828a93">[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#c584a9a0bda0aceb91eb88a4b7b4b0a0a0ab85a3a4a4eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="256449405d404c0b710b684457545040404b654344440b424a53">[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) GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0515, Initial Issue, dated
January 31, 2023.
(ii) GE GEnx-2B Service Bulletin 72-0452, Initial Issue, dated
January 31, 2023.
(3) For GE 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#fe9f88979f8a979190d098929b9b8a8d8b8e8e918c8abec29fde968c9b98c3" http: ge.com">ge.com</a>">aviation.fleetsupport@<a href="http://ge.com">ge.com</a></a>; website:
<a href="http://ge.com">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#6e081c4007001d1e0b0d1a0701002e000f1c0f40090118"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d5b4f1354534e4d585e495452537d535c4f5c135a524b">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on April 1, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-07648 Filed 4-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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