Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 5761

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–ANE–51–AD; Amendment

39–11559; AD 2000–03–02]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General

Electric Company GE90 Series

Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain General Electric

Company (GE) GE90 series turbofan

engines, that requires reducing the

cyclic life limits for certain fan mid

shafts with undesirable microstructure,

and removing from service those mid

fan shafts prior to exceeding the new

limits and replacing with serviceable

parts. This amendment is prompted by

reports of magnetic particle inspections

conducted by the manufacturer

identifying segregation in the raw

material, resulting in lower fatigue life

properties. The actions specified by this

AD are intended to prevent fan mid

shaft failure, which could result in a

total loss of thrust and inflight engine

shutdown.

DATES: Effective April 7, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William S. Ricci, Aerospace Engineer,

Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine

and Propeller Directorate, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299; telephone 781–238–7742,

fax 781–238–7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A

proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to

include an airworthiness directive (AD)

that is applicable to General Electric

Company (GE) GE90–90B, –85B, and

–76B series turbofan engines was

published in the Federal Register on

November 26, 1999 (64 FR 66415). That

action proposed to reduce the cyclic life

limits for certain fan mid shafts with

undesirable microstructure, and remove

from service those fan mid shafts prior

to exceeding the new limits and replace

with serviceable parts. That action was

prompted by reports of magnetic

particle inspections conducted by the

manufacturer identifying segregation in

the raw material, resulting in lower

fatigue life properties. That condition, if

not corrected, could result in fan mid

shaft failure, which could result in a

total loss of thrust and inflight engine

shutdown.

Comments Received

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. Due

consideration has been given to the

comments received.

Change Unsafe Condition Language

One commenter states that the

statement of unsafe condition in the

proposed rule is not accurate. The

commenter believes that the language

used does not correctly reflect the

failure consequences of the fan mid

shaft. The commenter also is concerned

that the engine is not in compliance

with Federal Aviation Regulations

(FAR) 33 (14 CFR 33) requirements

regarding shaft failure. The FAA

concurs in part. Though the language

used in the statement of unsafe

condition in the proposal is typical of

life limited parts ADs, a more accurate

description of the failure consequences

of the fan mid shaft would be a total loss

of thrust and inflight engine shutdown.

The statement of unsafe condition in

this final rule has been changed

accordingly.

GE90 Engine Model Applicability

The same commenter believes the

proposal should apply to all GE90

engine models and not just those listed

in the applicability. The FAA does not

concur. The proposal addresses those

fan mid shaft part numbers (P/Ns) and

engine models that have had their

published life limits reduced. This

proposal does not address the fan mid

shafts P/Ns and engine models that have

had their published life limits

increased. These fan mid shafts P/Ns

and engine model combinations are

discussed in GE90 Alert Service

Bulletin 72–A0389, Revision 1, dated

August 25, 1999.

Delete Ferry Flight Authorization

The same commenter believes that the

special flight permit authorization

paragraph included in the proposal

should be deleted. The commenter

believes that ferry flight permits should

not be authorized in the case of a life

reduction AD. The FAA concurs and

that paragraph has been removed from

this final rule.

Concurrence

One commenter concurs with the rule

as proposed.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available

data, including the comments noted

above, the FAA has determined that air

safety and the public interest require the

adoption of the rule with the changes

described previously. The FAA has

determined that these changes will

neither increase the economic burden

on any operator nor increase the scope

of the AD.

Economic Analysis

There are approximately 118 engines

of the affected design in the worldwide

fleet. The FAA estimates that 4 engines

installed on aircraft of US registry will

be affected by this AD and that the

prorated life reduction will cost

approximately $71,000 per engine.

Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the AD on US operators is

estimated to be $284,000.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is

determined that this final rule does not

have federalism implications under

Executive Order (EO) 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that this action (1) Is not a

‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under EO

12866; (2) is not a ‘‘significant rule’’

under DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,

1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has

been prepared for this action and it is

contained in the Rules Docket. A copy

of it 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, 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.

5762 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 25 / Monday, February 7, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

2000–03–02 General Electric Company:

Amendment 39–11559. Docket 98–ANE–

51–AD.

Applicability: General Electric Company

(GE) GE90–90B, –85B, and –76B series

turbofan engines, with fan mid shafts, part

numbers (P/Ns) 1767M71G01, 1767M71G02,

and 1767M75G02, installed. These engines

are installed on but not limited to Boeing 777

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 (c)

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 fan mid shaft failure, which

could result in a total loss of thrust and

inflight engine shutdown, accomplish the

following:

Reduced Life Limits

(a) Remove from service fan mid shafts and

replace with serviceable parts prior to the

following new, lower cyclic life limits:

(1) For fan mid shafts, P/N 1767M71G01,

installed on GE90–85B and –90B series

engines, the new life limit is 4,200 cyclessince-new (CSN).

(2) For fan mid shafts, P/N 1767M71G02,

installed on GE90–85B and –90B series

engines, the new life limit is 4,200 CSN.

(3) For fan mid shafts, P/N 1767M75G02,

installed on GE90–76B, –85B, and –90B

series engines, the new life limit is 8,200

CSN.

(b) This AD establishes new life limits for

fan mid shafts, P/N 1767M71G01,

1767M71G02, and 1767M75G02. Except as

provided in paragraph (c) of this AD, no

alternate life limits for these affected parts

may be approved.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) 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. Operators shall submit

their requests 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.

(d) This amendment becomes

effective on April 7, 2000.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

February 1, 2000.

David A. Downey,

Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–2686 Filed 2–4–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00–ACE–4]

Remove Class D and Class E Airspace;

Kansas City, Richards-Gebaur Airport,

MO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration [FAA], DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This action removes the Class

D and Class E airspace areas at Kansas

City, Richards-Gebaur Airport, MO. The

airport was closed January 9, 2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC April 20,

2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brenda Mumper, Air Traffic Division,

Airspace Branch, ACE–520A, DOT

Regional Headquarters Building, Federal

Aviation Administration, 901 Locust,

Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone:

(816) 329–2524.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On January 9, 2000, the Kansas City,

Richard-Gebaur Airport, MO was

closed. Based on the airport being

closed the Class D and Class E airspace

areas are no longer necessary.

The Rule

This amendment to part 71 of the

Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 71)

removes the Class D and Class E

airspace areas at Kansas City, RichardsGebaur Airport, MO, extending upward

from the surface to 1200 feet Above

Ground Level (AGL). The closing of the

airport made this action necessary.

The FAA concludes that there is an

immediate need to remove the Class D

and Class E airspace in order to

incorporate this change into the next

Sectional Chart and avoid confusion on

the part of the pilots. Therefore, it is

found that notice and opportunity to

prior public comment herein are

impracticable, and that good cause

exists for making this amendment

effective in less than 30 days.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation only involves an established

body of technical regulations for which

frequent and routine amendments are

necessary to keep them operationally

current. Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is

not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’

under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not

a ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)

does not warrant preparation of a

Regulatory Evaluation as the anticipated

impact is so minimal. Since this is a

routine matter that will only affect air

traffic procedures and air navigation, it

is certified that this rule will not have

a significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities

under the criteria of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

Aviation, Incorporation by reference,

Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the

Federal Aviation Administration

amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,

CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND

CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS;

AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING

POINTS

1. The authority citation for Part 71

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113,

40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–

1963 Comp., p. 389.

§ 71.1 [Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in

14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation

Administration Order 7400.9G, Airspace

Designations and Reporting Points,

dated September 10, 1999, and effective

September 16, 1999, is amended as

follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace area

designated for an airport that contains at

least one primary airport around which the

airspace is designated

* * * * *

ACE MO D Kansas City, Richards-Gebaur

Airport, MO [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace areas

designated as an Extension to Class D

airspace area

ACE MO E4 Kansas City, Richards-Gebaur

Airport, MO [Removed]

* * * * *