Rule2023-19793
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company 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 14, 2023
Effective
October 19, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model CF6-80E1A2, CF6-80E1A3, CF6-80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4/B engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that a certain forward outer seal and certain high-pressure turbine rotor (HPTR) stage 1 disks and rotating seals were manufactured from material suspected to contain iron inclusion, which may cause reduced material properties and a lower fatigue life capability. This AD requires the replacement of the affected forward outer seal, HPTR stage 1 disks, and rotating seals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 177 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 177 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63014-63016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19793]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1208; Project Identifier AD-2023-00325-E;
Amendment 39-22545; AD 2023-18-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company 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) Model CF6-80E1A2, CF6-80E1A3,
CF6-80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4/B engines. This AD was prompted by a
manufacturer investigation that revealed that a certain forward outer
seal and certain high-pressure turbine rotor (HPTR) stage 1 disks and
rotating seals were manufactured from material suspected to contain
iron inclusion, which may cause reduced material properties and a lower
fatigue life capability. This AD requires the replacement of the
affected forward outer seal, HPTR stage 1 disks, and rotating seals.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 19, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1208; 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, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(781) 238-7178; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88e9e4edf0ede1a6fca6e5e9faf9fdedede6c8eee9e9a6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b3a373e233e32752f75363a292a2e3e3e351b3d3a3a753c342d">[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 Model CF6-
80E1A2, CF6-80E1A3, CF6-80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4/B engines. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2023 (88 FR 37812). The
NPRM was prompted by a report from the manufacturer that a certain
forward outer seal and certain HPTR stage 1 disks and rotating seals
were made from billets manufactured from material that is suspected to
contain iron inclusion. Such iron inclusion may cause premature
fracture and subsequent uncontained failure. The FAA has determined
that the operators with affected HPTR stage 1 disks have proactively
removed these parts from service. As a result, the compliance time for
removal and replacement of the affected HPTR stage 1 disks is before
further flight. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
uncontained debris release, damage to the engine, and damage to the
aircraft. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require the removal of a
certain forward outer seal and certain HPTR stage 1 disks and rotating
seals 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 comments from two commenters. The commenters were
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) and EVA Air. The following presents the
comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
No Affected Parts
EVA Air commented that its fleet does not have any affected parts.
The FAA acknowledges this comment.
Request To Expand Applicability and Add Parts Prohibition Requirement
DAL commented that according to the engine illustrated parts
catalog, the R88DT rotor on the CF6-80E1 fleet of engines could be
installed on the CF6-80C2 fleet of engines, specifically on the -B2F, -
B4F, -B6F, -B7F, and -B8F variants. The commenter reasoned that without
a part installation prohibition in the proposed AD, the affected parts
would be eligible for installation on the non-CF6-80E1 engines after
the required removal action in the AD. DAL requested that the FAA
revise the proposed AD to add certain engine variants to paragraph (c),
Applicability, and to add a parts installation prohibition to paragraph
(g), Required Actions, to prevent installation of the removed parts on
non-CF6-80E1 engines.
The FAA disagrees. This AD applies to engine models known to have
affected parts installed. Paragraph (g) of this AD requires the removal
of the affected parts from service. Since the FAA and the manufacturer
know where these parts are, and parts removed from service by AD action
are not serviceable and not eligible for re-installation on any engine,
it is not necessary to revise paragraph (c) of this AD to add engine
variants and revise paragraph (g) of this AD to prohibit installation
of the removed parts. Additionally, adding new engine variants to this
AD would delay final issuance of this AD, as such a change would
increase the scope of this AD, requiring new notice and comment. We may
consider separate rulemaking, however. The FAA did not change this AD
as a result of these comments.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, and
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed
in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on
any operator.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. This unsafe
condition is still under investigation by the manufacturer and,
depending on the results of that investigation, the FAA may consider
further rulemaking action.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1 engine installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. This engine requires replacement of the
rotating seal. The FAA estimates that there are no engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry that requires replacement of the forward
outer seal or HPTR stage 1 disk.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 63015]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace HPTR stage 1 disk......... 8 work-hours x $85 $1,479,623 (prorated) $1,480,303 $0
per hour = $680.
Replace rotating seal............. 8 work-hours x $85 $732,517 (prorated).. 733,197 733,197
per hour = $680.
Replace forward outer seal........ 8 work-hours x $85 $1,290,000 (prorated) 1,290,680 0
per 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
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:
2023-18-04 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22545; Docket No.
FAA-2023-1208; Project Identifier AD-2023-00325-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 19, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company Model CF6-80E1A2,
CF6-80E1A3, CF6-80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4/B engines with an installed
forward outer seal, high-pressure turbine rotor (HPTR) stage 1 disk,
or rotating seal having a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N)
identified in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.
Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Affected Forward Outer Seal, HPTR Stage 1
Disks, and Rotating Seals
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Part name P/N Part S/N
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Forward outer seal............ 1778M70P03........... NCU65340
HPTR stage 1 disk............. 1863M36G06........... TMT5TD23
TMT5TD26
TMT5TD27
Rotating seal................. 1778M69P06........... BTB20610
BTB20611
BTB20612
BTB26650
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(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that
revealed that a certain forward outer seal and certain HPTR stage 1
disks and rotating seals were manufactured from material suspected
to contain iron inclusion, which may cause reduced material
properties and a lower fatigue life capability. The FAA is issuing
this AD to prevent fracture and subsequent uncontained failure of a
certain forward outer seal and certain HPTR stage 1 disks and
rotating seals. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
in uncontained debris release, damage to the engine, and damage to
the aircraft.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) At the next piece-part exposure of the affected forward
outer seal or before the affected forward outer seal exceeds 5,400
cycles since new (CSN), whichever occurs first after the effective
date of this AD, remove the affected forward outer seal from service
and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(2) At the next piece-part exposure of the affected rotating
seal or before the affected rotating seal exceeds 5,200 CSN,
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, remove
the affected rotating seal from service and replace with a part
eligible for installation.
(3) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,
remove the affected HPTR stage 1 disk from service and replace with
a part eligible for installation.
[[Page 63016]]
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is any forward outer seal, HPTR stage 1 disk, or
rotating seal that does not have a P/N and S/N identified in Table 1
to paragraph (c) of this AD.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' is when
the affected part is removed from the engine and completely
disassembled.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 branch, 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#2968676c04686d046864666a694f4848074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4c0d0209610d08610d01030f0c2a2d2d622b233a">[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, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7178; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c5d5059445955124812515d4e4d495959527c5a5d5d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="42232e273a272b6c366c2f2330333727272c022423236c252d34">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on September 7, 2023.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-19793 Filed 9-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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