Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 182 / Friday, September 19, 1997 / Proposed Rules 49177

(11) Decrease to idle and maintain the

idle condition for 5 minutes.

(12) Perform an engine shutdown.

(c) During or following the endurance

test the fuel and oil consumption must

be determined.

33.51; 33.53; 33.55; 33.57

Noise requirements of FAR Part 36

Noise Standards Appendix J amended

by amendments 36–1 through the latest

amendment in effect at the time of Type

Certification.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September

3, 1997.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–25010 Filed 9–18–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 89–ANE–05]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; CFM

International CFM56–2, –3, –3B, –3C,

and –5 Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This notice proposes the

revision of an existing airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to CFM

International (CFMI) CFM56–2, –3, –3B,

–3C, and –5 series turbofan engines, that

currently requires repetitive magnetic

chip detector (MCD) inspections and

removal from service of certain No. 3

bearings. This action would remove the

requirement for MCD inspections for

certain No. 3 bearings if the bearing has

6,000 or more hours time in service

since new, extend the removal from

service date for certain No. 3 bearings,

change the inspection interval for

certain No. 3 bearings, delete a specific

No. 3 bearing part number, and replace

reference to specific maintenance

manuals with service bulletins. Other

requirements of the current AD would

remain unchanged and be carried over

into the proposed AD. This proposal is

prompted by additional data which

demonstrates a reduced bearing failure

rate after a period of time in service,

therefore, an acceptable level of safety

can be maintained with a relaxation of

some of the current AD requirements.

The actions specified by the proposed

AD are intended to prevent a No. 3

bearing failure, and a subsequent

inflight engine shutdown.

DATES: Comments must be received by

November 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England

Region, Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.

89–ANE–05, 12 New England Executive

Park, Burlington, MA 01803–5299.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

CFM International, Technical

Publications Department, 1 Neumann

Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone

(513) 552–2981, fax (513) 552–2816.

This information may be examined at

the FAA, New England Region, Office of

the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington,

MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Glorianne Messemer, Aerospace

Engineer, Engine Certification Office,

FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate,

12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA 01803–5299; telephone

(781) 238–7132, fax (781) 238–7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications

should identify the Rules Docket

number and be submitted in triplicate to

the address specified above. All

communications received on or before

the closing date for comments, specified

above, will be considered before taking

action on the proposed rule. The

proposals contained in this notice may

be changed in light of the comments

received.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report

summarizing each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this

proposal will be filed in the Rules

Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 89–ANE–05.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, New England Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket No. 89–ANE–05, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299.

Discussion

On October 11, 1989, the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA) issued

airworthiness directive (AD) 89–23–06,

Amendment 39–6370 (54 FR 43581,

October 26, 1989), to require a repetitive

inspection and removal from service

program for certain No. 3 bearings

installed on CFM International (CFMI)

CFM56–2, –3, –3B, –3C, and –5 series

turbofan engines. That action was

prompted by a high rate of No. 3 bearing

failures on CFM56 engines. That

condition, if not corrected, could result

in a No. 3 bearing failure, and a

subsequent inflight engine shutdown.

Since the issuance of AD 89–23–06,

the FAA has received additional data

concerning No. 3 bearing failures. This

data demonstrates that the failure rate

for No. 3 bearings with more than 6,000

hours time in service since new is

significantly lower than for those with

less than 6,000 hours. Therefore, the

FAA has determined that an acceptable

level of safety will be maintained with

a relaxation of some of the current AD

requirements.

In addition, since the issuance of AD

89–23–06, the manufacturer has also

requested and obtained approval for an

extension to the removal from service

date for certain No. 3 bearings. The new

date is December 31, 1997. Paragraphs

(a)(2) and (b)(2) of the proposed rule

reflect this new date.

Also, since the issuance of AD 89–23–

06, the manufacturer has obtained

approval for a new inspection interval

for CFM56–2 series engines. The new

interval is 75 hours. Paragraph (d) of the

proposed rule reflects this new interval.

Further, since the issuance of AD 89–

23–06, the manufacturer has advised the

FAA that No. 3 bearing, Part Number (P/

N) 1362M76P02, is not approved for

CFM56–2 series engines. The

manufacturer has confirmed that there

are currently none in service, and have

indicated that they do not plan to

introduce any into service in the future.

The manufacturer has therefore

requested that this P/N be deleted from

the AD. Paragraph (b) of the proposed

rule omits this P/N.
49178 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 182 / Friday, September 19, 1997 / Proposed Rules

Finally, this proposal deletes

reference to specific maintenance

manuals. Since issuance of AD 89–23–

06, the manufacturer has issued service

bulletins (SBs) which outline all aspects

of the No. 3 bearing inspection and

replacement program.

The FAA has reviewed and approved

the technical contents of CFM56–2 SB

No. 72–620, Revision 4, dated

November 17, 1995, CFM56–3/–3B/–3C

SB No. 72–530, Revision 3, dated

November 17, 1995, and CFM56–5 Alert

Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 72–A118,

Revision 1, dated August 1, 1997, that

describe the No. 3 bearing inspection

and replacement program.

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other products of this same

type design, the proposed AD would

revise AD 89–23–06 to remove the

requirement for MCD inspections for

certain No. 3 bearings if the bearing has

6,000 or more hours time in service

since new, extend the removal from

service date for certain No. 3 bearings,

change the inspection interval for

certain No. 3 bearings, delete a specific

No. 3 bearing P/N, and replace reference

to specific maintenance manuals with

service bulletins. Other requirements of

the current AD would remain

unchanged and be carried over into the

proposed AD.

All changes introduced in the

proposed rule are relaxatory in nature

except for the new inspection interval in

paragraph (d). The manufacturer has

advised the FAA that there is only one

engine not installed on a U.S. registered

aircraft that would be affected by this

new inspection interval. Therefore, no

additional cost to U.S. operators is

expected to result from this proposed

relaxatory action.

The regulations proposed herein

would not have substantial direct effects

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. Therefore,

in accordance with Executive Order

12612, it is determined that this

proposal would not have sufficient

federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that this proposed regulation (1)

is not a ‘‘major rule’’ under Executive

Order 12291; (2) is not a ‘‘significant

rule’’ under the DOT Regulatory Policies

and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February

26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, 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.

A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation

prepared for this action is contained in

the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be

obtained by contacting the Rules Docket

at the location provided under the

caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration proposes to amend part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

(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), 40101, 40113,

44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

removing Amendment 39–6370 (54 FR

43581, October 26, 1989) and by adding

the following new airworthiness

directive (AD):

CFM International: Docket No. 89–ANE–05.

Revises AD 89–23–06, Amendment 39–

6370.

Applicability: CFM International (CFMI)

CFM56–2, –3, –3B, –3C, and –5 series

turbofan engines, installed on but not limited

to Airbus A319 and A320 series, McDonnell

Douglas DC–8 series, and Boeing 737 series

aircraft.

Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD)

applies to each engine identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless

of whether it has been modified, altered, or

repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For engines that

have been modified, altered, or repaired so

that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must

request approval for an alternative method of

compliance in accordance with paragraph (h)

of this AD. The request should include an

assessment of the effect of the modification,

alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe

condition has not been eliminated, the

request should include specific proposed

actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent a No. 3 bearing failure and

subsequent inflight engine shutdown,

accomplish the following:

(a) For CFM56–3, –3B, and –3C series

engines equipped with No. 3 bearings, Part

Number (P/N) 9732M10P12 (Serial Number

(S/N) series FAFDxxxx and FAFExxxx);

9732M10P18; or 1362M76P02 accomplish

the following:

(1) Inspect the forward sump magnetic

chip detector (MCD) in accordance with

CFM56–3/–3B/–3C Service Bulletin (SB) No.

72–530, Revision 3, dated November 17,

1995, within the next 50 hours time in

service (TIS) after the effective date of this

AD. Thereafter, inspect the forward sump

MCD at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS

since the last inspection (SLI) in accordance

with CFM56–3/–3B/–3C SB No. 72–530,

Revision 3, dated November 17, 1995, until

accomplishment of paragraph (a)(2) of this

AD, or, for bearing P/N 9732M10P12, until

the TIS since new is 6,000 hours or more.

Remove from service, prior to further flight,

engines which exhibit MCD metallic debris

defined as not serviceable in accordance with

CFM56–3/–3B/–3C SB No. 72–530, Revision

3, dated November 17, 1995.

(2) Remove from service affected No. 3

bearings at the next shop visit, or before

December 31, 1997, whichever occurs first.

(b) For CFM56–2 series engines equipped

with No. 3 bearings, P/N 9732M10P12 (S/N

series FAFDxxxx and FAFExxxx) or

9732M10P18, accomplish the following:

(1) Inspect the forward sump MCD in

accordance with CFM56–2 SB No. 72–620,

Revision 4, dated November 17, 1995, within

the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date

of this AD. Thereafter, inspect the forward

sump MCD at intervals not to exceed 50

hours TIS SLI in accordance with CFM56–2

SB No. 72–620, Revision 4, dated November

17, 1995, until accomplishment of paragraph

(b)(2) below, or, for bearing P/N

9732M10P12, until the TIS since new is

6,000 hours or more. Remove from service,

prior to further flight, engines which exhibit

MCD metallic debris defined as not

serviceable in accordance with CFM56–2 SB

No. 72–620, Revision 4, dated November 17,

1995.

(2) Remove from service affected No. 3

bearings at the next engine shop visit, or

before December 31, 1997, whichever occurs

first.

(c) For CFM56–3, –3B, and –3C series

engines equipped with No. 3 bearings, P/N

9732M10P10; 9732M10P17; or 9732M10P12

(S/N series other than FAFDxxxx or

FAFExxxx), inspect the forward sump MCD

in accordance with CFM56–3/–3B/–3C SB

No. 72–530, Revision 3, dated November 17,

1995, within the next 75 hours TIS after the

effective date of this AD. Thereafter, inspect

the forward sump MCD at intervals not to

exceed 75 hours TIS SLI in accordance with

CFM56–3/–3B/–3C SB No. 72–530, Revision

3, dated November 17, 1995, until the bearing

TIS since new is 6,000 hours or more.

Remove from service, prior to further flight,

engines which exhibit MCD metallic debris

defined as not serviceable in accordance with

CFM56–3/–3B/–3C SB No. 72–530, Revision

3, dated November 17, 1995.

(d) For CFM56–2 series engines equipped

with No. 3 bearings, P/N 9732M10P10;

9732M10P17; or 9732M10P12 (S/N series

other than FAFDxxxx or FAFExxxx), inspect

the forward sump MCD in accordance with

the instructions of CFM56–2 SB No. 72–620,

Revision 4, dated November 17, 1995, within

the next 75 hours TIS after the effective date

of this AD. Thereafter, inspect the forward

sump MCD at intervals not to exceed 75

hours TIS SLI in accordance with CFM56–2

SB No. 72–620, Revision 4, dated November
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 182 / Friday, September 19, 1997 / Proposed Rules 49179

17, 1995, until the bearing TIS since new is

6,000 hours or more. Remove from service,

prior to further flight, engines which exhibit

MCD metallic debris defined as not

serviceable in accordance with CFM56–2 SB

No. 72–620, Revision 4, dated November 17,

1995.

(e) For CFM56–5 series engines equipped

with No. 3 bearing, P/N 9542M60P01, inspect

the forward sump MCD in accordance with

CFM56–5 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.

72–A118, Revision 1, dated August 1, 1997,

within the next 50 hours TIS after the

effective date of this AD. Thereafter, inspect

the forward sump MCD at intervals not to

exceed 50 hours TIS SLI in accordance with

CFM56–5 ASB No. 72–A118, Revision 1,

dated August 1, 1997. Remove from service,

prior to further flight, engines which exhibit

MCD metallic debris defined as not

serviceable in accordance with CFM56–5

ASB No. 72–A118, Revision 1, dated August

1, 1997.

(f) Bearing inspections accomplished in

accordance with AD 89–17–04 or AD 89–23–

06 satisfy the corresponding requirements of

this AD.

(g) For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit

is defined as exposure of the inlet gearbox.

(h) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Engine

Certification Office. The request should be

forwarded through an appropriate FAA

Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may

add comments and then send it to the

Manager, Engine Certification Office.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this airworthiness directive,

if any, may be obtained from the Engine

Certification Office.

(i) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199

of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

September 12, 1997.

Mark C. Fulmer,

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–24909 Filed 9–18–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–ANE–29–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; CFM

International CFM56–5B/2P Series

Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to CFM

International (CFMI) CFM56–5B/2P

series turbofan engines. This proposal

would require a reduction of the low

cycle fatigue (LCF) retirement life for

certain low pressure turbine (LPT)

cases. This proposal is prompted by the

results of a refined life analysis

performed by the manufacturer which

revealed minimum calculated LCF lives

significantly lower than the published

LCF retirement life. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are

intended to prevent a LCF failure of the

LPT case, which could result in damage

to the aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by

November 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England

Region, Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.

97–ANE–29–AD, 12 New England

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803–

5299. Comments may be inspected at

this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert J. Ganley, Aerospace Engineer,

Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine

and Propeller Directorate, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299; telephone (781) 238–7138;

fax (781) 238–7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications

should identify the Rules Docket

number and be submitted in triplicate to

the address specified above. All

communications received on or before

the closing date for comments, specified

above, will be considered before taking

action on the proposed rule. The

proposals contained in this notice may

be changed in light of the comments

received.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report

summarizing each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this

proposal will be filed in the Rules

Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 97–ANE–29–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, New England Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket No. 97–ANE–29–AD, 12

New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA 01803–5299.

Discussion

This proposed airworthiness directive

(AD) is applicable to CFM International

(CFMI) CFM56–5B/2P series turbofan

engines. A study performed by the

manufacturer using updated lifing

analyses based on recent engine test

results revealed that certain low

pressure turbine (LPT) cases have

minimum calculated low cycle fatigue

(LCF) lives which are significantly

lower than the published LCF

retirement life. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in a LCF failure

of the LPT case, which could result in

damage to the aircraft.

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other products of this same

type design, the proposed AD would

require a reduction of the LCF

retirement life for certain LPT cases.

There are approximately 18 engines of

the affected design in the worldwide

fleet. The manufacturer has advised the

FAA that there are no engines installed

on U.S. registered aircraft that would be

affected by this AD. Therefore, there is

no associated cost impact on U.S.

operators as a result of this AD.

However, should an affected engine be

imported on an aircraft and placed on

the U.S. registry in the future, and

assuming that the parts cost is

proportional to the reduction of the LCF

retirement life, the required parts would

cost approximately $40,423 per engine.

Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the proposed AD is estimated

to be $40,423 per engine.

The regulations proposed herein

would not have substantial direct effects

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. Therefore,