Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 150 / Monday, August 9, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 43409 

Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–5786; 

email david.wilson@faa.gov. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

Transport Canada Emergency AD CF–2021– 

23, dated July 5, 2021. 

Issued on July 30, 2021. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–17024 Filed 8–5–21; 4:15 pm] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0347; Project 

Identifier AD–2020–01610–E; Amendment 

39–21652; AD 2021–15–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; General 

Electric Company Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

General Electric Company (GE) GE90– 

110B1 and GE90–115B model turbofan 

engines. This AD was prompted by an 

in-service occurrence of loss of engine 

thrust control resulting in 

uncommanded high thrust. This AD 

requires initial and repetitive 

replacement of the full authority digital 

engine control (FADEC) integrated 

circuit (MN4) microprocessor. The FAA 

is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective September 

13, 2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of September 13, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

General Electric Company, 1 Neumann 

Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 

(513) 552–3272; email: 

aviation.fleetsupport@ae.ge.com; 

website: www.ge.com. You may view 

this service information at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (781) 238– 

7759. It is also available at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0347. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0347; or in person at Docket 

Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains this 

final rule, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for 

Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Stephen Elwin, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 

District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 

phone: (781) 238–7236; fax: (781) 238– 

7199; email: Stephen.L.Elwin@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to all GE GE90–110B1 and GE90– 

115B model turbofan engines. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on May 7, 2021 (86 FR 24554). 

The NPRM was prompted by an inservice occurrence of loss of engine 

thrust control resulting in 

uncommanded high thrust. The FAA 

received a report from the manufacturer 

of an in-service loss of engine thrust 

control that occurred on October 27, 

2019, resulting in uncommanded high 

thrust. Analysis by the manufacturer 

found accumulated thermal cycles of 

the MN4 integrated circuit in the 

FADEC, through normal operation, 

causes the solder ball joints to wear out 

and eventually fail over time. The FAA 

published AD 2020–20–17 (85 FR 

63443, dated October 8, 2020) to 

prohibit dispatch of an airplane if 

certain status messages are displayed on 

the engine indicating and crew alerting 

system and if certain conditions are 

present per the manufacturer’s service 

information. As a terminating action, 

AD 2020–20–17 also requires revision of 

the existing FAA-approved minimum 

equipment list (MEL) by incorporating 

into the MEL the dispatch restrictions 

listed in AD 2020–20–17. Since the 

effective date of AD 2020–20–17, the 

manufacturer published GE GE90–100 

Service Bulletin (SB) 73–0118 R00, 

dated November 6, 2020, and Revision 

01, dated April 27, 2021, to replace the 

FADEC MN4 microprocessor and solder. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require initial and repetitive 

replacement of the FADEC MN4 

microprocessor using an approved 

overhaul procedure. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received comments from 

five commenters. Commenters included 

Air Line Pilots Association, 

International (ALPA), Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes (Boeing), Cathay 

Pacific Airways Limited (Cathay), FedEx 

Express (FedEx), and United Airlines, 

Inc. The following presents the 

comments received on the NPRM and 

the FAA’s response to each comment. 

Request To Revise Installation 

Prohibition 

Cathay requested the FAA revise 

paragraph (h), Installation Prohibition, 

of the NPRM that specifies no more than 

three replacements of the FADEC MN4 

microprocessor may be performed on 

the same main channel board. Cathay 

suggested that the FAA revise proposed 

paragraph (h) to prohibit installation 

onto any engine of any FADEC that is 

not compliant with GE GE90–100 SB 

73–0118. Cathay stated that the MN4 

processor replacements are managed by 

the original equipment manufacturer’s 

(OEM) internal maintenance procedures 

and operators do not have visibility into 

the number of replacements that have 

been performed. 

The FAA partially agrees. As stated by 

Cathay, the MN4 processor 

replacements are managed by the OEM’s 

internal maintenance procedures and, 

therefore, are not necessary in this AD. 

The FAA has removed paragraph (h), 

Installation Prohibition, from this AD. 

The subsequent paragraphs of this AD 

have been redesignated accordingly. 

Request To Add Terminating Action 

FedEx requested the upcoming 

FADEC software revision (A085) be 

included in this AD as a terminating 

action. FedEx commented that this AD 

may no longer be necessary due to the 

development and pending release of 

GE’s new and improved FADEC 

software upgrade (A085). 

The FAA disagrees. The new FADEC 

software revision (A085) has not been 

approved by the FAA. Therefore, this 

software is not eligible for installation 

and cannot be referenced in this AD. 

The FAA considers this AD to be an 

interim action. If terminating action is 

identified later, the FAA might consider 

additional rulemaking. The FAA did not 

change this AD. 


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43410 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 150 / Monday, August 9, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

Support for the AD 

ALPA and Boeing expressed support 

for the NPRM as written. United 

Airlines, Inc. stated they had no 

objections to the NPRM as proposed. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered any comments received, and 

determined that air safety requires 

adopting this AD as proposed. 

Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. Except for minor editorial 

changes, and any other changes 

described previously, this AD is 

adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 

None of the changes will increase the 

economic burden on any operator. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed General Electric 

GE90–100 Service Bulletin (SB) 73– 

0118, Revision 01, dated April 27, 2021. 

This SB specifies procedures for 

replacing the FADEC MN4 

microprocessor. This service 

information is reasonably available 

because the interested parties have 

access to it through their normal course 

of business or by the means identified 

in ADDRESSES. 

Interim Action 

The FAA considers this AD to be an 

interim action. If final action is later 

identified, the FAA may consider 

additional rulemaking. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 311 engines installed on 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Remove and replace FADEC ......................... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ................. $25,200 $25,285 $7,863,635 

The FAA has included all known 

costs in its cost estimate. According to 

the manufacturer, however, some of the 

costs of this AD may be covered under 

warranty, thereby reducing the cost 

impact on affected individuals. 

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. 

The FAA is 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 

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: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

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: 

2021–15–05 General Electric Company: 

Amendment 39–21652; Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0347; Project Identifier AD– 

2020–01610–E. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective September 13, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to General Electric 

Company (GE) GE90–110B1 and GE90–115B 

model turbofan engines. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 7600, Engine Controls. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by an in-service 

occurrence of loss of engine thrust control 

resulting in uncommanded high thrust. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 

the full authority digital engine control 

(FADEC) integrated circuit (MN4) 

microprocessor solder ball. The unsafe 

condition, if not addressed, could result in 

loss of engine thrust control and reduced 

control of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Within the following compliance times 

after the effective date of this AD, replace the 

FADEC MN4 microprocessor using an 

approved overhaul procedure: 

(i) For a FADEC MN4 microprocessor with 

10,500 or more cycles since new (CSN), 

replace the FADEC MN4 microprocessor 

before accumulating 500 additional cycles on 

the FADEC MN4 microprocessor. 

(ii) For a FADEC MN4 microprocessor with 

5,000 CSN or more, but fewer than 10,500 

CSN, replace the FADEC MN4 

microprocessor at the next FADEC 

component shop visit or before accumulating 

11,000 CSN on the FADEC MN4 

microprocessor, whichever occurs first. 

(2) Thereafter, repeat the replacement of 

the FADEC MN4 microprocessor at the first 

FADEC component shop visit after 

accumulating 5,000 CSN since the last 

replacement but before accumulating 11,000 

CSN since the last replacement. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 150 / Monday, August 9, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 43411 

(h) Definition 

(1) For the purpose of this AD, an 

‘‘approved overhaul procedure’’ is one of the 

following: 

(i) Replacement of the FADEC MN4 

microprocessor using FADEC Internationalapproved maintenance procedures; or 

(ii) Replacement of the FADEC MN4 

microprocessor using the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 3.A., of GE GE90–100 

Service Bulletin 73–0118, Revision 01, dated 

April 27, 2021. 

(2) For the purpose of this AD, a ‘‘FADEC 

component shop visit’’ is the induction of the 

FADEC into a repair facility to perform 

internal maintenance on the FADEC. 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has 

the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, 

if requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 

send your request to your principal inspector 

or local Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the certification office, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in Related Information. You may 

email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@

faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Stephen Elwin, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 

238–7236; fax: (781) 238–7199; email: 

Stephen.L.Elwin@faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) General Electric Company (GE) GE90– 

100 Service Bulletin 73–0118, Revision 01, 

dated April 27, 2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For GE service information identified in 

this AD, contact General Electric Company, 

1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 

phone: (513) 552–3272; email: 

aviation.fleetsupport@ae.ge.com; website: 

www.ge.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (781) 238–7759. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: 

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on July 9, 2021. 

Gaetano A. Sciortino, 

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–16766 Filed 8–6–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0418; Airspace 

Docket No. 21–ACE–12] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Amendment of Class E Airspace; New 

Madrid, MO 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This action amends Class E 

airspace extending upward from 700 

feet above the surface at County 

Memorial Airport, New Madrid, MO. 

The FAA is taking this action as a result 

of an airspace review caused by the 

decommissioning of the Malden Very 

High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 

(VOR) collocated with Tactical Air 

Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid 

as part of the VOR Minimum 

Operational Network (MON) Program. 

Controlled airspace is necessary for the 

safety and management of instrument 

flight rules (IFR) in the area. 

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, October 7, 

2021. The Director of the Federal 

Register approves this incorporation by 

reference action under 1 CFR part 51, 

subject to the annual revision of FAA 

Order 7400.11 and publication of 

conforming amendments. 

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11E, 

Airspace Designations and Reporting 

Points, and subsequent amendments can 

be viewed online at https://

www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. 

For further information, you can contact 

the Airspace Policy Group, Federal 

Aviation Administration, 800 

Independence Avenue SW, Washington, 

DC 20591; Telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

The Order is also available for 

inspection at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of FAA 

Order 7400.11E at NARA, email 

fr.inspection@nara.gov or go to https:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locations.html. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

Fornito, Operations Support Group, 

Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 

College Park, GA 30337; Telephone 

(404) 305–6364. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

The FAA’s authority to issue rules 

regarding aviation safety is found in 

Title 49 of the United States Code. 

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. This rulemaking is 

promulgated under the authority 

described in Subtitle VII, Part A, 

Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that 

section, the FAA is charged with 

prescribing regulations to assign the use 

of airspace necessary to ensure the 

safety of aircraft and the efficient use of 

airspace. This regulation is within the 

scope of that authority as it amends the 

Class E airspace extending upward from 

700 feet above the surface in New 

Madrid, MO, to support IFR operations 

in the area. 

History 

The FAA published a notice of 

proposed rulemaking in the Federal 

Register (86 FR 30399, June 8, 2021) for 

Docket No. FAA–2021–0418 to amend 

Class E airspace extending upward from 

700 feet above the surface at County 

Memorial Airport, New Madrid, MO, 

due to the decommissioning of the 

Malden VORTAC. 

Interested parties were invited to 

participate in this rulemaking effort by 

submitting written comments on the 

proposal to the FAA. No comments 

were received. 

Class E airspace designations are 

published in Paragraph 6005, of FAA 

Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, 

and effective September 15, 2020, which 

is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 

71.1. The Class E airspace designations 

listed in this document will be 

published subsequently in the Order. 

Availability and Summary of 

Documents for Incorporation by 

Reference 

This document amends FAA Order 

7400.11E, Airspace Designations and 

Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, 

and effective September 15, 2020. FAA 

Order 7400.11E is publicly available as 

listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 

document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists 

Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 

air traffic routes, and reporting points. 


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