[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1949-1951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-498]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

RIN 2120-AA64
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25896; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-33-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF34-10E 
Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-10E series 
turbofan engines. That AD currently requires removing the fuel inlet 
strainer from main fuel pump (MFP) part number (P/N) 2043M12P03, 
installing a certain replacement flange as an interim repair, remarking 
the MFP to P/N 2043M12P04, and performing initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of the main fuel filter. This proposed AD would require 
removing MFPs, P/N 2043M12P03 and 2043M12P04 from service and 
installing an improved MFP with a different P/N. This proposed AD 
results from GE determining that the cause of MFP fuel strainer failure 
is a design problem with the strainer. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent engine in-flight shutdown due to MFP malfunctions.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 19, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to  http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact General Electric Company via Lockheed Martin Technology 
Services, 10525 Chester Road, Suite C, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215, 
telephone (513) 672-8400, fax (513) 672-8422, for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Fitzgerald, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: (781) 238-
7130, fax: (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-25896; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-33-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA

[[Page 1950]]

personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of the 
DMS Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments 
received and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    On September 21, 2006, we issued AD 2006-20-06, Amendment 39-14775 
(71 FR 60663, October 16, 2006). That AD requires removing the MFP 
inlet strainer from the MFPs, installing a certain replacement flange 
as an interim repair, remarking the MFP to P/N 2043M12P04, and 
performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the main fuel 
filter. That AD was the result of three reports of release of the 
tripod support legs on the MFP inlet strainer, leading to engine in-
flight shutdown. That condition, if not corrected, could result in 
engine in-flight shutdown due to MFP malfunctions.

Actions Since AD 2006-20-06 Was Issued

    Since AD 2006-20-06 was issued, GE determined that the cause of MFP 
fuel inlet strainer failure is a design problem with the strainers 
installed in the MFPs. GE has introduced MFP P/N 2043M12P05, which has 
a more robust design fuel inlet strainer.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design. For that reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require removing MFPs, P/N 2043M12P03 and 2043M12P04 from 
service and installing an improved MFP, not later than April 30, 2007.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 50 CF34-10E series 
turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also 
estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per engine to perform 
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-
hour. Required parts would cost about $4,226 per engine to upgrade the 
MFP to a different P/N to make it serviceable. Based on these figures, 
we estimate the total upgrade cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators 
to be $223,300.

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 have 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 that the 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 Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the 
Federal Aviation Administration 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-14775 (71 FR 
60663, October 16, 2006) and by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2006-25896; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NE-33-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by March 19, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-20-06, Amendment 39-14755.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF34-
10E2A1, -10E5, -10E5A1, -10E6, -10E6A1, and -10E7 turbofan engines, 
with main fuel pump (MFP) part number (P/N) 2043M12P03 or P/N 
2043M12P04, installed. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Embraer ERJ 190-100-STD, ERJ 190-100-LR, and ERJ 190-
100-IGW airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from GE determining that the cause of MFP 
fuel strainer failure is a design problem with the strainer. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown due to MFP 
malfunctions.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

MFP Removal and Installation

    (f) Not later than April 30, 2007, remove MFPs, P/N 2043M12P03 
and 2043M12P04, from service and install a serviceable MFP.

Definition

    (g) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable MFP is one that 
does not have P/N 2043M12P03 or 2043M12P04.

Recommended Actions

    (h) We recommend that operators avoid performing the actions in 
this AD on both

[[Page 1951]]

engines installed on the same airplane at the same time, if at all 
possible.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the 
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) GE Service Bulletin No. CF34-10E S/B 73-0013, dated December 
15, 2006, pertains to the subject of this AD.
    (k) Contact Tara Fitzgerald, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7138, fax (781) 238-7199; e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e89c899a89c68e819c928f8d9a89848ca88e8989c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="275346554609414e535d404255464b436741464609404851">[email protected]</span></a> for more 
information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 10, 2007.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-498 Filed 1-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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