Proposed Rule2024-25377
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines
Primary source
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Published
November 1, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05, which apply to all General Electric Company (GE) Model GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B engines. AD 2020-20-17 prohibits dispatch of an airplane if certain status messages are displayed on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) and if certain conditions are present; and as terminating action, requires revision of the existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) by incorporating the dispatch restrictions into the MEL. AD 2021-15-05 requires initial and repetitive replacement of the full authority digital engine control (FADEC) integrated circuit (MN4) microprocessor. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05, the manufacturer has developed a software revision for the electronic engine control (EEC) FADEC that further mitigates the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain all the actions of AD 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05, and it would also require upgrading the EEC FADEC software to an EEC FADEC software version eligible for installation as a terminating action. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 212 (Friday, November 1, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 87317-87319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25377]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2417; Project Identifier AD-2024-00336-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05, which apply to all General Electric
Company (GE) Model GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B engines. AD 2020-20-17
prohibits dispatch of an airplane if certain status messages are
displayed on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) and
if certain conditions are present; and as terminating action, requires
revision of the existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) by
incorporating the dispatch restrictions into the MEL. AD 2021-15-05
requires initial and repetitive replacement of the full authority
digital engine control (FADEC) integrated circuit (MN4) microprocessor.
Since the FAA issued AD 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05, the manufacturer
has developed a software revision for the electronic engine control
(EEC) FADEC that further mitigates the unsafe condition. This proposed
AD would retain all the actions of AD 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05, and
it would also require upgrading the EEC FADEC software to an EEC FADEC
software version eligible for installation as a terminating action. 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 December
16, 2024.
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-2024-2417; 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 material identified in this proposed AD, contact
GE, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b9d8cfd0d8cdd0d6d797dfd5dcdccdcaccc9c9d6cbcdf985d899d1cbdcdf84" 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 material 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: 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#fd9c9198859c9399988fd390d38995949e968e898893bd9b9c9cd39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="11707d7469707f7574633f7c3f657978727a6265647f517770703f767e67">[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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2417;
Project Identifier AD-2024-00336-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 revise 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
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
The FAA issued AD 2020-20-17, Amendment 39-21273 (85 FR 63443,
October 8, 2020) (``AD 2020-20-17'') and AD 2021-15-05, Amendment 39-
21652 (86 FR 43409, August 9, 2021) (``AD 2021-15-05''), for all GE
Model GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B engines.
AD 2020-20-17 was prompted by an in-service occurrence of loss of
engine thrust control resulting in uncommanded high thrust. AD 2020-20-
17 prohibits dispatch of an airplane if certain status messages are
displayed on the EICAS and if certain conditions are present; and as
terminating action, requires revision of the existing FAA-approved MEL
by incorporating the dispatch restrictions listed in AD 2020-20-17 into
the MEL. The agency issued AD 2020-20-17 to prevent dispatch of the
airplane when certain faults caused by degradation of the MN4
integrated circuit in the FADEC are displayed and certain FADEC
conditions are present which, if not addressed, could result in loss of
engine thrust control and reduced control of the airplane.
AD 2021-15-05 was also prompted by the in-service occurrence of
loss of engine thrust control resulting in uncommanded high thrust. AD
2021-15-05 requires initial and repetitive replacement of the FADEC MN4
microprocessor. The agency issued AD 2021-15-05 to prevent failure of
the FADEC MN4 microprocessor solder ball which, if not addressed, could
result in
[[Page 87318]]
loss of engine thrust control and reduced control of the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05 Were Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05, the
manufacturer has developed a software revision for the FADEC. The FAA
has determined that the software revision for the FADEC further
mitigates the unsafe conditions specified AD 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-
05, and therefore, must be required for the affected engines.
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GE GE90-100 Service Bulletin 73-0117 R01, dated
August 5, 2020, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for
incorporation by reference as of October 23, 2020 (85 FR 63443, October
8, 2020). This material describes procedures for checking for an
inbound FADEC EICAS ``ENG EEC C1'' status message and corresponding
conditions.
The FAA also reviewed GE GE90-100 Service Bulletin 73-0118,
Revision 01, dated April 27, 2021, which the Director of the Federal
Register approved for incorporation by reference as of September 13,
2021 (86 FR 43409, August 9, 2021). This material specifies procedures
for replacing the FADEC MN4 microprocessor.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2020-
20-17 and AD 2021-15-05. Furthermore, this proposed AD would require
upgrading the EEC FADEC software to an EEC FADEC software version that
is eligible for installation as a terminating action for the retained
requirements from AD 2020-20-17 and AD 2021-15-05.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 330 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Revise the existing MEL (Retained 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $28,050
action from AD 2020-20-17). hour = $85.
Remove and replace FADEC (Retained 1 work-hour x $85 per 25,200 25,285 8,344,050
action from AD 2021-15-05). hour = $85.
Upgrade the EEC FADEC software (New 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 28,050
Action). hour = $85.
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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 that the 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directives 2020-20-17, Amendment 39-21273 (85
FR 63443, October 8, 2020); and 2021-15-05, Amendment 39-21652 (86 FR
43409, August 9, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2024-2417; Project
Identifier AD-2024-00336-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 16, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-20-17, Amendment 39-21273 (85 FR 63443,
October 8, 2020) (AD 2020-20-17); and AD 2021-15-05, Amendment 39-
21652 (86 FR 43409, August 9, 2021) (AD 2021-15-05).
[[Page 87319]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) Model GE90-
110B1 and GE90-115B engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7320, Fuel
Controlling System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an in-service occurrence of loss of
engine thrust control resulting in uncommanded high thrust. The FAA
is issuing this AD to prevent dispatch of the airplane when certain
faults caused by degradation of the MN4 integrated circuit in the
full authority digital engine control (FADEC) are displayed and
certain FADEC conditions are present, and to prevent failure of the
electronic engine control (EEC) FADEC integrated circuit (MN4)
microprocessor solder ball. 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) Retained Actions From AD 2020-20-17
(1) After October 23, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-20-
17), notwithstanding the provisions of the operator's minimum
equipment list (MEL), dispatch of an airplane is prohibited if the
engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) displays the
status message ``ENG EEC C1 L'' or ``ENG EEC C1 R'' and any
condition is present that is listed in the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(2)(f), 3.A.3(a), or 3.A.(4) of GE
GE90-100 Service Bulletin 73-0117 R01, dated August 5, 2020.
(2) As terminating action for the requirements of paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD, within 120 days of October 23, 2020 (the
effective date of AD 2020-20-17), revise the existing FAA-approved
MEL by incorporating into the MEL the dispatch restrictions listed
in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD as a required operation or
maintenance procedure. Specific alternative MEL wording to
accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD can
be approved by the operator's principal operations or maintenance
inspector.
(h) Retained Actions From AD 2021-15-05
(1) Within the following compliance times after September 13,
2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-15-05), replace the FADEC MN4
microprocessor using an approved overhaul procedure:
(i) For a FADEC MN4 microprocessor with 10,500 or more cycles
since new (CSN), replace the FADEC MN4 microprocessor before
accumulating 500 additional cycles on the FADEC MN4 microprocessor.
(ii) For a FADEC MN4 microprocessor with 5,000 CSN or more, but
fewer than 10,500 CSN, replace the FADEC MN4 microprocessor at the
next FADEC component shop visit or before accumulating 11,000 CSN on
the FADEC MN4 microprocessor, whichever occurs first.
(2) Thereafter, repeat the replacement of the FADEC MN4
microprocessor at the first FADEC component shop visit after
accumulating 5,000 cycles since the last replacement but before
accumulating 11,000 cycles since the last replacement.
(i) Retained Definitions From AD 2021-15-05
For the purpose of this AD:
(1) An ``approved overhaul procedure'' is one of the following:
(i) Replacement of the FADEC MN4 microprocessor using FADEC
International-approved maintenance procedures; or
(ii) Replacement of the FADEC MN4 microprocessor using the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A., of GE GE90-100 Service
Bulletin 73-0118, Revision 01, dated April 27, 2021.
(2) A ``FADEC component shop visit'' is the induction of the
FADEC into a repair facility to perform internal maintenance on the
FADEC.
(j) New Required Actions
Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, replace any
EEC FADEC software version that is earlier than A.0.8.6 with an EEC
FADEC software version that is eligible for installation.
(k) Terminating Action
The actions specified in paragraph (j) of this AD constitute
terminating action for all the requirements of paragraphs (g) and
(h) of this AD.
(l) Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on
any engine, an EEC FADEC software version that is earlier than
A.0.8.6.
(m) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, an ``EEC FADEC software version that
is eligible for installation'' is any software version that is
A.0.8.6 or later.
(n) 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 (o) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ccdc1c3cfcceaededa2ebe3fa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99d8d4d6dad9fff8f8b7fef6ef">[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.
(o) 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#fd9c9198859c9399988fd390d38995949e968e898893bd9b9c9cd39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="73121f160b121d1716015d1e5d071b1a10180007061d331512125d141c05">[email protected]</span></a>.
(p) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following material was approved for IBR on October 23,
2020 (85 FR 63443, October 8, 2020).
(i) General Electric Company (GE) GE90-100 Service Bulletin 73-
0117 R01, dated August 5, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following material was approved for IBR on September 13,
2021 (86 FR 43409, August 9, 2021).
(i) GE GE90-100 Service Bulletin 73-0118, Revision 01, dated
April 27, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For GE material identified in this AD, contact GE, 1 Neumann
Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f7e69767e6b7670713179737a7a6b6c6a6f6f706d6b5f237e3f776d7a7922" 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>.
(6) You may view this material 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.
(7) 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#1573673b7c7b66657076617c7a7b557b7467743b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ceafea2e5e2fffce9eff8e5e3e2cce2edfeeda2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on October 25, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-25377 Filed 10-31-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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