### DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice ofproposed rulemaking (NPRM). [4910-13-P]

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx turbofan engine models. This proposed AD was prompted by reports ofGEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines experiencing power loss in ice crystal icing (ICI) conditions. This proposed AD would preclude the use of full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software , version B 175 or earlier, in GEnx-1 B engines, and the
use ofFADEC software , version C065 or earlier, in GEnx-2B engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE Federal Register]. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45 , by any ofthe 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 Bui lding Gro und Floor , Room W12-140 , 1200 New Jersey Avenu e SE. , Washington , DC 20590.• Hand Delivery: Deli ve r to Mail address above between 9 a .m . and 5 p.m. , Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identifi ed in this proposed A D , contact General Electric Company , GE Aviation, Room 285 , 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati , OH 45215; 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 01803. For information on the availability ofthis 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 by searching for and locating Docket No
. FAA -2015-016 5; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m ., Monday through Friday , except Federal holid ays . The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation , any comments rec eived , 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 A D docket shortly after receipt. 

### FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomasz Rakowski, Aerospace Engineer , Engine Certification O ffice , FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate , 12 New England Executive Park , Burlington , MA 01803 ; phone : 781-238-7735 ; fax: 781-238- 7199; email: tomasz.rakowski @faa.gov. 

### SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite yo u to send any written re le vant data , views , or argum ents abo ut this NPRM
. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section
. Include " Docket No. FAA-2015-0165 ; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD " at the beginning of y our comments. We specificall y invite comments on the overall regu latory , economic , environmental , and energy aspects of this NPRM
. We wi ll consider all 2comments re c ei v ed b y the closin g date and may amend this NPRM because of those comments
. W e will po st all comments we receive , without ch ange , to http ://www. re gulations.gov , including an y personal information y ou provide
. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this NPRM
. Discussion We propose to adopt a new AD for all GE GEnx turbofan engine models. This proposed AD was prompted by reports ofGEnx-lB and GEnx

- 2B engines experiencing power loss in ICI conditions. Five engines experienced non-serviceable mechanical damage
. One engine did not recover power due to mechanical damage. This condition , if not corrected , could result in engine failure , lo s s of thrust control , and damage to the airplane
. This proposed AD would preclude the use of FADEC software , version B 175 or earlier in GEnx

- 1B engines , and the use ofFADEC software , version C065 or earlier , in GEnx-2B engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine failure , loss of thrust control , and damage to the airplane. Related Service Information under 1 CFR Part 51 We reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) No. 73-0036 , dated January 6 , 2015 , and GE GEnx -2B SB No. 73-0035 , dated September 16 , 2014
. The SBs describe procedures for installing FADEC software on GE GEnx-1B and GEnx

- 2B engine models. This serv ic e information is reas on abl y av ailabl e; see A DDRESS E S for way s to acce ss thi s serv ice inform ati on . FAA's D eterminatio n We are proposing th is NPRM becau se we evalu ated all the re levant in formation

and d etermine d th e un safe c onditi on de s crib e d p rev iousl y is like ly to ex i st o r deve lop in other products of the same typ e des ign . 3

### Proposed AD Requirements This NPRM would preclude the use ofFADEC software , version B 175 or earli er , in GEnx-1B engines , and the use ofFADEC software , version C065 or earlier , in GEnx2B engines
. 

### Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 80 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 hour per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. No parts are required
. Based on these figures , we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $6,800

. 

### 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 ofthe FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII : Aviation Programs , describes in more detail the scope ofthe Agenc y' s authority . We are is suing 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 re gulation is within the scope of that authority becaus e it addresses an un s afe condition th at i s likely to exist or deve lop on products identifi ed in thi s rul emaking action. 

### Regulatory Findings We determin ed that thi s pro pose d AD w ould no t have fede ralis m impli c ation s und er Executi v e Order 13 1 32. This pro pose d AD wo uld not have a sub stantial di rect effect on the States , on the rela ti on ship between th e nati onal Gov ernme nt and the States , 

### 4or 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 "s ignificant rule " under the DOT Regulatory Policies and 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 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 

### General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015- NE-02-AD. (a) 

### Comments Due Date We must receive comments by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE Federal Register]. 

### 5

### (b) Affected ADs None. 

### (c) Applicability This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B model turbofan engines with full authority digital engine control (F ADEC) software vers ion B 175 or earlier, installed , and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines with FADEC software version C065 or earlier, installed. 

### (d) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports ofGEnx-lB and GEnx-2B engines experiencing power loss in ice crystal icing (ICI) conditions. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine failure , loss of thrust control , and damage to the airplane. (e) 

### Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (1) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD , do not operate any GE GEnx1 B engine with FADEC software version B 175 or earlier , in stalled in the electronic
engine control (EEC). (2) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not operate any GE GEnx2B engine with FADEC software version C065 or earlier, installed in the EEC. 

### (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office , FAA , may appro ve AMOCs to this AD
. Use the procedures fo und in 14 CFR 39. 19 to make your request. You may email yo ur request to : ANE

-AD

-AMOC @ faa.gov. (g) 

### Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Tomasz Rakowski , Aerospace Eng ineer , Engin e Certification Office, FAA , Engine & Prope ll er Directorate , 12 New

6England Executive Park, Burlington , MA 01803 ; phone : 781-238-7735 ; fax: 781-238- 7199; email: tomasz.rakowski @ faa
. gov. (2) GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) No. 73-0036 , dated January 6 , 2015 , and GE GEnx-2B SB No. 73-0035 , dated September 16 , 2014 , which are not incorporated by reference in this proposed AD , can be obtained from GE using the contact information in paragraph (g)(3) ofthis proposed AD. (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation , Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215 ; phone : 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc @ ge.com. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate , 12 New England Executive Park , Burlington , MA. For information on the availability ofthis material at the FAA , call 781-238-7125.
Issued in Burlington , Massachusetts , on March 6, 2015.

Ann C. Mollica , Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate , Aircraft Certification Service.

7