55728 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October

20, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–28320 Filed 10–27–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–243–AD; Amendment

39–10175; AD 97–22–04]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing

Model 747 and 767 Series Airplanes

Equipped With General Electric (GE)

CF6–80C2 Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Boeing Model 747

and 767 series airplanes. This action

requires revising the FAA-approved

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to

prohibit the use of certain fuels, and

either replacing the existing placard on

the door of the fueling control panel

with a new placard; or replacing all

dribble flow fuel nozzles (DFFN) with

standard fuel nozzles, which terminates

the requirements for a placard and AFM

revision. This amendment is prompted

by a report of an engine flameout during

certification testing due to the use of JP–

4 or Jet B fuel. The actions specified in

this AD are intended to prevent such

engine flameouts and consequent engine

shutdown.

DATES: Effective November 12, 1997.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of November

12, 1997.

Comments for inclusion in the rules

docket must be received on or before

December 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

243–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

The service information referenced in

this AD may be obtained from Boeing

Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box

3707, Seattle, Washington 98124–2207.

This information may be examined at

the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington; or at the Office of

the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Edward Hormel, Aerospace Engineer,

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2681;

fax (425) 227–1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA

has received a report indicating that,

during certification testing of a General

Electric (GE) CF6–80C2 engine on

which dribble flow fuel nozzles (DFFN)

were installed, an engine flameout

occurred on a McDonnell Douglas

Model MD–11 series airplane operating

with JP–4 fuel. The engine flameout

occurred at 33,000 feet following a

throttle movement from ‘‘cruise thrust’’

to ‘‘idle.’’ The report indicated that the

engine restarted successfully.

Additionally, results of a GE transient

engine model revealed that the subject

engines, on which a low emissions

combustor and DFFN’s have been

installed, have zero transient margin for

flameout when operating with JP–4 fuel.

Boeing Model 747 and 767 series

airplanes equipped with GE Model

CF6–80C2 engines on which DFFN’s

have been installed, in combination

with the use of wide cut fuels (i.e., JP–

4 or Jet B fuel) may result in a singleor multi-engine flameout and

consequent engine shutdown.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 747–

11A2052 (for Model 747 series

airplanes) and 767–11A0031 (for Model

767 series airplanes), both dated

September 11, 1997, which describe

procedures for removing the existing

placard on the door of the fueling

control panel and replacing it with a

new placard that prohibits the use of JP–

4 and Jet B fuels (wide cut fuels).

Additionally, these alert service

bulletins describe procedures for

removing the DFFN’s and replacing

them with standard fuel nozzles.

Accomplishment of this replacement on

the operator’s entire fleet eliminates the

need for a placard that prohibits the use

of wide cut fuels.

Explanation of the Requirements of the

Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on Boeing Model 747 and 767

series airplanes equipped with GE CF6–

80C2 engines that incorporate certain

DFFN’s, this AD is being issued to

prevent engine flameout and consequent

shutdown of the engine due to the use

of JP–4 or Jet B fuel. This AD requires

either replacement of the existing

placard on the door of the fueling

control panel with a new placard that

prohibits the use of JP–4 and Jet B fuels,

or the removal and replacement of the

DFFN’s with standard fuel nozzles.

Replacement of all DFFN’s with

standard fuel nozzles on the operator’s

entire fleet terminates the requirements

for a placard that prohibits the use of

wide cut fuels and the AFM revision.

These actions are required to be

accomplished in accordance with the

alert service bulletins described

previously.

This AD also requires a revision to the

Limitations Section of the FAAapproved Airplane Flight Manual

(AFM) to prohibit the use of JP–4 and

Jet B fuels.

Interim Action

This is considered interim action

until final action is identified, at which

time the FAA may consider further

rulemaking.

Determination of Rule’s Effective Date

Since a situation exists that requires

the immediate adoption of this

regulation, it is found that notice and

opportunity for prior public comment

hereon are impracticable, and that good

cause exists for making this amendment

effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule that involves requirements

affecting flight safety and, thus, was not

preceded by notice and an opportunity

for public comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or

arguments as they may desire.

Communications shall identify the rules

docket number and be submitted in

triplicate to the address specified under

the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before

the closing date for comments will be

considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that

supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 55729

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the 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 that

summarizes each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this AD

will be filed in the rules docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must

submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 97–NM–243–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

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 final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and that it is not a ‘‘significant

regulatory action’’ under Executive

Order 12866. It has been determined

further that this action involves an

emergency regulation under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is

determined that this emergency

regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared

and placed in the rules docket. A copy

of it, if filed, may be obtained from the

rules docket at the location provided

under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Incorporation by reference,

Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration amends 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), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

97–22–04 Boeing: Amendment 39–10175.

Docket 97–NM–243–AD.

Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes

having line positions 679 through 1117

inclusive, and Model 767 series airplanes

having line positions 158 through 661

inclusive; equipped with General Electric

(GE) CF6–80C2 engines, on which dribble

flow fuel nozzles (DFFN’s) having General

Electric part number 9331M72P33,

9331M72P34, or 9331M72P41, have been

installed; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

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

airplanes 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 (d) 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 engine flameout and

consequent shutdown due to the use of JP–

4 or Jet B fuel, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 14 days after the effective date

of this AD, revise Section 1 of the Limitations

Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight

Manual (AFM) to include the following

procedures. This may be accomplished by

inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

(1) Revise paragraph 1 of the Engine Fuel

System section to read as follows: ‘‘The fuel

designation is General Electric (GE)

Specification D50TF2, as revised. Fuel

conforming to commercial jet fuel

specification ASTM–D–1655, Jet A, and Jet

A–1 are authorized for unlimited use in this

engine. Fuels conforming to MIL–T–5624

grade JP–5 and MIL–T–83113 grade JP–8 are

acceptable alternatives. The engine will

operate satisfactorily with any of the

foregoing fuels or any mixture thereof.’’ And,

(2) Add the following sentence to

paragraph 2 of the Engine Fuel System

section: ‘‘The use of Jet B and JP–4 fuel is

prohibited.’’

(b) Within 30 days after the effective date

of this AD, accomplish the requirements of

paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, in

accordance with either Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin 747–11A2052 (for Model 747 series

airplanes) or 767–11A0031, (for Model 767

series airplanes), both dated September 11,

1997; as applicable.

(1) Remove the existing placard on the

door of the fueling control panel and replace

it with a new placard that restricts the use

of JP–4 and Jet B fuels (wide cut fuels), in

accordance with the applicable alert service

bulletin. Or

(2) Remove the DFFN’s, and replace them

with standard fuel nozzles, in accordance

with the applicable alert service bulletin.

When an operator’s entire fleet has had all

DFFN’s replaced with standard fuel nozzles,

the AFM revision required by paragraph (a)

of this AD may be removed from the AFM

and the placard required by paragraph (b)(1)

of this AD may be removed from each

airplane.

(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no

person shall install any DFFN’s having

General Electric part number 9331M72P33,

9331M72P34, or 9331M72P41, on any

airplane, unless the requirements of

paragraph (b)(1) of this AD have been

accomplished.

(d) 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, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators

shall submit their requests through an

appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

(e) 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 airplane to

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

(f) Except as provided by paragraph (a) of

this AD, the actions shall be done in

accordance with Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin 747–11A2052, dated September 11,

1997, or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767–

11A0031, dated September 11, 1997, as

applicable. This incorporation by reference

was approved by the Director of the Federal

Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)

and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained

from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group,

P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124–

2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,

DC.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on

November 12, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October

17, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–28317 Filed 10–27–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U