Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 12, 2001 / Proposed Rules 31569

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

June 4, 2001.

Francis A. Favara,

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–14672 Filed 6–11–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NE–62–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General

Electric Company GE90 Series

Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) proposes to

supersede an existing airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to certain

General Electric Company (GE) GE90

series turbofan engines. That AD

currently requires inspecting and

purging the P3B and Ps3 lines and

associated fittings and ports of moisture.

This proposal would allow the

installation of improved hardware as

terminating action to requirements of

the AD, and remove the GE90–92B

engine model from the AD applicability.

This proposal is prompted by the recent

FAA approval of redesigned P3B and

Ps3 sense lines, and the removal of the

GE90–92B engine from the applicability.

The actions described in this proposal

are intended to prevent loss of thrust

control due to corruption of the P3B and

Ps3 signals to the FADEC, which if it

occurs in a critical phase of flight, could

result in loss of airplane control.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE–62-

AD, 12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA 01803–5299. Comments

may also be sent via the Internet using

the following address: ‘‘9-aneadcomment@faa.gov’’. Comments sent

via the Internet must contain the docket

number in the subject line. Comments

may be inspected at this location

between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, except Federal

holidays. The service information

referenced in the proposed rule may be

obtained from General Electric

Company via Lockheed Martin

Technology Services, 10525 Chester

Road, Suite C, Cincinnati, OH 45215;

telephone: (513) 672–8400, fax: (513)

672–8422. This information may be

examined at the FAA, New England

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John

E. Golinski, Aerospace Engineer, Engine

Certification Office, FAA, Engine and

Propeller Directorate, 12 New England

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803–

5299; telephone: (781) 238–7135; fax:

(781) 238–7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications

should identify the Rules Docket

number and be submitted to the address

specified above. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments, specified above, will be

considered before we take action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained

in this action may be changed in light

of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule. All comments sent

will be available, both before and after

the closing date for comments, in the

Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report

summarizing each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this

proposal will be filed in the Rules

Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this action

must send a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 99–NE–62–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM’s

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, New England Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 99–NE–62–AD, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299.

Discussion

On December 29, 1999, the FAA

issued AD 99–27–15, Amendment 39–

11496 (65 FR 692, January 6, 2000), to

require visually inspecting P3B and Ps3

sense lines and FADEC P3B and Ps3

sensing ports and fittings, cleaning P3B

and Ps3 fittings and sensing ports,

purging the P3B and Ps3 systems of

moisture, and, if necessary, blending of

high metal, nicks, burrs, or scratches on

P3B and Ps3 fitting threads. That action

was prompted by seven reports of loss

of thrust control due to corruption of the

signals to the FADEC caused by water

freezing in the Ps3 sensing system. That

condition, if not corrected, could result

in loss of thrust control due to

corruption of the P3B and Ps3 signals to

the FADEC, which if it occurs in a

critical phase of flight, could result in

loss of airplane control. Since that AD

was issued, improved hardware has

been introduced as terminating action to

the visual inspections, cleanings,

purging, and blending of metal. Also,

alternative methods of compliance

approved for AD 99–27–15 are

incorporated as conventional methods

of compliance in this proposal. Also, the

GE90–92B engine model has been

removed from the AD applicability. The

FAA recently removed the GE90–92B

engine from the type certificate at the

request of GE.

Service Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

the technical contents of GE Alert

Service Bulletin (ASB) GE90 73–A0060,

Revision 3, dated September 14, 2000,

that describes procedures for:

• Visually inspecting P3B and Ps3

sense lines and FADEC sensing ports

and fittings.

• Cleaning P3B and Ps3 fittings and

sensor ports, purging the P3B and Ps3

systems of moisture.

• Blending of high metal, nicks,

burrs, or scratches on Ps3 and P3B

fitting threads.

The FAA has also reviewed and

approved the technical contents of GE

Service Bulletin (SB) GE90 S/B 75–

0031, Revision 3, dated March 30, 2001,

that describes procedures for replacing

existing P3B and Ps3 lines and related

brackets and clamping with redesigned

hardware.

Differences Between ASB, SB, and

Proposal

This proposal contains provisions for

initial actions and GE ASB GE90 73–

A0060, Revision 3, dated September 14,

2000, assumes that all operators have

completed the initial actions based on

field reports. If, however, operators have

already accomplished the required

initial actions, they need not repeat

those actions, but may proceed directly

to accomplishing the repetitive actions,

31570 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 12, 2001 / Proposed Rules

or P3B and Ps3 line replacement. Also,

GE SB GE90 S/B 75–0031, Revision 3,

dated March 30, 2001, recommends a

hardware installation date of not later

than March 31, 2001, and this proposal

requires hardware installation at the

next shop visit after the effective date of

this AD, or no later than October 31,

2001. The FAA is aware that almost all

affected GE90 engines have been

retrofitted with the new design

hardware and, therefore, has established

this end date of not later than October

31, 2001, to complete the retrofit

program before the colder temperatures

of winter arrive.

Proposed Actions

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other engines of the same

type design, this proposed AD would

supersede AD 99–27–15, to require:

• Visual inspections for high metal,

nicks, burrs, or scratches on P3B and

Ps3 fitting threads, and, if necessary,

blending of these.

• Visual inspections for moisture,

debris, or ice in P3B and Ps3 FADEC

fittings, ports, and open sense lines.

• Cleaning of P3B and Ps3 FADEC

fittings and sensing ports.

• Purging of any moisture from the

P3B and Ps3 sense system.

• Replacement of existing P3B and

Ps3 lines and related brackets and

clamping with redesigned hardware at

the next shop visit after the effective

date of this AD, or no later than October

31, 2001.

• Engine idle leak check run

following the maintenance activity to

confirm there are no P3B or Ps3 sense

system faults present, or a dual signoff

procedure by a 2nd mechanic.

Economic Impact

There are about 208 engines of the

affected design in the worldwide fleet.

The FAA estimates that 28 engines

installed on aircraft of U.S. registry

would be affected by this proposed AD,

that it would take about one work hour

per engine to do the proposed

inspection and purging, and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour.

Based on these figures, the total

proposed AD cost impact on U.S.

operators for one inspection is estimated

to be $1,680. The FAA also estimates

that it would take about four work hours

per engine to do the proposed P3B/Ps3

sense line replacement, and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour.

The manufacturer has stated that it may

provide the redesigned hardware at no

cost to operators. Based on this

information, the total proposed AD cost

impact on U.S. operators for sense line

replacement is estimated to be $6,720.

Regulatory Impact

This proposal does not have

federalism implications, as defined in

Executive Order 13132, because it

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.

Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted

with state authorities before publication

of this proposal.

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that 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); and (3) if

promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this

action is contained in the Rules Docket.

A copy of it may be obtained by

contacting 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 (FAA) proposes to

amend 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

removing Amendment 39–11496 (65 FR

692, January 6, 2000) and by adding a

new airworthiness directive:

General Electric Company: Docket No. 99–

NE–62–AD.

Applicability: General Electric Company

(GE) Models GE90–76B, –77B, –85B, and

–90B turbofan engines. These engines are

installed on, but not limited to Boeing 777

series airplanes.

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

(m) 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: Compliance with the

requirements of this AD is required as

indicated, unless already done.

To prevent loss of thrust control due to

corruption of the P3B and Ps3 signals to the

full authority digital engine control (FADEC),

which if it occurs in a critical phase of flight,

could result in loss of airplane control, do the

following:

Determination of Further Action

(a) If the engine has been configured as

specified in one of the following service

bulletins (SB’s), or has one of the following

serial numbers (SN’s), no further action is

required.

(1) SB GE90 S/B 75–0031, Revision 1,

dated August 29, 2000.

(2) SB GE90 S/B 75–0031, Revision 2,

dated September 14, 2000.

(3) SB GE90 S/B 75–0031, Revision 3,

dated March 30, 2001.

(4) Engine SN is 900–326, 900–328, 900–

332, 900–333, 900–334, or higher.

Initial Inspection, Cleaning, Moisture

Purging, and Blending

(b) For engines that are not configured or

listed by SN as specified in paragraph (a) of

this AD, do the following:

(1) Inspect, clean, moisture purge, and if

necessary, blend any high metal, nicks, or

burrs on fitting threads, on one engine

installed on Boeing 777 series aircraft, within

10 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective

date of this AD in accordance with the

Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3 of

GE Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. GE90

73–A0060, Revision 3, dated September 14,

2000.

(2) Inspect, clean, moisture purge, and if

necessary, blend any high metal, nicks, or

burrs on fitting threads, on the other engine

installed on the Boeing 777 series aircraft,

within 20 CIS after the effective date of this

AD in accordance with the Accomplishment

Instructions, Section 3 of GE ASB No. GE90

73–A0060, Revision 3, dated September 14,

2000.

Credit for Previous Inspections, Cleaning,

and Moisture Purging

(c) For engines that have complied with the

initial and repetitive inspections of AD 99–

27–15, GE ASB No. GE90 73–A0060,

Revision 1, dated March 1, 2000; GE ASB No.

GE90 73–A0060, Revision 2, dated May 12,

2000; GE ASB No. GE90 73–A0060, Revision

3, dated September 14, 2000; or with an FAA

approved alternative method of compliance,

perform repetitive inspections as specified in

paragraph (d) of this AD.

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 12, 2001 / Proposed Rules 31571

Repetitive Inspections

(d) Thereafter, inspect, clean, and moisture

purge, and if necessary, blend any high

metal, nicks, or burrs on fitting threads of

each engine in accordance with the

Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3, of

GE ASB No. GE90 73–A0060, Revision 3,

dated September 14, 2000, within:

(1) 30 CIS since-last-inspection, or,

(2) If applicable, 125 CIS since-lastinspection for one-engine-only per airplane.

Replacement Engines

(e) For replacement engines, perform the

initial inspection, cleaning, and moisture

purging, and if necessary, blend any high

metal, nicks, or burrs on fitting threads as

specified in paragraph (b) of this AD, except

perform initial inspection before

accumulating 30 CIS or 125 CIS, depending

on the existing inspection interval for the

engine that was replaced.

Idle Leak Check or Dual Signoff Procedure

Check

(f) After accomplishing the inspection and

maintenance actions specified in paragraphs

(b) through (e) of this AD, and before entry

into service, do either of the following:

(1) Perform an idle leak check to confirm

no P3B or Ps3 sense system faults in

accordance with Accomplishment

Instructions, Section 3, paragraph (15), of GE

ASB No. GE90 73–A0060, Revision 3, dated

September 14, 2000. or,

(2) Perform a dual signoff procedure check

to confirm there are no loose fittings that

could cause P3B and Ps3 sense system faults,

in accordance with Accomplishment

Instructions, Section 3, paragraph (15), of GE

ASB No. GE90 73–A0060, Revision 3, dated

September 14, 2000. Idle leak checks that

were performed using GE ASB No. GE90 73–

A0060, dated December 23, 1999, and idle

leak checks or dual signoff procedure checks

that were performed using GE ASB No. GE90

73–A0060, Revision 1, dated March 1, 2000,

or GE ASB No. GE90 73–A0060, Revision 2,

dated May 12, 2000, may be considered as

alternative methods of compliance for this

requirement.

Installation of Redesigned Hardware

(g) At the next engine shop visit after the

effective date of this AD, but not later than

October 31, 2001, install the redesigned P3B

and Ps3 tubes, hoses, clamps, and bracket

assembly in accordance with

Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3.A.

through 3.H. of GE ASB No. GE90 S/B 75–

0031, Revision 3, dated March 30, 2001.

Definition

(h) For the purposes of this AD, an engine

shop visit is defined as any time an engine

has maintenance performed that involves

separation of a major flange, such as removal

of the low pressure turbine module, or high

pressure compressor top case half.

Credit for Installation of Redesigned

Hardware

(i) Hardware installation that was

performed using GE ASB No. GE90 S/B 75–

0031, Revision 2, dated September 14, 2000;

or GE ASB No. GE90 S/B 75–0031, Revision

1, dated August 29, 2000, may be considered

as alternative methods of compliance for this

requirement.

No Simultaneous Actions

(j) Do not perform the actions required by

this AD concurrently on both engines

installed on Boeing 777 series aircraft.

Old Configuration Hardware

(k) After the effective date of this AD, do

not install any of the old configuration

hardware listed in the following table.

OLD CONFIGURATION HARDWARE NOT

TO BE INSTALLED

Part Part No.

Ps3 Tube .......................... 350–151–505–0

350–184–806–0

350–114–005–0

Ps3 Hose .......................... 649–794–573–0

P3B Tube .......................... 350–151–604–0

350–184–904–0

350–114–105–0

P3B Hose ......................... 649–794–572–0

Single Tube Clamp ........... 2151M51P107

Double Tube Clamp ......... 2151M52P102

Bracket Assembly ............. 350–178–309–0

350–178–311–0

Terminating Action

(l) Installation of redesigned hardware as

specified in paragraph (g) of this AD

constitutes terminating action for

requirements of paragraph (d) and paragraph

(e) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(m) 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 (ECO). Operators shall

submit their requests through an appropriate

FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who

may add comments and then send it to the

Manager, ECO.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this airworthiness directive,

if any, may be obtained from the ECO.

Special Flight Permits

(n) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199

of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

June 4, 2001.

Francis A. Favara,

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–14671 Filed 6–11–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation

and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 920

[MD–050–FOR]

Maryland Regulatory Program

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining

Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM),

Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; public comment

period and opportunity for public

hearing.

SUMMARY: OSM is announcing receipt of

a proposed amendment to the Maryland

regulatory program (Maryland program)

under the Surface Mining Control and

Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). The

proposed amendment consists of a

revision to the Maryland statutes

pertaining to the use of financial

disclosure forms by the Land

Reclamation Committee to satisfy a

required program amendment at 30 CFR

920.16(l). The amendment is intended

to revise the Maryland program to be no

less effective than the corresponding

Federal regulations.

DATES: If you submit written comments,

they must be received by 4 p.m., E.D.T.,

July 12, 2001. If requested, a public

hearing on the proposed amendment

will be held on July 9, 2001. Requests

to speak at the hearing must be received

by 4:00 p.m., E.D.T., on June 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand-deliver your

written comments and requests to speak

at the hearing to Mr. George Rieger,

Manager, Oversight and Inspection

Office, at the address listed below. You

may review copies of the Maryland

program, the proposed amendment, a

listing of any scheduled public hearings,

and all written comments received in

response to this document at the

addresses listed below during normal

business hours, Monday through Friday,

excluding holidays. You may receive

one free copy of the proposed

amendment by contacting OSM’s

Appalachian Regional Coordinating

Center.

George Rieger, Manager, Oversight and

Inspection Office

Appalachian Regional Coordinating

Center

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation

and Enforcement 3 Parkway Center,

Pittsburgh PA 15220

Telephone: (412) 937–2153

E-mail: grieger@osmre.gov

Maryland Bureau of Mines

160 South Water Street

Frostburg, Maryland 21532