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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47235-47237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18794]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0475; Directorate Identifier 13-NE-18-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain

[[Page 47236]]

General Electric Company (GE) model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan 
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the original equipment 
manufacturer's disclosure that certain critical rotating life-limited 
parts (LLPs) used in Boeing 747-8 flight tests had consumed more cyclic 
life than they would have in revenue flight cycles. These parts were 
then installed into engines and introduced into revenue service without 
adjustment to remaining cyclic life. This proposed AD would require a 
one-time adjustment to the cycle counts of those LLPs to account for 
the additional low cycle fatigue (LCF) life consumed during flight 
tests. We are proposing this AD to prevent the failure of critical 
rotating LLPs, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 4, 2013.

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 http://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 proposed AD, contact 
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, One Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, OH; phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. You may 
view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: Jason.Yang@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite 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-2013-0475; 
Directorate Identifier 13-NE-18-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for certain GE model GEnx-2B67 and 
GEnx-2B67B turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by GE's 
disclosure that certain critical rotating LLPs used in Boeing 747-8 
flight tests had consumed more cyclic life than they would have in 
revenue flight cycles. This additional life usage was due to multiple 
changes in the engine rotor speed and thermal environment that are not 
performed in a typical revenue service flight. These parts were then 
installed into engines and introduced into revenue service without 
adjustment to remaining cyclic life. This proposed AD would require a 
one-time adjustment to the cycle counts of those LLPs to account for 
the additional LCF life consumed. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in the failure of critical rotating LLPs, uncontained 
engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. 72-0116, Revision 1, dated 
April 23, 2013. The SB lists each affected critical rotating LLP by 
part number and serial number and prescribes the exact number of cycles 
to add to the cycle count for each affected LLP as a one-time 
adjustment. The list is extensive.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require a one-time adjustment to the cycle 
counts of certain critical rotating LLPs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 
hour per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per hour. The prorated cost of required parts would be about 
$50,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the 
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $200,340.

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.
    We are 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

    We 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and

[[Page 47237]]

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
    (4) Will 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 (AD):

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0475; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-NE-18-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 4, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to certain serial number General Electric 
Company (GE) model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan engines. The 
affected GEnx-2B serial numbers are: 959-102 through 959-104; 959-
107; 959-110 through 959-111; 959-113 through 959-118; 959-121; 959-
124 through 959-133; 959-159 through 959-161; 959-164; 959-176; and 
959-191.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by GE's report that certain critical 
rotating life-limited parts (LLPs) used in Boeing 747-8 flight tests 
had consumed more cyclic life than they would have in revenue 
service flights. These parts were then installed into engines and 
introduced into revenue service without adjustment to remaining 
cyclic life. We are issuing this AD to prevent the failure of 
critical rotating LLPs, uncontained engine failure, and damage to 
the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) Adjust the Cycle Counts of Certain Critical Rotating LLPs

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
one-time adjustment to the cycle count of each part identified in 
paragraph 4, Appendix A, of GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. 72-0116, 
Revision 1, dated April 23, 2013.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jason Yang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
Jason.Yang@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to GE SB No. 72-0116, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2013 
for related information.
    (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, One Neumann 
Way, Cincinnati, OH; phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 25, 2013.
Frank P. Paskiewicz,
Acting Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18794 Filed 8-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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