DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[4910-13-P] 

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1289; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD; Amendment 

39-17323; AD 2013-02-02] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Turbofan Engines Modified by 

Supplemental Type Certificate SE00034EN 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for CFM 

International, S.A. CFM56-3, CFM56-3B, and CFM56-3C turbofan engines. This AD 

requires removal from service of certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) disks manufactured 

by Global Material Solutions of Pratt & Whitney, at reduced maximum life limits. This 

AD was prompted by a report of a forging process error during manufacture of these HPT 

disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained release of multiple turbine blades, 

damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL 

REGISTER]. 

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a 

certain publication listed in the AD as of [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE 

FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

We must receive comments on this AD by [INSERT DATE 45 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 of the following methods: 
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://v.rww.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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. , Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main 

St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-7700; fax: 860-565-1605. 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 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: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: kem1eth.steeves@faa.gov. 

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We received a report from Global Material Solutions of Pratt & Whitney, of a 

forging process error that occurred during manufacture ofHPT disks, part number (PIN) 

880026, serial numbers (SINs) GLKBAA9307, GLKBAA9335, GLKBAA9404, 

GLKBAA9407, and GLKBAA9409. During the last forging operation of the 

manufacturing process, the forging temperature at the disk rim was incorrect. This 

resulted in below allowable creep properties of the HPT disk, which reduced the 

calculated maximum life limits. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 

uncontained release of multiple turbine blades, damage to the engine, and damage to the 

airplane. 

FAA's Determination 

We are issuing 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 the same type design. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires removal of the affected HPT disks at reduced maximum life 

limits, as follows: 

• For CFM56-3, CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 

20,100 lbs maximum takeoff (MTO) thrust, remove the HPT disk on or 

before accumulating 8,000 cycles-since-new (CSN). 

• For CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 22,100 lbs 

MTO thrust, remove the HPT disk on or before accumulating 8,000 CSN. 

• For CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 23,500 lbs MTO thrust, 

remove the HPT disk on or before accumulating 4,000 CSN. 

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• For HPT disks that have been used in multiple models or thrust 

installations, the formula in the ADDED DATA section ofPratt & 

Whitney Special Instruction 6F -12 dated December 21 , 2012 must be used 

to calculate the remaining life on the disk. 

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date 

No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that notice and 

opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and that good cause exists for 

making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. Accordingly, this AD is effective 

upon publication. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was 

not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment. However, we invite you 

to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an 

address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket Number FAA-2012-

1289; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD" at the beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and 

energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 

and may amend this 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 AD. 

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 Agency's 

authority. 

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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 

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This 

AD will 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 this AD: 

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a "significant rule" under 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. 

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this 

AD and placed it in the AD docket. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. 

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Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA 

amends 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): 

2013-02-02 CFM International, S.A.: Amendment 39-17323; Docket No. 

FAA-2012-1289; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL 

REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to CFM International, S.A. CFM56-3, CFM56-3B, and 

CFM56-3C turbofan engines, modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SE00034EN, 

with a high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk, part number (PIN) 880026, serial number (SIN) 

GLKBAA9307, GLKBAA9335, GLKBAA9404, GLKBAA9407, or GLKBAA9409, 

installed. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of a forging process error during manufacture 

of these HPT disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained release of multiple 

turbine blades, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. 

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(e) Compliance 

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

(1) For CFM56-3, CFM56-3B, and CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 

20,100 lbs maximum takeoff (MTO) thrust, remove the HPT disk from service on or 

before accumulating 8,000 cycles-since-new (CSN). 

(2) For CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 22,100 lbs 

MTO thrust, remove the HPT disk from service on or before accumulating 8,000 CSN. 

(3) For CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 23,500 lbs MTO thrust, remove 

the HPT disk from service on or before accumulating 4,000 CSN. 

(4) For HPT disks that have been used in multiple models or thrust installations, 

the formula in the ADDED DATA section of Pratt & Whitney Special Instruction 6F -12 

dated December 21, 2012 must be used to calculate the remaining life on the disk. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 3 9.19 to make your request. 

(g) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, 

Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 

kenneth.steeves@faa. gov. 

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required 

by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

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(i) Pratt & Whitney Corp. Special Instruction No. 6F-12, dated December 21 , 

2012. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 

Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-7700; fax: 860-565-1605. 

( 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 of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. 

(5) You may view this service information at the National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, 

call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 14, 2013 . 

Thomas Boudreau, 

Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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