DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2012-1288; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-37-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) , DOT. ACTION: Notice ofproposed rulemaking (NPRM). [4910-13-P]

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C and CF34-8E turbofan engines with certain part numbers (PIN) ofoperability bleed valves (OBV) installed

. This proposed AD was prompted by three failure events ofring lock fuel fittings on the OBV. Two ofthose events led to an engine fire. This proposed AD would require the affected OBVs be removed from service and replaced with OBVs eligible for installation. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure ofOBV ring lock fuel fittings , engine fuel leakage, uncontrolled fire , and damage to the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: You may send comments , using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45 , by any ofthe following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http ://www. regul ations. gov . Follow the instructions for submitting comments
. • Fax: 202-493-2251.

• Mail : U.S. Department ofTransportation, Docket Operations , M-30 , West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. , Washington, DC 20590.• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this proposed AD , contact General Electric, One Neumann Way , MD Y-75 , Cincinnati , OH; phone: 513-552-2913; email: geae.aoc @ ge.com; and website : www.GE

.com. You view the referenced service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability ofthis material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http ://wwvv. regulations. go v;

or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays

. The AD docket contains this proposed AD , the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone : 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Frost, Aerospace Engineer, Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7756 ; fax: 781-238-7199; email :john.frost@ faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views , or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include " Docket No. FAA-2012-1288; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-37-AD" at the beginning ofyour comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory , economic , environmental , and energy aspects ofthis proposed AD. We will consider all

2comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http ://w\ nv. regulati ons .gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD. Discussion We received reports ofthree failure events of OBV ring lock fuel fittings on GE CF34-8C turbofan engines. Two ofthose events led to an engine fire

. Investigation revealed that the ring lock fittings failed due to fatigue caused by improper broaching of the OBV housing during manufacture, and, improper installation ofthe ring lock fittings during OBV assembly. GE CF34-8E turbofan engines also use the affected OBVs and would be affected by this proposed AD. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of OBV ring lock fuel fittings , engine fuel leakage, uncontrolled fire , and damage to the airplane. Relevant Service Information We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. CF34-8C-AL S/B 75-0017 , dated September 14 2012. We also reviewed GE SB No. CF34-8E-AL S/B 75-0012 , dated September 14, 2012. These bulletins describe procedures for removing from service OBVs having an affected 

### PIN

. FAA's Determination We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products ofthe same type design

.

3Proposed AD Requirements This proposed AD would require for all GE CF34-8C and CF34-8E turbofan engines with an OBV PIN 4121T67P02 , PIN 4121T67P03 , PIN 4121T67P04, parts manufacturer approval (PMA) PIN 392155-2, PMA PIN 392155-3 , or PMA PIN 392155- 4 installed, removal ofthe OBV from service

. 

### Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 300 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about two hours per engine to perform the actions required by this proposed AD , and that the average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts would cost about $25 ,000 per engine. Based on these figures , we estimate the total cost ofthe proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $7 ,551 ,000. Authority for this Rulemaking Title 49 ofthe United States Code specifies the FAA ' s authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority ofthe FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs , describes in more detail the scope ofthe 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 We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct 4effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution ofpower and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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 FR 11034, February 26 , 1979) , (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria ofthe Regulatory Flexibility Act. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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: Docket No. FAA-2012-1288; Directorate Identifier 2012- NE-37-AD

. (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]

. 

### 5(b) Affected ADs None

. (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C1 , CF34-8C5 , CF34- 8C5A1 , CF34-8C5A2 , CF34-8C5A3 , CF34-8C5B1 , CF34-8E2 , CF34-8E2A1 , CF34- 8E5 , CF34-8E5A1 , CF34-8E5A2 , CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 turbofan engines , with

an operability bleed valve (OBV) part number (PIN) 4121T67P02 , 

### PIN 4121T67P03 , 

### PIN 4121 T67P04 , parts manufacturer approval (PMA) 

### PIN 392155-2, PMA 

### PIN 392155-3 , or PMA 

### PIN 392155-4 , installed. (d) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by three failure events ofring lock fuel fittings on the OBV. Two ofthose events led to an engine fire

. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of OBV ring lock fuel fittings , engine fuel leakage, uncontrolled fire , and damage to the airplane. (e) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (f) Remove OBVs (1) For OBVs with fewer than 6,000 operating hours since new on the effective date ofthis AD , remove the OBV from service before accumulating 12,000 operating hours since new, or within four years after the effective date ofthis AD , whichever

occurs first. (2) For OBVs with 6,000 or more operating hours since new on the effective date ofthis AD , remove the OBV from service before accumulating an additional 6,000 operating hours , or within two years after the effective date ofthis AD , whichever occurs first.

6(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA , may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. (h) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD , contact John Frost, Aerospace Engineer, Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803 ; phone : 781-238-7756 ; fax: 781-238-7199 ; email : john

.frost @ faa

.gov. (2) Refer to GE SB No. CF34-8C-AL S/B 75-0017 , dated September 14 2012 , and SB No. CF34-8E-AL S/B 75-0012 , dated September 14, 2012 , for related information. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric, One Neumann Way, MD Y-75 , Cincinnati , OH ; phone : 513-552-2913 ; email: geae.aoc @ ge.com ; and website: www.GE.com. You may view the referenced service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability ofthis material at the FAA, call781-238-7125.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts , on December 4, 20 12

. •

Robert J

. Ganley, Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

7