Rule2023-22145
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines
Primary source
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Published
October 4, 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 CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B7F, and CF6-80C2K1F engines. This AD was prompted by an uncontained engine fire and consequent manufacturer investigation, which revealed that certain bearings were installed improperly. This AD requires inspection of the magnetic chip detector (MCD) probe tip for metallic particles and, if necessary, removal of the engine from service. 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 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68451-68453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22145]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 191 / Wednesday, October 4, 2023 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 68451]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1988; Project Identifier AD-2023-00991-E;
Amendment 39-22567; AD 2023-20-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain General Electric Company (GE) Model CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2F,
CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B7F, and CF6-80C2K1F
engines. This AD was prompted by an uncontained engine fire and
consequent manufacturer investigation, which revealed that certain
bearings were installed improperly. This AD requires inspection of the
magnetic chip detector (MCD) probe tip for metallic particles and, if
necessary, removal of the engine from service. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 19, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 19,
2023.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 20, 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> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1988; 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 street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this final rule,
contact General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215;
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0465726d65706d6b6a2a6268616170777174746b76704465612a63612a676b69"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b4d5c2ddd5c0dddbda9ad2d8d1d1c0c7c1c4c4dbc6c0f4d5d19ad3d19ad7dbd9">[email protected]</span></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. It is
also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-1988.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-
7241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6c1f19020b01034208420f04032c0a0d0d420b031a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0172746f666c6e2f652f62696e416760602f666e77">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1988; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00991-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 final rule 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 final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Sungmo
Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
On January 2, 2023, a Boeing Model B767-300 airplane, powered by GE
Model CF6-80C2B6F engines experienced an uncontained engine fire during
flight, resulting in a commanded in-flight shut-down and air turn-back.
A consequent investigation by Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident
Investigation Board revealed that the root cause of the event was the
failure of the number 5R bearing due to misalignment of the 5R bearing
outer ring in the 5R bearing housing.
On August 4, 2023, during disassembly of a CF6-80C2 engine that
failed its new engine (pre-delivery) acceptance test, the manufacturer
discovered that the number 4R bearing was improperly installed. The 4R
and 5R bearings utilize the same MCD and therefore inspection of the
MCD is necessary to detect degradation to bearings and subsequent
bearing failure. Failure of a bearing, if not addressed, could result
in engine fire and damage to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
[[Page 68452]]
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in
other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GE CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin 72-1631, R00, dated
August 25, 2023. This service information specifies procedures for
inspection of the MCD for metallic particles. 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires inspection of the MCD for metallic particles that
cover more than 10 percent of the probe tip and, if necessary, removal
of the engine from service.
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.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule.
The presence of improperly installed number 4R or 5R bearings,
discovered after the January 2, 2023 engine fire and the August 4, 2023
GE CF6-80C2 engine disassembly, could lead to bearing failure and
consequent engine fire and damage to the airplane, which indicates an
immediate safety of flight problem. Accordingly, notice and opportunity
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 37 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect MCD for metallic particles.. 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $3,145
hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of engines
that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis for bearing material......... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0........................... $85
hour = $85.
Reporting............................. 1 work-hour x $85 per $0........................... 85
hour = $85.
Replace engine........................ 50 work-hour x $85 per Unknown...................... 4,250
hour = $4,250.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the parts
cost estimate for the on-condition engine replacement (removal from
service) that is specified in this AD.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
[[Page 68453]]
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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
2023-20-08 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22567; Docket No.
FAA-2023-1988; Project Identifier AD-2023-00991-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 19, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
General Electric Company (GE) Model CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2F,
CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B7F, and CF6-80C2K1F
engines, having engine serial numbers (S/Ns) 630-136 through 630-156
inclusive, and engine S/Ns 707-510 through 707-645 inclusive, which
have accumulated less than 400 engine cycles since new (CSN) on the
effective date of this AD.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine
(Turbine/Turboprop).
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an uncontained engine fire and
consequent manufacturer investigation which revealed that certain
bearings were installed improperly. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent premature bearing failure. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in engine fire and damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For affected engines, within 15 engine cycles after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the magnetic chip detector (MCD)
for metallic particles that cover more than 10 percent of the probe
tip, and if necessary, do a material composition analysis as
applicable, in accordance with paragraph 3., Accomplishment
Instructions, of GE CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1631, R00,
dated August 25, 2023 (GE SB 72-1631).
(2) Thereafter, at the applicable times specified in paragraphs
(g)(2)(i) through (iii), inspect the MCD for metallic particles that
cover more than 10 percent of the probe tip, and if necessary, do a
material composition analysis as applicable, in accordance with
paragraph 3., Accomplishment Instructions, of GE SB 72-1631.
(i) For engines that have accumulated less than 100 engine CSN,
within 25 engine cycles after the previous inspection.
(ii) For engines that have accumulated 100 or more and less than
200 engine CSN, within 50 engine cycles after the previous
inspection.
(iii) For engines that have accumulated 200 or more and less
than 399 engine CSN, within 100 engine cycles after the previous
inspection.
(3) If bearing material is detected during any inspection and
analysis required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, before
further flight, remove the engine from service.
(h) Reporting
If a positive identification of bearing material was made during
the inspection and analysis required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of
this AD, submit a report within 10 days after the positive
identification or within 10 days after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later. The report must include the MCD probe
tip inspection results, material composition analysis, the engine
serial number, and number of engine CSN. Submit the report to GE
Aviation Fleet Support in accordance with paragraph 3.,
Accomplishment Instructions, of GE SB 72-1631.
(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 AIR-520 Continued
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (i) of this AD and email it to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88c9c6cda5c9cca5c9c5c7cbc8eee9e9a6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="25646b600864610864686a66654344440b424a53">[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) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: (781) 238-7241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c2f29323b31337238723f34331c3a3d3d723b332a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2457514a43494b0a400a474c4b644245450a434b52">[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) General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin 72-
1631, R00, dated August 25, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact
General Electric Company, 1 Newman Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, phone:
(513) 552-3272; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fb9a8d929a8f929495d59d979e9e8f888e8b8b94898fbb9a9ed59c9ed5989496"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aacbdcc3cbdec3c5c484ccc6cfcfded9dfdadac5d8deeacbcf84cdcf84c9c5c7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(4) 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.
(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#e48296ca8d8a97948187908d8b8aa48a859685ca838b92"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e08692ce898e9390858394898f8ea08e819281ce878f96">[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 September 29, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22145 Filed 10-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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