[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 12, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18540-18542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8712]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-37; Amendment 39-9192; AD 95-08-03]


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF6 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45/-50 series turbofan 
engines, that requires reduction of the low cycle fatigue (LCF) 
retirement lives for certain high pressure turbine rotor (HPTR) stage 2 
disks, and would provide a drawdown schedule for those affected parts 
with reduced LCF retirement lives. This amendment is prompted by the 
results of a refined life analysis performed by the manufacturer which 
revealed minimum calculated LCF lives significantly lower than 
published LCF retirement lives. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent a LCF failure of the HPTR stage 2 disk, which could 
result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Effective June 12, 1995.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 12, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from General Electric Aircraft Engines, CF6 Distribution 
Clerk, Room 132, 111 Merchant Street, Cincinnati, OH 45246. This 
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Ganley, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA [[Page 18541]] 01803-5299; 
telephone (617) 238-7138; fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-
45/-50 series turbofan engines was published in the Federal Register on 
December 20, 1994 (59 FR 65513). That action proposed to require a 
reduction of the published low cycle fatigue (LCF) retirement lives for 
certain high pressure turbine rotor stage 2 disks, and would provide a 
drawdown schedule for those affected disks with reduced LCF retirement 
lives. If the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved rework is 
accomplished, the LCF retirement life may be increased to 8,750 or 
9,700 cycles, depending on the cycles since new of the disk when the 
rework is performed. The actions would be performed in accordance with 
GE CF6-50 Service Bulletin No. 72-1069, dated September 12, 1994.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Two commenters support the rule as proposed.
    Since publication of the NPRM, the FAA has increased its estimate 
of the average labor cost to $60 per work hour, and has revised the 
economic analysis of this final rule accordingly.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed with the changes 
described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will 
not increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 280 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 
194 work hours per engine to accomplish the required actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $16,383 per engine. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,846,440.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air Transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-08-03   General Electric Company: Amendment 39-9192. Docket 94-
ANE-37.

    Applicability: General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45/50 series 
turbofan engines installed on but not limited to Airbus A300 series, 
Boeing 747 series, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 series aircraft.

    Note: This 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (e) to 
request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no 
action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a low cycle fatigue (LCF) failure of the high 
pressure turbine rotor (HPTR) stage 2 disk, which could result in an 
uncontained engine failure and damage to the aircraft, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Remove from service HPTR stage 2 disks Part Numbers (P/N) 
1474M49P04, 1474M49P05, 1474M49P06, 9045M35P15, 9045M35P17, and 
9045M35P18, in accordance with the following:
    (1) For disks that have accumulated less than 3,500 cycles since 
new (CSN) on the effective date of this airworthiness directive 
(AD), remove disk from service prior to accumulating 7,080 CSN.
    (2) For disks that have accumulated 3,500 CSN or more, but less 
than 7,080 CSN on the effective date of this AD, remove disk from 
service prior to accumulating 7,080 CSN, or prior to accumulating 
3,100 cycles in service (CIS) after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, but not to exceed 9,700 CSN.
    (3) For disks which have accumulated 7,080 CSN or more on the 
effective date of this AD, remove disk from service at the next 
piece-part exposure, but not to exceed 9,700 CSN.
    (b) Remove from service HPTR stage 2 disks P/N 9264M58P01, 
9264M58P02, and 9264M58P03 prior to accumulating 7,080 CSN.
    (c) This AD establishes the following new LCF retirement lives 
which will be published in Chapter 5 of the CF6-50 Engine Task 
Numbered Shop Manual, GEK 50481: 7,080 cycles for HPTR stage 2 disk 
P/N 1474M49P04, 1474M49P05, 1474M49P06, 9045M35P15, 9045M35P17, 
9045M35P18, 9264M58P01, 9264M58P02, and 9264M58P03.
    (d) GE CF6-50 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 72-1069, dated September 
12, 1994, describes an FAA-approved rework procedure for the 
affected disks. Accomplishment of this rework increases the FAA-
approved LCF retirement life to 8,750 or 9,700 cycles, depending on 
the CSN of the disk when the rework is performed.
    (e) 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. The 
request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (f) 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.
    (g) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following service bulletin:

[[Page 18542]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Document No.                 Pages            Date        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GE CF6-50 SB No. 72-1069................     1-18  Sept. 12, 1994.      
  Total Pages: 18                                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Copies may be obtained from General Electric Aircraft Engines, CF6 
Distribution Clerk, Room 132, 111 Merchant Street, Cincinnati, OH 
45246. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office 
of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 12, 1995.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 31, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-8712 Filed 4-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U