This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

32098 

Vol. 87, No. 103 

Friday, May 27, 2022 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0516; Project 

Identifier AD–2022–00262–E] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; General 

Electric Company Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

General Electric Company (GE) GE90– 

110B1 and GE90–115B model turbofan 

engines and certain GE90–76B, GE90– 

85B, GE90–90B, and GE90–94B model 

turbofan engines. This proposed AD was 

prompted by the detection of meltrelated freckles in the forgings and 

billets, which may reduce the life of 

certain rotating compressor discharge 

pressure (CDP) high-pressure turbine 

(HPT) seals (rotating CDP seals), 

interstage HPT rotor seals, and HPT 

rotor stage 2 disks. This proposed AD 

would require revising the 

airworthiness limitations section (ALS) 

of the applicable GE90–100 Engine 

Manual (EM) and the operator’s existing 

approved maintenance program or 

inspection program, as applicable, to 

incorporate reduced life limits for these 

parts. This proposed AD would also 

require the removal and replacement of 

certain interstage HPT rotor seals, 

identified by serial number (S/N), 

installed on GE90–76B, GE90–85B, 

GE90–90B, and GE90–94B model 

turbofan engines. The FAA is proposing 

this AD to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by July 11, 2022. 

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 

https://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 NPRM, contact General Electric 

Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, 

OH 45215; phone: (513) 552–3272; 

email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com; 

website: https://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 (817) 222– 

5110. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0516; 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 

NPRM, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 

District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 

phone: (781) 238–7178; email: 

Alexei.T.Marqueen@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this proposal. Send 

your comments to an address listed 

under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0516; Project Identifier AD– 

2022–00262–E’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. The most helpful comments 

reference a specific portion of the 

proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this proposal 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this NPRM. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this NPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this NPRM, it is important 

that you clearly designate the submitted 

comments as CBI. Please mark each 

page of your submission containing CBI 

as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such 

marked submissions as confidential 

under the FOIA, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of this 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Alexei Marqueen, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, 

FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 

MA 01803. Any commentary that the 

FAA receives which is not specifically 

designated as CBI will be placed in the 

public docket for this rulemaking. 

Background 

The FAA was notified by the engine 

manufacturer of the detection of meltrelated freckles in the forgings and 

billets, which may reduce the life of 

certain rotating CDP seals, interstage 

HPT rotor seals, and HPT rotor stage 2 

disks on GE90–110B1 and GE90–115B 

model turbofan engines and may reduce 

the life of certain interstage HPT rotor 

seals on GE90–76B, GE90–85B, GE90– 

90B, and GE90–94B model turbofan 

engines. The manufacturer’s 

investigation determined that, as a 

result of such freckles forming in the 

forgings and billets, certain rotating CDP 

seals, interstage HPT rotor seals, and 

HPT rotor stage 2 disks (life-limited 

parts (LLPs)) may have undetected 

subsurface anomalies that developed 

during the manufacturing process, 


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resulting in reduced material properties 

and a lower fatigue life capability. 

Reduced material properties may cause 

premature LLP fracture, which could 

result in uncontained debris release. As 

a result of its investigation, the 

manufacturer determined the need to 

reduce the life limits of certain LLPs. To 

reflect these reduced life limits, the 

manufacturer revised the ALS of the 

affected GE90–100 EMs. Additionally, 

the manufacturer published service 

information that specifies procedures 

for the removal and replacement of 

certain interstage HPT rotor seals 

installed on GE90–76B, GE90–85B, 

GE90–90B, and GE90–94B model 

turbofan engines. This condition, if not 

addressed, could result in uncontained 

debris release, damage to the engine, 

and damage to the airplane. 

FAA’s Determination 

The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 

determining that the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Related Service Information 

The FAA reviewed GE GE90–100 

Service Bulletin (SB) 72–0851 R00, 

dated August 17, 2021. This SB 

provides the reduced life limits for 

certain LLPs. The FAA also reviewed 

GE GE90 SB 72–1211 R00, dated March 

9, 2022. This SB describes procedures 

for removing and replacing certain 

interstage HPT rotor seals. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

revising the ALS of the applicable 

GE90–100 EM and the operator’s 

existing approved maintenance program 

or inspection program, as applicable, to 

incorporate reduced life limits for 

certain LLPs. This proposed AD would 

also require the removal and 

replacement of certain interstage HPT 

rotor seals. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

GE90–100 SB 72–0851 R00, dated 

August 17, 2021, uses the term ‘‘HPT 

rotor interstage seals,’’ while this 

proposed AD uses the term ‘‘interstage 

HPT rotor seals.’’ 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 248 

engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry. The FAA estimates that zero 

engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry would require replacement of 

the interstage HPT rotor seal. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Revise ALS of EM and the operator’s existing 

approved maintenance program or inspection program.

1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ................. $0 $85 $21,080 

Replace interstage HPT rotor seal ................. 1,500 work-hours × $85 per hour = $127,500 286,331 413,831 0 

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 

The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate 

aviation in Alaska, and 

(3) Would 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: 

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2022–0516; Project Identifier AD–2022– 

00262–E. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by July 11, 2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to: 

(1) General Electric Company (GE) GE90– 

110B1 and GE90–115B model turbofan 

engines; and 

(2) GE GE90–76B, GE90–85B, GE90–90B, 

and GE90–94B model turbofan engines with 

an installed interstage high-pressure turbine 

(HPT) rotor seal with part number (P/N) 

2629M47P01 and serial number (S/N) 

NCU5430D. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor 

Section, and JASC Code 7250, Turbine 

Section. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by the detection of 

melt-related freckles in the forgings and 


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billets, which may reduce the life of certain 

rotating compressor discharge pressure (CDP) 

HPT seals (rotating CDP seal), interstage HPT 

rotor seals, and HPT rotor stage 2 disks. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 

the rotating CDP seal, interstage HPT rotor 

seal, and HPT rotor stage 2 disk. The unsafe 

condition, if not addressed, could result in 

uncontained debris release, damage to the 

engine, and damage to the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) For affected GE90–110B1 and GE90– 

115B model turbofan engines, within 90 days 

after the effective date of this AD, revise the 

airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the 

existing GE90–100 Engine Manual (EM) and 

the operator’s existing approved maintenance 

program or inspection program, as 

applicable, by inserting the following 

information: 

(i) For rotating CDP seal P/N 2479M03P01, 

insert the information in Table 1 to paragraph 

(g)(1)(i) of this AD. 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

(ii) For interstage HPT rotor seal P/N 

2505M72P01, insert the information in Table 

2 to paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD. 


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(iii) For HPT rotor stage 2 disk P/N 

2505M73P03, insert the information in Table 

3 to paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this AD. 


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(2) For affected GE90–76B, GE90–85B, 

GE90–90B, and GE90–94B model turbofan 

engines, before the interstage HPT rotor seal, 

P/N 2629M47P01 and S/N NCU5430D, 

accumulates 7,400 cycles since new, remove 

the affected interstage HPT rotor seal from 

service and replace with a part eligible for 

installation. 

(h) Definitions 

For the purpose of this AD, a ‘‘part eligible 

for installation’’ is any interstage HPT rotor 

seal that does not have P/N 2629M47P01 and 

S/N NCU5430D. 

(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 paragraph (j)(1) of this AD and 

email 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 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 

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

238–7178; email: Alexei.T.Marqueen@

faa.gov. 


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(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact General Electric Company, 

1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 

phone: (513) 552–3272; email: 

aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com; website: 

https://www.ge.com. You may view this 

referenced 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 (817) 222–5110. 

Issued on May 5, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–11346 Filed 5–26–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–C 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0545; Airspace 

Docket No. 22–AEA–9] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Proposed Amendment of Class D and 

Class E Airspace; Baltimore, MD 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

amend Class D airspace, Class E Surface 

airspace, and Class E Airspace 

Designated as an Extension to Class D 

airspace at Martin State Airport, 

Baltimore, MD. This action would 

replace the Baltimore Very High 

Frequency Omnidirectional Range 

Collocated Tactical Air Navigation 

(VORTAC) with the term Point of 

Origin. Also, this action would remove 

unnecessary verbiage from the 

descriptor header. In addition, this 

action would also make an editorial 

change replacing the term Airport/ 

Facility Directory with the term Chart 

Supplement in the legal descriptions of 

associated Class D and E airspace and 

make the editorial change replacing the 

term Notice to Airmen with the term 

Notice to Air Missions. Controlled 

airspace is necessary for the safety and 

management of instrument flight rules 

(IFR) operations in the area. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before July 11, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to: The U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001; 

Telephone: (800) 647–5527, or (202) 

366–9826. You must identify the Docket 

No. FAA–2022–0545; Airspace Docket 

No. 22–AEA–9 at the beginning of your 

comments. You may also submit 

comments through the internet at 

https://www.regulations.gov. 

FAA Order JO 7400.11F 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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

Goodson, Operations Support Group, 

Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 

College Park, GA 30337; Telephone 

(404) 305–5966. 

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 would 

amend airspace in Baltimore, MD, to 

support IFR operations in the area. 

Comments Invited 

Interested persons are invited to 

comment on this proposed rulemaking 

by submitting such written data, views, 

or arguments as they may desire. 

Comments that provide the factual basis 

supporting the views and suggestions 

presented are particularly helpful in 

developing reasoned regulatory 

decisions on the proposal. Comments 

are specifically invited on the overall 

regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 

environmental, and energy-related 

aspects of the proposal. 

Communications should identify both 

docket numbers (Docket No. FAA– 

2022–0545 and Airspace Docket No. 22– 

AEA–9) and be submitted in triplicate to 

DOT Docket Operations (see ADDRESSES

section for the address and phone 

number). You may also submit 

comments through the internet at 

https://www.regulations.gov. 

Persons wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

on this action must submit with those 

comments a self-addressed stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to FAA 

Docket No. FAA–2022–0545, Airspace 

Docket No. 22–AEA–9.’’ The postcard 

will be date/time stamped and returned 

to the commenter. 

All communications received before 

the specified closing date for comments 

will be considered before taking action 

on the proposed rule. The proposal 

contained in this document may be 

changed in light of the comments 

received. All comments submitted will 

be available for examination in the 

public docket both before and after the 

comment closing date. A report 

summarizing each substantive public 

contact with FAA personnel concerned 

with this rulemaking will be filed in the 

docket. 

Availability of NPRMs 

An electronic copy of this document 

may be downloaded through the 

internet at https://www.regulations.gov. 

Recently published rulemaking 

documents can also be accessed through 

the FAA’s web page at https://

www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ 

airspace_amendments/. 

You may review the public docket 

containing the proposal, any comments 

received, and any final disposition in 

person in the Dockets Office (see the 

ADDRESSES section for address and 

phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and 

5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except federal holidays. An informal 

docket may also be examined between 

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

through Friday, except on federal 

holidays, at the office of the Eastern 

Service Center, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Room 350, 1701 

Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 

30337. 

Availability and Summary of 

Documents for Incorporation by 

Reference 

This document proposes to amend 

FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, 

dated August 10, 2021, and effective 

September 15, 2021. FAA Order JO 

7400.11F is publicly available as listed 

in the ADDRESSES section of this 

document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists 

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

air traffic service routes, and reporting 

points. 

The Proposal 

The FAA proposes an amendment to 

14 CFR part 71 to amend Class D 


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