Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rules 10493 

(g) Requirements 

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, EASA AD 2020–0227. 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020–0227 

(1) Where EASA AD 2020–0227 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(2) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2020–0227 does not apply to this AD. 

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation 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 responsible Flight 

Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending 

information directly to the Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation Branch, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any 

approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 

principal inspector, or lacking a principal 

inspector, the manager of the responsible 

Flight Standards Office. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain instructions 

from a manufacturer, the instructions must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA; or 

EASA; or ATR–GIE Avions de Transport 

Re ́gional’s EASA Design Organization 

Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, 

the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For information about EASA AD 2020– 

0227, contact the EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 

+49 221 8999 000; email ADs@

easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA AD on the EASA website at https://

ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 

material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 

Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. This 

material may be found in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1184. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 

Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

phone and fax: 206–231–3220; email: 

shahram.daneshmandi@faa.gov. 

Issued on January 23, 2021. 

Gaetano A. Sciortino, 

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–01850 Filed 2–19–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–1178; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–01325–T] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

2020–09–14, which applies to certain 

Airbus SAS Model A350–941 and –1041 

airplanes. AD 2020–09–14 requires 

revising the existing airplane flight 

manual (AFM) to define a liquidprohibited zone on the flight deck and 

provide procedures following liquid 

spillage on the center pedestal. AD 

2020–09–14 also requires installing a 

removable integrated control panel (ICP) 

cover on the flight deck and further 

revising the AFM to include 

instructions for ICP cover use. Since the 

FAA issued AD 2020–09–14, a new, 

water-resistant ICP has been developed. 

This proposed AD would require 

installing a new, water-resistant ICP, 

which would allow removing the ICP 

protective cover and the AFM revisions, 

as specified in a European Union 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 

which will be incorporated by reference. 

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 April 8, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• 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. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For material that will be incorporated 

by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact 

the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 

50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 

221 8999 000; email ADs@

easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

IBR material on the EASA website at 

https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may 

view this IBR material at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. 

It is also available in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 

1178. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 

1178; 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. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, 

Large Aircraft Section, International 

Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3218. 

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 ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1178; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2020–01325–T’’ 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 amend the 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 


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10494 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this proposed 

AD. 

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 Kathleen Arrigotti, 

Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation 

Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 

206–231–3218. Any commentary that 

the FAA receives which is not 

specifically designated as CBI will be 

placed in the public docket for this 

rulemaking. 

Discussion 

The FAA issued AD 2020–09–14, 

Amendment 39–19910 (85 FR 30601, 

May 20, 2020) (AD 2020–09–14), which 

applies to certain Airbus SAS Model 

A350–941 and –1041 airplanes. AD 

2020–09–14 requires revising the 

existing AFM to define a liquidprohibited zone on the flight deck and 

provide procedures following liquid 

spillage on the center pedestal. AD 

2020–09–14 also requires installing a 

removable ICP cover on the flight deck 

and further revising the AFM to include 

instructions for ICP cover use. AD 2020– 

09–14 superseded AD 2020–03–12, 

Amendment 39–19837 (85 FR 7863, 

February 12, 2020), which applied to all 

Airbus SAS Model A350–941 and –1041 

airplanes. Both ADs required revising 

the existing AFM to define a liquidprohibited zone on the flight deck and 

provide procedures following liquid 

spillage on the center pedestal. 

The FAA issued AD 2020–09–14 to 

address the potential for dual-engine inflight shutdown (IFSD), possibly 

resulting in a forced landing with 

consequent damage to the airplane and 

injury to occupants. 

Actions Since AD 2020–09–14 Was 

Issued 

The preamble to AD 2020–09–14 

explains that the FAA considers the 

requirements ‘‘interim action’’ and was 

considering further rulemaking. The 

FAA has now determined that further 

rulemaking is indeed necessary, and 

this proposed AD follows from that 

determination. Since the FAA issued 

AD 2020–09–14, a new, water-resistant 

ICP has been developed by the 

manufacturer to address the identified 

unsafe condition. 

The EASA, which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union, has issued EASA AD 

2020–0203, dated September 23, 2020 

(EASA AD 2020–0203) (also referred to 

as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or the 

MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 

for certain Airbus SAS Model A350–941 

and –1041 airplanes. EASA AD 2020– 

0203 superseded EASA AD 2020–0090 

(which corresponds to FAA AD 2020– 

09–14). 

This proposed AD was prompted by 

the development of a new, waterresistant ICP to prevent damage from 

inadvertent liquid spillage on the center 

pedestal. The FAA is proposing this AD 

to address the potential for dual-engine 

IFSD, possibly resulting in a forced 

landing with consequent damage to the 

airplane and injury to occupants. See 

the MCAI for additional background 

information. 

Explanation of Retained Requirements 

Although this proposed AD does not 

explicitly restate the requirements of AD 

2020–09–14, this proposed AD would 

retain all requirements of AD 2020–09– 

14 and revise the applicability. Those 

requirements are referenced in EASA 

AD 2020–0203, which, in turn, is 

referenced in paragraph (g) of this 

proposed AD. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2020–0203 describes 

procedures for revising the AFM to 

define a liquid-prohibited zone on the 

flight deck and provide procedures 

following liquid spillage on the center 

pedestal, installing an ICP cover on the 

flight deck, and further revising the 

AFM to include instructions for ICP 

cover use. EASA AD 2020–0203 also 

describes procedures for installing a 

new, water-resistant ICP; removing the 

ICP protective cover; and removing the 

AFM revisions. 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. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to the 

FAA’s bilateral agreement with the State 

of Design Authority, the FAA has been 

notified of the unsafe condition 

described in the MCAI referenced 

above. The FAA is proposing this AD 

because the FAA evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined an unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

EASA AD 2020–0203 described 

previously, as incorporated by 

reference, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this AD. The FAA also 

proposes to revise the applicability to 

exclude only airplanes on which Mod 

116038 was installed in production. 

Additionally, for airplanes modified per 

Mod 116010, which introduced the 

removable protective ICP cover, certain 

AFM requirements specified in EASA 

AD 2020–0203 would not be required by 

this proposed AD. 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA initially worked with 

Airbus and EASA to develop a process 

to use certain EASA ADs as the primary 

source of information for compliance 

with requirements for corresponding 

FAA ADs. The FAA has since 

coordinated with other manufacturers 

and civil aviation authorities (CAAs) to 

use this process. As a result, EASA AD 

2020–0203 will be incorporated by 

reference in the FAA final rule. This 

proposed AD would, therefore, require 

compliance with EASA AD 2020–0203 

in its entirety, through that 

incorporation, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD. 

Using common terms that are the same 

as the heading of a particular section in 

the EASA AD does not mean that 

operators need comply only with that 

section. For example, where the AD 

requirement refers to ‘‘all required 

actions and compliance times,’’ 

compliance with this AD requirement is 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rules 10495 

not limited to the section titled 

‘‘Required Action(s) and Compliance 

Time(s)’’ in the EASA AD. Service 

information specified in EASA AD 

2020–0203 that is required for 

compliance with EASA AD 2020–0203 

will be available on the internet at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1178 after the FAA final 

rule is published. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this proposed 

AD affects 15 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following costs 

to comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS(*) 

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Retained AFM revision from AD 2020–09– 

14.

1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 .............. $0 $85 ................... $1,105. 

Retained installation from AD 2020–09–14 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 .......... (*) $170 ................. $2,210. 

New proposed actions ................................. Up to 42 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up 

to $3,570.

(*) Up to $3,570 .... Up to $53,550. 

* The FAA has received no definitive data regarding cost estimates for these parts. 

The FAA has received no definitive 

data on which to base the cost estimates 

for the on-condition actions specified in 

this proposed AD. 

According to the manufacturer, some 

or all of the costs of this proposed AD 

may be covered under warranty, thereby 

reducing the cost impact on affected 

individuals. The FAA does not control 

warranty coverage for affected 

individuals. As a result, the FAA has 

included all known costs in the cost 

estimate. 

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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: 

■ a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 

2020–09–14, Amendment 39–19910 (85 

FR 30601, May 20, 2020); and 

■ b. Adding the following new AD: 

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA–2020–1178; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2020–01325–T. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments for this 

airworthiness directive (AD) action by April 

8, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 2020–09–14, 

Amendment 39–19910 (85 FR 30601, May 20, 

2020) (AD 2020–09–14). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model 

A350–941 and –1041 airplanes, certificated 

in any category, as identified in European 

Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 

2020–0203, dated September 23, 2020 (EASA 

AD 2020–0203). 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 31, Instruments. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by two reports of 

abnormal operation of the components of the 

ENG START panel or Electronic Centralized 

Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) Control Panel 

(ECP) due to liquid spillage in the system, 

and the subsequent uncommanded engine inflight shutdown (IFSD) of one engine in each 

case. This AD was also prompted by the 

development of a new, water-resistant 

integrated control panel (ICP) that will 

address this unsafe condition. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the potential for 

dual-engine IFSD, possibly resulting in a 

forced landing with consequent damage to 

the airplane and injury to occupants. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Requirements 

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, EASA AD 2020–0203. 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020–0203 

(1) Where EASA AD 2020–0203 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(2) Where EASA AD 2020–0203 refers to 

the effective date of EASA AD 2020–0020E, 

this AD requires using February 14, 2020 (the 

effective date of AD 2020–03–12). 

(3) Where EASA AD 2020–0203 refers to 

the effective date of EASA AD 2020–0090, 

this AD requires using June 4, 2020 (the 

effective date of AD 2020–09–14). 

(4) Where paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2020– 

0203 specifies removing the AFM [airplane 

flight manual] changes ‘‘as required by 

paragraph (2) or (4) of [the MCAI], as 

applicable,’’ this AD requires removing the 

AFM changes required by paragraph (1), (2), 

(4), or (5), as applicable, from the AFM. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
10496 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

(5) For airplanes with Mod 116010: This 

AD does not require the actions specified in 

paragraph (1), (3), and (4) of EASA AD 2020– 

0203, as specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. 

(6) ‘‘Note 1’’ of EASA AD 2020–0203 does 

not apply to this AD. However, after the 

actions required by EASA AD 2020–0203, 

paragraphs (3) to (5), as required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, have been 

accomplished on an airplane, that airplane 

may be operated with a damaged or missing 

ICP removable cover, provided provisions 

that address the ICP removable cover are 

included in the operator’s approved 

minimum equipment list (MEL). After the 

actions required by EASA AD 2020–0203, 

paragraph (6), as required by paragraph (g) of 

this AD, have been accomplished on an 

airplane, that airplane may be operated 

without an ICP removable cover, provided 

provisions that address the ICP removable 

cover are removed from the operator’s 

approved MEL. 

(7) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2020–0203 does not apply to this AD. 

(i) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits may be issued in 

accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 

to operate the airplane to a location where 

the actions specified in this AD can be 

accomplished (if the operator elects to do so), 

provided a removable ICP cover is installed 

on the flight deck. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation 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 responsible Flight 

Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending 

information directly to the Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation Branch, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any 

approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 

principal inspector, or lacking a principal 

inspector, the manager of the responsible 

Flight Standards Office. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain instructions 

from a manufacturer, the instructions must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA; or 

EASA; or Airbus’s EASA Design 

Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 

the DOA, the approval must include the 

DOA-authorized signature. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): For any 

service information referenced in EASA AD 

2020–0203 that contains RC procedures and 

tests: RC procedures and tests must be done 

to comply with this AD; any procedures or 

tests that are not identified as RC are 

recommended. Those procedures and tests 

that are not identified as RC may be deviated 

from using accepted methods in accordance 

with the operator’s maintenance or 

inspection program without obtaining 

approval of an AMOC, provided the 

procedures and tests identified as RC can be 

done and the airplane can be put back in an 

airworthy condition. Any substitutions or 

changes to procedures or tests identified as 

RC require approval of an AMOC. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) For information about EASA AD 2020– 

0203, contact the EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 

+49 221 8999 000; email ADs@

easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA AD on the EASA website at https://

ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 

material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 

Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. This 

material may be found in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1178. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 

Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3218. 

Issued on January 19, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–01609 Filed 2–19–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–1179; Project 

Identifier AD–2020–00818–E] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; General 

Electric Company Turbofan 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 all 

General Electric Company (GE) CF6– 

80A, CF6–80A1, CF6–80A2, CF6–80A3, 

CF6–80C2A1, CF6–80C2A2, CF6– 

80C2A3, CF6–80C2A5, CF6–80C2A5F, 

CF6–80C2A8, CF6–80C2B1, CF6– 

80C2B1F, CF6–80C2B1F1, CF6– 

80C2B1F2, CF6–80C2B2, CF6–80C2B2F, 

CF6–80C2B3F, CF6–80C2B4, CF6– 

80C2B4F, CF6–80C2B5F, CF6–80C2B6, 

CF6–80C2B6F, CF6–80C2B6FA, CF6– 

80C2B7F, CF6–80C2B8F, CF6– 

80C2D1F, CF6–80C2K1F and CF6– 

80C2L1F model turbofan engines. This 

proposed AD was prompted by an 

inspection by the manufacturer that 

revealed cracking of the high-pressure 

turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disk. This 

proposed AD would require visual 

inspection and fluorescent penetrant 

inspection (FPI) of the HPT thermal 

shield and, if cracking is detected, 

removal from service of the HPT 

thermal shield, HPT rotor stage 1 disk 

and HPT rotor stage 2 disk. 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 April 8, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• 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. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact General Electric 

Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, 

OH 45215; phone: (513) 552–3272; 

email: aviation.fleetsupport@ae.ge.com; 

website: www.ge.com. 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 (781) 238– 

7759. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1179; 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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kevin M. Clark, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 

District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 

phone: (781) 238–7088; fax: (781) 238– 

7199; email: Kevin.M.Clark@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS