Document ID: FAA-2015-0165-0008
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: General Electric Co. Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2016-11-03T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 213 (Thursday, November 3, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76540-76542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26011]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-15-
03, which applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx turbofan 
engine models. AD 2015-15-03 precludes the use of certain full 
authority digital engine control (FADEC) software on GEnx turbofan 
engines. Since we issued AD 2015-15-03, GE implemented final design 
changes that remove the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would 
require removing a specific part and replacing it with a part eligible 
for installation and specifying the FADEC software version for the 
affected GEnx turbofan engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
engine failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 3, 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; 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-2015-
0165; 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0165; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM 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 NPRM.

[[Page 76541]]

Discussion

    On July 13, 2015, we issued AD 2015-15-03, Amendment 39-18212 (80 
FR 42707, July 20, 2015), (``AD 2015-15-03''), for all GE GEnx-1B 
turbofan engines with FADEC software, version B175 or earlier, 
installed, and all GE GEnx-2B turbofan engines with FADEC software, 
version C065 or earlier, installed. AD 2015-15-03 precludes the use of 
FADEC software, version B175 or earlier, in GEnx-1B engines, and the 
use of FADEC software, version C065 or earlier, in GEnx-2B engines. AD 
2015-15-03 resulted from engine power loss due to ice crystal icing 
conditions. We issued AD 2015-15-03 to prevent engine failure, loss of 
thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2015-15-03 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2015-15-03, GE implemented final design changes 
that remove the unsafe condition.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE GEnx-2B Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0241 R00, dated 
March 16, 2016 that describes removal and installation procedures for 
fan hub stator assembly booster outlet guide vane (BOGV); GE GEnx-2B SB 
73-0041 R00, dated July 2, 2015 that describes reprograming procedures 
for electronic engine control (EEC) software version C075; and GE GEnx-
1B SB 73-0044 R00, dated July 1, 2015 that describes reprograming 
procedures for EEC software version B185.

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 NPRM would require removing from service the GEnx-2B fan hub 
stator assembly BOGV, P/N B1316-00720, and replacing with a part 
eligible for installation. This NPRM would also specify the FADEC 
software version for GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 130 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate that it would take about 1 hour 
per engine to comply with the software installation proposed by this 
AD. We also estimate that 32 engines would require hardware 
replacement, which would take about 60 hours per engine. Required parts 
cost about $390,000 per engine. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $12,654,250.

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 have 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 that the 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2015-15-03, Amendment 39-18212 (80 FR 42707, July 20, 2015), and adding 
the following new AD:

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2015-0165; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-NE-02-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January 3, 
2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-15-03, Amendment 39-18212 (80 FR 42707, 
July 20, 2015).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B and 
GEnx-2B turbofan engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by final design changes that remove the 
unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine failure, 
loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not 
operate any GE GEnx-1B engine with electronic engine control (EEC) 
full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software, version B180 
or earlier, installed.
    (2) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not 
operate any GE GEnx-2B engine with EEC FADEC software, version C068 
or earlier, installed.
    (3) At the next shop visit after the effective date of this AD, 
remove from service all GE GEnx-2B67, -2B67B, and -2B67/P fan hub 
stator assembly booster outlet guide vanes, part number B1316-00720, 
and replace with a part eligible for installation.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After removing any software, version B180 or earlier, for the GE 
GEnx-1B engines; or software, version C068 or earlier, for the GE 
GEnx-2B engines, do not operate those engines with any software, 
version earlier than B180 or C068.

(g) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine case flanges, except for 
the following situations which do not constitute an engine shop 
visit:
    (1) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 
transportation without

[[Page 76542]]

subsequent maintenance does not constitute an engine shop visit.
    (2) Separation of engine flanges solely for the purpose of 
replacing the fan or propulsor without subsequent maintenance does 
not constitute an engine shop visit.

(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

    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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 24, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-26011 Filed 11-2-16; 8:45 am]
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