Rule2024-09109
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
April 29, 2024
Effective
May 14, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B engines. This AD was prompted by a report of an aborted takeoff due to left engine failure caused by liberation of the interstage high- pressure turbine (HPT) rotor seal rim. This AD requires repetitive ultrasonic inspections (USIs) of the interstage HPT rotor seal for cracks and removal from service if necessary. As a mandatory terminating action to the repetitive USIs of the interstage HPT rotor seal, this AD also requires replacement of the interstage HPT rotor seal. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 83 (Monday, April 29, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 83 (Monday, April 29, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33215-33218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09109]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0771; Project Identifier AD-2023-01251-E;
Amendment 39-22720; AD 2024-06-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain General Electric Company (GE) Model GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B
engines. This AD was prompted by a report of an aborted takeoff due to
left engine failure caused by liberation of the interstage high-
pressure turbine (HPT) rotor seal rim. This AD requires repetitive
ultrasonic inspections (USIs) of the interstage HPT rotor seal for
cracks and removal from service if necessary. As a mandatory
terminating action to the repetitive USIs of the interstage HPT rotor
seal, this AD also requires replacement of the interstage HPT rotor
seal. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 14, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 14,
2024.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by June 13, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
[[Page 33216]]
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-2024-0771; 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#a8c9dec1c9dcc1c7c686cec4cdcddcdbddd8d8c7dadce8c9cd8694c988c0dacdce95" http: ge.com">ge.com</a>">aviation.fleetsupport@ae.<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. It is
also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-0771.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexander Thickstun, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(202) 267-8292; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fe9f929b869f909a9b8cd093d08a96979d958d8a8b90be989f9fd0999188"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3859545d4059565c5d4a1655164c50515b534b4c4d56785e5959165f574e">[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 ``FAA-2024-0771 Project Identifier AD-2023-01251-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
Alexander Thickstun, 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 October 19, 2019, a The Boeing Company Model 777 airplane,
powered by GE Model GE90-115B engines, experienced an engine failure,
which resulted in an aborted takeoff. A manufacturer investigation
determined that the engine failure was caused by rim liberation of the
interstage HPT rotor seal. Additional root cause analysis determined
that rim liberation was the result of high cycle fatigue cracks
initiating at the interstage seal web holes occurring from atypical
intermittent operating conditions with short durations. As a result,
the FAA issued Emergency AD 2019-21-51, Amendment 39-19798 (84 FR
64195, November 21, 2019) for certain GE GE90-115B model turbofan
engines; Emergency AD 2020-01-55, Amendment 39-19838 (85 FR 8386,
February 14, 2020) for certain GE GE90-115B model turbofan engines; and
AD 2020-10-04, Amendment 39-21122 (85 FR 27909, May 12, 2020) for all
GE GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B model turbofan engines with a certain
interstage HPT rotor seal installed to remove affected parts from
engines that had accumulated high flight cycles (FCs). Since the FAA
issued those three ADs, the affected engines have continued to
accumulate FCs, and the manufacturer has identified additional parts
for inspection and removal. This condition, if not addressed, could
result in uncontained HPT failure, release of high-energy debris,
damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of the
airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
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 GE90-100 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0908 R00,
dated July 7, 2023. The SB specifies procedures for performing a USI of
the interstage HPT rotor seal. 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 repetitive USIs of the interstage HPT rotor seal
for cracks and removal from service if necessary. As a mandatory
terminating action to the repetitive USIs of the interstage HPT rotor
seal, this AD requires replacement of the interstage HPT rotor seal.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. The 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.
The FAA justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of
this rule because no domestic operators use this
[[Page 33217]]
product. It is unlikely that the FAA will receive any adverse comments
or useful information about this AD from any U.S. operator.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the
foregoing reason(s), 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.
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 0 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove interstage HPT rotor seal...... 100 work-hours x $85 per $540,000 $548,500 $0
hour = $8,500.
Perform USI of interstage HPT rotor 2 work-hours x $85 per 0 170 0
seal. hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 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:
2024-06-15 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22720; Docket No.
FAA-2024-0771; Project Identifier AD-2023-01251-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 14, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) Model GE90-
110B1 and GE90-115B engines with an installed interstage high-
pressure turbine (HPT) rotor seal having a part number and serial
number listed in Table 1 or Table 2 of GE GE90-100 Service Bulletin
(SB) 72-A0908 R00, dated July 7, 2023 (GE SB 72-A0908).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an aborted takeoff due to
left engine failure caused by liberation of the interstage HPT rotor
seal rim. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained
HPT failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to the engine,
damage to the airplane, and possible loss of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Perform an ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the interstage HPT
rotor seal in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraph 3.B.(2), of GE SB 72-A0908, as follows:
(i) Perform an initial USI before reaching the part cycles since
new limit listed in Table 1 or Table 2, as applicable, of GE SB 72-
A0908, or within 10 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later; and
(ii) Repeat the USI thereafter within every 100 cycles or 175
cycles, as applicable, as listed in Table 1 or Table 2 of GE SB 72-
A0908, since the last inspection.
(2) If, during any USI required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii)
of this AD, a non-serviceable indication is found, as defined in
paragraph 3.B.(2)(b) of GE SB 72-A0908, before further flight,
remove the interstage HPT rotor seal from service.
(h) Mandatory Terminating Action
As a terminating action to the repetitive USI required by
paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, at the next engine shop
visit after the effective date of this AD, remove the affected
interstage HPT rotor seal from service.
(i) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine case flanges, except
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation of the engine without subsequent maintenance, which
does not constitute an engine shop visit.
(j) 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
[[Page 33218]]
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 (k) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8f9f6fd95f9fc95f9f5f7fbf8ded9d996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="22636c670f63660f636f6d61624443430c454d54">[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) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Alexander Thickstun,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (202) 267-8292; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ddbcb1b8a5bcb3b9b8aff3b0f3a9b5b4beb6aea9a8b39dbbbcbcf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85e4e9e0fde4ebe1e0f7abe8abf1edece6eef6f1f0ebc5e3e4e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 GE90-100 Service Bulletin 72-0908
R00, dated July 7, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For 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#8eeff8e7effae7e1e0a0e8e2ebebfafdfbfefee1fcfaceefeba0b2efaee6fcebe8b3" http: ge.com">ge.com</a>">aviation.fleetsupport@ae.<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 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 material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4b2a6fabdbaa7a4b1b7a0bdbbba94bab5a6b5fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ceafea2e5e2fffce9eff8e5e3e2cce2edfeeda2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on March 25, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09109 Filed 4-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 29, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.