19628 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 63 / Tuesday, April 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

The estimated national average operating 

hours presented in Table VI.2 shall be used 

to calculate FER. 

TABLE VI.2—ESTIMATED NATIONAL AVERAGE OPERATING HOUR VALUES FOR CALCULATING FER 

Operating mode Variable Single-stage 

(hours) 

Multi-stage 

or 

modulating 

(hours) 

Heating ................................................................................................................................................. HH 830 830/HCR 

Cooling .................................................................................................................................................. CH 640 640 

Constant Circulation ............................................................................................................................. CCH 400 400 

Where: 

[FR Doc. 2013–07327 Filed 4–1–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0186; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–NE–11–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; General 

Electric Company Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

General Electric Company (GE) GE90– 

76B, –85B, –90B, –94B, –110B1, and 

–115B turbofan engines. This proposed 

AD was prompted by multiple reports of 

failure of certain stage 1 high-pressure 

turbine (HPT) stator shrouds due to 

accelerated corrosion and oxidation. 

This proposed AD would require initial 

and repetitive on-wing borescope 

inspections (BSIs) for corrosion and 

oxidation, of the affected stage 1 HPT 

stator shrouds, and removal from 

service before further flight, if the parts 

fail the inspection. We are proposing 

this AD to prevent failure of the stage 

1 HPT stator shrouds, resulting in inflight shutdown of one or more engines, 

loss of thrust control, and damage to the 

airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by June 3, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, 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 Company, One Neumann Way, 

MD Y–75, Cincinnati, OH; phone: 513– 

552–2913; email: geae.aoc@ge.com; and 

Web site: 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 of this material at the FAA, 

call 781–238–7125. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; 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: 

Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 

Certification Office, FAA, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 

01803; phone: 781–238–7747; fax: 781– 

238–7199; email: jason.yang@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– 

2013–0186; Directorate Identifier 2013– 

NE–11–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments 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:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALSEP02AP13.027</GPH> EP02AP13.028</GPH> 
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 63 / Tuesday, April 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules 19629 

Discussion 

We received one report of an aborted 

takeoff, and multiple reports of stage 1 

HPT stator shroud distress resulting in 

engine removals on airplanes with GE90 

turbofan engines. Investigation revealed 

that the stage 1 HPT stator shrouds 

failed due to accelerated corrosion and 

oxidation. GE is still investigating the 

cause of the accelerated corrosion and 

oxidation. This condition, if not 

corrected, could result in failure of the 

stage 1 HPT stator shrouds, resulting in 

in-flight shutdown of one or more 

engines, loss of thrust control, and 

damage to the airplane. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) 

No. GE90 S/B 72–1076, dated November 

19, 2012, and SB No. GE90–100 S/B 72– 

0528, dated November 15, 2012. The 

SBs describe procedures for performing 

BSIs of the stage 1 HPT stator shrouds 

for accelerated corrosion and oxidation. 

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 of the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of 

stage 1 HPT stator shrouds, part number 

(P/N) 1847M52P14, and P/N 

1847M52P16, for corrosion and 

oxidation, and removal from service 

before further flight if the parts fail the 

inspection. 

Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

The SBs require completing and 

sending to GE the Inspection Findings 

Report Form after each inspection. This 

proposed AD does not. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect about 100 GE90 engines 

installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about four hours per engine to perform 

one inspection. The average labor rate is 

$85 per hour. Based on these figures, we 

estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 

U.S. operators for one inspection to be 

$34,000. 

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 of that 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 

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 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 to the extent that it justifies 

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. 

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– 

2013–0186; Directorate Identifier 2013– 

NE–11–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by June 3, 

2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to General Electric 

Company (GE): 

(1) GE90–76B, –85B, –90B, and –94B 

turbofan engines with stage 1 high-pressure 

turbine (HPT) stator shrouds, part number (P/ 

N) 1847M52P14, installed. 

(2) GE90–110B1 and –115B turbofan 

engines with stage 1 HPT stator shrouds, P/ 

N 1847M52P16, installed. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by multiple reports 

of failure of certain stage 1 HPT stator 

shrouds due to accelerated corrosion and 

oxidation. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

failure of the stage 1 HPT stator shrouds, 

resulting in in-flight shutdown of one or 

more engines, loss of thrust control, and 

damage to the airplane. 

(e) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(f) Borescope Inspections of the Stage 1 HPT 

Stator Shrouds 

(1) Perform an initial on-wing borescope 

inspection (BSI) of the stage 1 HPT stator 

shrouds for corrosion and oxidation before 

accumulating 2,100 cycles since new (CSN), 

or within 100 cycles in service (CIS) after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

later. 

(2) Thereafter, repeat the BSI of the stage 

1 HPT stator shrouds every 250 cycles since 

last inspection (CSLI) or fewer, depending on 

the results of the inspection. 

(3) For engines listed in paragraph (c)(1) of 

this AD: 

(i) Perform the inspections using Section 

3.A of the Accomplishment Instructions of 

GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. GE90 S/B 72– 

1076, dated November 19, 2012; and 

(ii) Use Section 3.B of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of SB No. GE90 S/B 72–1076, 

dated November 19, 2012, to determine the 

next inspection interval. 

(4) For engines listed in paragraph (c)(2) of 

this AD: 

(i) Perform the inspections using Section 

3.A of the Accomplishment Instructions of 

GE SB No. GE90–100 S/B 72–0528, dated 

November 15, 2012; and 

(ii) Use Section 3.B of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of SB No. GE90–100 S/B 72– 

0528, dated November 15, 2012, to determine 

the next inspection interval. 

(5) Remove from service before further 

flight, any stage 1 HPT stator shrouds found 

with any hole further than 0.35-inch from the 

shroud leading edge and hole size more than 

0.25-inch diameter, or more than 0.049 

square inch area. 

(6) The inspection findings reporting 

specified in Section 3.A of the 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
19630 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 63 / Tuesday, April 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

Accomplishment Instructions of GE SB No. 

GE90 S/B 72–1076, dated November 19, 

2012, and in Section 3.A of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of GE SB No. 

GE90–100 S/B 72–0528, dated November 15, 

2012, are not required by this AD. 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, 

FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use 

the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 

request. 

(h) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, 

Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 

01803; phone: 781–238–7747; fax: 781–238– 

7199; email: jason.yang@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact General Electric Company, 

One Neumann Way, MD Y–75, Cincinnati, 

OH; phone: 513–552–2913; email: 

geae.aoc@ge.com; and Web site: 

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 of this 

material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on 

March 26, 2013. 

Thomas A. Boudreau, 

Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–07546 Filed 4–1–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 121 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1239] 

Interpretation of the Rest 

Requirements of Nonstop International 

Supplemental Operations 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of Draft Interpretation. 

SUMMARY: This action provides 

interested persons with the opportunity 

to comment on the FAA’s draft 

interpretation regarding nonstop 

international supplemental operations 

scheduled for longer than 12 hours. 

Additionally, this draft interpretation 

discusses the appropriate international 

flight time limitations that would apply 

to the operation. As discussed in the 

draft interpretation, the FAA finds that 

the operation of such flights would be 

precluded under the flight time 

limitations of the ‘‘U.S. mainland rules’’ 

found in the supplemental flight and 

duty rules. However, the operation 

could be conducted under the 

‘‘international rules’’ provisions of our 

regulations. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before May 2, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 

identified by docket number FAA– 

2012–1239 using any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov and follow 

the online instructions for sending your 

comments electronically. 

• Mail: Send Comments to Docket 

Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of 

Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., West Building Ground 

Floor, Room W12–140, West Building 

Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001. 

• Hand Delivery: Take comments to 

Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of 

the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Dean E. Griffith, Attorney, International 

Law, Legislation and Regulations 

Division, Office of Chief Counsel, 

Federal Aviation Administration, 800 

Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 

267–3073; email: dean.griffith@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites interested persons to 

submit written comments, data, or 

views concerning this interpretation. 

The most helpful comments reference a 

specific portion of the draft 

interpretation, explain the reason for 

any recommended change, and include 

supporting data. To ensure the docket 

does not contain duplicate comments, 

please send only one copy of written 

comments, or if you are filing comments 

electronically, please submit your 

comments only one time. 

The FAA will file in the docket all 

comments received, as well as a report 

summarizing each substantive public 

contact with FAA personnel concerning 

this proposal. Before acting on this 

proposal, the FAA will consider all 

comments received on or before the 

closing date for comments and any latefiled comments if it is possible to do so 

without incurring expense or delay. 

Availability of This Draft Interpretation 

You can get an electronic copy using 

the Internet by— 

(1) Searching the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal (http:// 

www.regulations.gov); 

(2) Visiting the FAA’s Regulations and 

Policies Web page at http:// 

www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/; or 

(3) Accessing the Government 

Printing Office’s Web page at http:// 

www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. 

You can also get a copy by sending a 

request to the Federal Aviation 

Administration, Office of Rulemaking, 

ARM–1, 800 Independence Avenue 

SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by 

calling (202) 267–9680. Make sure to 

identify the docket number or notice 

number of this proposal. 

Background 

The FAA publishes draft legal 

interpretations when the matter in 

question is likely to be highly 

controversial or the likely answer has 

the potential to significantly and 

adversely affect long-standing practices 

that regulated parties have been engaged 

in, reasonably believing that these 

practices were consistent with FAA 

regulations. The intent is not to seek 

input on whether the FAA is correct— 

the FAA has the responsibility for 

interpreting its regulations. Rather, the 

reason for publishing the draft 

interpretation for comment is to see 

whether there may be unintended 

consequences for regulated parties that 

merit a further examination of how the 

agency’s regulatory provisions should 

be applied in conjunction with agency 

policy and guidance material. 

We are issuing this draft 

interpretation because it has come to 

our attention that supplemental air 

carriers might be misinterpreting and 

misapplying the regulations governing 

flight time limitations for supplemental 

operations to operate international flight 

segments longer than 12 hours by 

reading § 121.509 of title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations in isolation, 

without also complying with 

§ 121.503(a) or, in the alternative, 

without adequate sleeping facilities for 

the flight crew as required under 

§ 121.523(b). As discussed below, such 

a reading fails to consider the full 

meaning of the FAA’s regulations. 

Discussion of the Proposal 

I. Introduction 

The purpose of this notice of draft 

interpretation is to address whether a 

supplemental air carrier may conduct an 

international nonstop flight scheduled 

for more than 12 hours without crew 

rest facilities on board the aircraft. The 

answer is ‘‘no.’’ 

For purposes of this interpretation we 

will use the hypothetical example of a 

supplemental air carrier that has 

scheduled four pilots to conduct a nonVerDate Mar<15>2010 18:56 Apr 01, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\02APP1.SGM 02APP1

tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS