Proposed Rule2026-05403
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines
Primary source
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Published
March 19, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model GEnx-1B64, GEnx-1B64/ P1, GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70, GEnx-1B70/75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx- 1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/ P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-2B67/P engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fuel leak caused by a defective fuel tube hose connecting the main fuel-oil heat exchanger. This proposed AD would require removal of all affected fuel tube hoses from service and replacement with parts eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13238-13240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05403]
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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.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 53 / Thursday, March 19, 2026 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 13238]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-2717; Project Identifier AD-2025-01668-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model GEnx-1B64, GEnx-1B64/
P1, GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70,
GEnx-1B70/75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-
1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/
P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-2B67/P engines. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fuel leak caused by a
defective fuel tube hose connecting the main fuel-oil heat exchanger.
This proposed AD would require removal of all affected fuel tube hoses
from service and replacement with parts eligible for installation. 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 4,
2026.
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-2026-2717; 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 AD, contact GE, 1
Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#38594e51594c515756165e545d5d4c4b4d4848574a4c78045918504a5d5e05" 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: Itanza Young, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(206) 482-6306; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c25382d22362d622262352339222b0c2a2d2d622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="157c61747b6f743b7b3b6c7a607b72557374743b727a63">[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 using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-2717;
Project Identifier AD-2025-01668-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
Itanza Young, 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 received a report where a Boeing 787-8 Model airplane
powered by GE Model GEnx-1B70/P2 engines experienced a fuel imbalance
caused by a fuel leak from a fuel tube hose that connects the main
fuel-oil heat exchanger. A manufacturer investigation revealed that a
suspected manufacturing defect in the hose assembly caused the fuel
tube hose to crack and leak. The investigation identified that the
defect was associated with certain hose preform manufacturing lot
numbers that were used to manufacture multiple fuel tube hose
assemblies installed on both GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines. As a result,
GE published service material with instructions for identifying and
removing all affected fuel tube hoses by preform manufacturing lot
number. This condition, if not addressed, could result in an
uncontrolled engine fire and damage to the airplane.
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.
[[Page 13239]]
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0116 R00,
dated November 4, 2025 (GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0116 R00); and GE GEnx-2B SB
73-0108 R00, dated November 4, 2025 (GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00). This
material specifies procedures for identification of the preform
manufacturing lot numbers of the affected fuel cooled oil cooler (FCOC)
fuel return hose manifold, FCOC fuel cooling inlet tube hose, heat
exchanger fuel tube hose, and heat exchanger inlet fuel tube hose. 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 require removal of all affected fuel tube
hoses from service and replacement with parts eligible for
installation.
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 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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Replace FCOC fuel return hose manifold 8 work-hours x $85 per hour $1,521 $2,201 $24,211
(11 GE Model GEnx-1B engines). = $680.
Replace FCOC fuel cooling inlet tube hose 8 work-hours x $85 per hour 1,695 2,375 26,125
(11 GE Model GEnx-1B engines). = $680.
Replace heat exchanger fuel tube hose (2 8 work-hours x $85 per hour 1,090 1,770 3,540
GE Model GEnx-2B engines). = $680.
Replace heat exchanger inlet fuel tube 8 work-hours x $85 per hour 1,313 1,993 3,986
hose (2 GE Model GEnx-2B engines). = $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-2026-2717; Project
Identifier AD-2025-01668-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 4, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) engines
listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD with a fuel tube hose
installed having a part number (P/N) identified in table 1 to
paragraph (c) of this AD.
(1) GEnx-1B engines: Model GEnx-1B64, GEnx-1B64/P1, GEnx-1B64/
P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70, GEnx-1B70/75/
P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P1,
GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, and
GEnx-1B76A/P2.
(2) GEnx-2B engines: Model GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-2B67/
P.
Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Affected Fuel Tube Hoses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine model Part name P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEnx-1B........................ Fuel cooled oil cooler 2426M07P01
(FCOC) fuel return
hose manifold.
FCOC fuel cooling inlet 2426M08P01
tube hose.
GEnx-2B........................ Heat exchanger fuel 2477M34P01
tube hose.
[[Page 13240]]
Heat exchanger inlet 2477M35P01
fuel tube hose.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7310, Engine Fuel
Distribution.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a fuel leak caused by a
defective fuel tube hose connecting the main fuel-oil heat
exchanger. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent cracking and fuel
leakage in affected fuel tube hoses. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in uncontrolled engine fire and damage to
the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD:
(1) A ``part eligible for installation'' is any fuel tube hose
that does not have a P/N identified in table 1 to paragraph (c) of
this AD with preform manufacturing lot number 684141 or 677536.
(2) An ``engine shop visit'' is the induction of an engine into
the shop for maintenance.
(h) Required Actions
(1) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of
this AD, identify the preform manufacturing lot number for the FCOC
fuel return hose manifold, FCOC fuel cooling inlet tube hose, heat
exchanger fuel tube hose, and heat exchanger inlet fuel tube hose in
accordance with the following, as applicable:
(i) For GEnx-1B engines, Figure 1 of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin
(SB) 73-0116 R00, dated November 4, 2025.
(ii) For GEnx-2B engines, Figure 1 of GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00,
dated November 4, 2025.
(2) If the preform manufacturing lot number of the affected fuel
tube hose is 684141 or 677536, remove the affected fuel tube hose
and replace it with a part eligible for installation.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Where GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0116 R00 and GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00
require reporting part identification for affected fuel tube hoses,
this AD does not require that action.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
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 (k) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4405090b07042225256a232b32"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="591814161a193f3838773e362f">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 Itanza Young,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (206) 482-6306; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c5acb1a4abbfa4ebabebbcaab0aba285a3a4a4eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f19885909f8b90df9fdf889e849f96b1979090df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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.
(i) GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0116 R00, dated November
4, 2025. (ii) GE GEnx-2B SB 73-0108 R00, dated November 4, 2025.
(3) For GE material 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#84e5f2ede5f0edebeaaae2e8e1e1f0f7f1f4f4ebf6f0c4b8e5a4ecf6e1e2b9" 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 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.
(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#462034682f2835362325322f2928062827342768212930"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2543570b4c4b56554046514c4a4b654b4457440b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on March 17, 2026.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05403 Filed 3-18-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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