[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7387-7389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4013]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-ANE-38]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Aircraft Engines CF700 
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 General Electric Aircraft Engines 
(GE) CF700 series turbofan engines. This proposal would require 
replacement of existing fan guards with new, improved fan guards. This 
proposal is prompted by a report of uncontained fan blades which 
separated from the engine during an overspeed. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent an overspeed of the aft fan 
disk from resulting in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 21, 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. 96-ANE-38, 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 GE Aircraft Engines, 1000 Western Ave., Lynn, MA 01910; 
telephone (617) 594-3140, fax (617) 594-4805. This information may be 
examined at the

[[Page 7388]]

FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Keenan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 
238-7139, fax (617) 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 96-ANE-38.'' 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. 96-ANE-38, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received a report of 
uncontained fan blades on a General Electric Aircraft Engines (GE) 
CF700 series turbofan engine installed on a Marcel Avions Dassault 
Falcon 20 aircraft. During takeoff, the aircraft encountered a flock of 
birds that were ingested into the engine, which removed enough fan 
blades to unload the aft fan and allow the undamaged core rotor to 
overspeed the fan disk. This overspeed resulted in the release of fan 
blades, which penetrated the aircraft fuselage, resulting in an engine 
and aircraft fire. This condition, if not corrected, would allow an 
overspeed of the aft fan disk to result in an uncontained engine 
failure and damage to the aircraft.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of GE 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. (CF700) 72-154, dated December 20, 1996, that 
describes procedures for replacement of existing fan guards with new, 
improved fan guards.
    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, within two years after the effective date of 
this AD, replacement of existing fan guards with new, improved fan 
guards. This calendar end-date was determined based upon parts 
availability and risk analysis. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
    There are approximately 826 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 414 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 20 work hours per engine to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $50,000 per engine. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $21,196,800.
    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 ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 fm 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

General Electric Aircraft Engines: Docket No. 96-ANE-38.

    Applicability: General Electric Aircraft Engines (GE) CF700 
series turbofan engines, installed on but not limited to Marcel 
Avions Dassault Falcon 20, and Sabreliner NA265 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 (b) 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 an overspeed of the aft fan disk fmom resulting in an 
uncontained engine failure and damage to the aircraft, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
existing fan guards with new, improved fan guards, in accordance 
with GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. (CF700) 72-154, dated December 20, 
1996.
    (b) 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

[[Page 7389]]

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 fmom the Engine Certification Office.

    (c) 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 February 4, 1997.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-4013 Filed 2-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U