[Docket No. F AA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD; Amendment 

39-18212; AD 2015-15-03] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

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

Electric Company (GE) GEnx turbofan engine models. This AD was prompted by reports 

of GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines experiencing power loss in ice crystal icing (ICI) 

conditions. This AD precludes the use of full authority digital engine control (F ADEC) 

software, version B 175 or earlier, in GEnx-1B engines, and the use ofF ADEC software, 

version C065 or earlier, in GEnx-2B engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine 

failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric 

Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 

513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. You may view this service information at the 

FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 

01803. For information on the availability ofthis material at the FAA, call781-238-7125. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. F AA-2015-0165; or in person at the Docket 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McGuire, Aerospace 

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

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: chris.mcguire@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 

adding an AD that would apply to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx turbofan 

engine models. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 17, 2015 (80 FR 

13797). The NPRM was prompted by reports of GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines 

experiencing power loss in ICI conditions. The NPRM proposed to preclude the use of 

F ADEC software, version B 175 or earlier, in GEnx-1 B engines, and the use ofF ADEC 

software, version C065 or earlier, in GEnx-2B engines. We are issuing this AD to correct 

the unsafe condition on these products. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The 

following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each 

comment. 

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crystal icing. United indicated that the proposed AD would allow engines to operate with 

F ADEC software versions B 178 and B 180, which do not provide the protection of 

software version B185. 

We do not agree. We fmd that use ofFADEC software version B175 

or earlier provides an adequate level of safety for inadvertent encounters in ICI 

environments. We did not change this AD. 

Request to Withdraw AD and Supersede Another AD 

United requested that we withdraw the proposed rule and, instead supersede AD 

2013-24-01 (78 FR 70851, November 27, 2013), which requires revising the airplane 

flight manual for Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes and Model 787-8 airplanes 

powered by GEnx engines. 

We do not agree. Our AD addresses the susceptibility of GEnx engines when 

operating inadvertently in ICI conditions. AD 2013-24-01 (78 FR 70851, November 27, 

2013) is setting operational limitations on Boeing Model 747-8, 747-8F, and 787-8 

airplanes equipped with GEnx engines. The ADs have different purposes, and 

superseding AD 2013-24-01 is outside the scope of this AD. We did not withdraw this 

AD. 

Support for the NPRM 

The Boeing Company and the General Electric Company expressed support for 

the proposed rule. 

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We estimate that this AD affects 80 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it will take about 1 hour per engine to comply with this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per hour. No parts are required. Based on these figures, we 

estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $6,800. 

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 ofthat 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: 

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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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

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

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): 

2015-15-03 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-18212; Docket 

No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

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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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

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

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): 

****-**-**General Electric Company: Amendment 39-**; Docket 

No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

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C065 or earlier, installed. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports ofGEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines 

experiencing power loss in ice crystal icing (ICI) conditions. We are issuing this AD to 

prevent engine failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Compliance 

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

(1) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not operate any GE GEnx1 B engine with F ADEC software version B 175 or earlier, installed in the electronic 

engine control (EEC). 

(2) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not operate any GE GEnx2B engine with F ADEC software version C065 or earlier, installed in the EEC. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

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

AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. You may email 

your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(g) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Christopher McGuire, Aerospace 

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

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7120; fax : 781-238-

7199; email: chris.mcguire@faa.gov. 

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(3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact General 

Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 

phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. 

( 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. 

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 13, 2015. 

~~_..IC.-7--

Carlos A. Pestana, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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