Document ID: FAA-2017-0016-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2017-02-28T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12070-12071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03740]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 12070]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0016; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-31-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) GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -
1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/P1, -1B70/P2, -1B70/75/P1, -
1B70/75/P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76A/P2 
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a fracture of the 
fuel manifold which led to an in-flight shutdown of the engine. This 
proposed AD would require replacement of the outer left side signal 
fuel manifold with a part eligible for installation. We are proposing 
this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 14, 2017.

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 NPRM, contact General 
Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 
45215, phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0016; 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: Christopher McGuire, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; email: chris.mcguire@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-2017-0016; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-31-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.

Discussion

    We received a report of an in-flight shutdown of an engine that 
resulted from the fracture of the fuel manifold. Investigation 
determined that the cause of the fracture was a defective weld joining 
the fuel line to the manifold. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in fracture of the fuel manifold, engine fire, and damage to the 
airplane.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0051 R00, dated 
November 4, 2016; GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0052 R00, dated October 28, 2016; 
and GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016. These SBs 
describe, respectively, procedures for the inspection, repair, and 
replacement of the outer left side signal fuel manifold, part number 
2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813.

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 replacement of the outer left side 
signal fuel manifold with a part eligible for installation.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016, requires 
replacement of the affected fuel manifold within 60 days after the 
issuance of the SB. This proposed AD, based on our risk assessment of 
the potential for additional fractures of the fuel manifold, proposes 
that this replacement be done within 12 months.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 109 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 12071]]

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of fuel manifold........  2 work-hours x $85 per          $16,000          $16,170       $1,762,530
                                       hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2017-0016; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-NE-31-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 14, 2017.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -1B67, -
1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/75/P1, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70/P1, -1B70/
P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76A/P2 
engines with outer left side signal fuel manifold, part number (P/N) 
2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813, installed.

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7313, Fuel Injector 
Nozzle.

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by fracture of the fuel manifold which led 
to an in-flight shutdown of the engine. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent fracture of the fuel manifold, engine fire, and damage to 
the airplane.

 (f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Inspect the outer left side signal fuel manifold, P/N 
2403M46G01 and CAGE code 05813, to determine if the part has 
additional marking ``XB,'' ``INS,'' or ``KB'' adjacent to part 
number. If the part is marked with ``XB,'' ``INS,'' or ``KB,'' then 
no further action is required.
    (2) For parts without additional marking ``XB,'' ``INS,'' or 
``KB'' adjacent to the part number, within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the outer left side signal fuel 
manifold with a part eligible for installation.

 (g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install an outer 
left side signal fuel manifold, P/N 2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813, 
onto an engine, unless additional marking ``XB,'' ``INS,'' or ``KB'' 
is adjacent to the part number.

 (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

 (i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Christopher 
McGuire, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
chris.mcguire@faa.gov.
    (2) GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0051 R00, dated November 
4, 2016; GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0052 R00, dated October 28, 2016; and GE 
GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016, can be obtained 
from GE using the contact information in paragraph (i)(3) of this 
AD. These SBs, respectively, describe procedures for inspection, 
repair, and replacement of the outer left side signal fuel manifold.
    (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact General Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann 
Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; 
email: geae.aoc@ge.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 14, 2017.
Carlos A. Pestana,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03740 Filed 2-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P