Document ID: FAA-2021-1061-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2021-12-14T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 14, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70969-70972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27045]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1061; Project Identifier AD-2021-01192-E; 
Amendment 39-21853; AD 2021-23-51]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C and CF34-8E model 
turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown of an 
engine and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that revealed a 
broken variable geometry (VG) actuator rod end caused by corrosion and 
seizure of the rod end bearing. This AD requires performing an 
inspection of the master compressor VG actuator and slave compressor VG 
actuator and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement 
of the part with a part eligible for installation. This AD also 
requires reporting the results of the inspection to GE. The FAA 
previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators 
of these GE CF34-8C and CF34-8E model turbofan engines and is now 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 29, 2021. Emergency AD 2021-23-51, 
issued on November 4, 2021, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment, was effective with actual notice.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications identified in this AD as of December 
29, 2021.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by January 28, 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 final rule, contact 
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 
(513) 552-3272; email: [email protected]; 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. It is 
also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1061.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1061; 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 final rule, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott M. Stevenson, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On November 4, 2021, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2021-23-51 (the 
emergency AD), which requires performing an inspection of the master 
compressor VG actuator and slave compressor VG actuator and, depending 
on the results of the inspection, replacement of the part with a part 
eligible for installation. The emergency AD also requires reporting the 
results of the inspection to GE. The FAA sent the emergency AD to all 
known U.S. owners and operators of these engines. This action was 
prompted by an event on August 11, 2021, in which a Bombardier CRJ1000 
airplane, powered by GE CF34-8C5 model engines, experienced an in-
flight engine shutdown that resulted in a diversion. The manufacturer's 
investigation found that these engines were parked outdoors for 
extended lengths of time within 10 miles (16 km) from a saltwater 
coastline. These conditions caused corrosion to develop on the 
compressor VG actuator rod end bearing, which restricted the motion in 
the bearing leading to an elevated stress in the rod end. Subsequently, 
the higher stress cracked the rod end which eventually fractured. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more 
engines, loss of engine thrust control, and reduced control of the 
airplane.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE CF34-8C Service Bulletin (SB) 75-0028 R00 and 
GE CF34-8E SB 75-0023 R00, both dated November 2, 2021. These SBs 
specify procedures for performing a one-time inspection of the master 
compressor VG actuator and slave compressor VG actuator, differentiated 
by engine model, to identify possible rod end corrosion or seizure. 
These SBs also instruct operators to report the inspection results to 
GE. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires performing an inspection of the master compressor 
VG actuator and slave compressor VG actuator and, depending on the 
results of the inspection, replacement of the part with a part eligible 
for installation. This AD also requires reporting the results of the 
inspection to GE.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. The FAA 
anticipates that further AD action will follow.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable,

[[Page 70970]]

unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' Under this section, 
an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without 
providing notice and seeking comment prior to issuance. Further, 
section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules effective 
in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2021-23-51, issued on November 4, 2021, to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these engines. The FAA found that the risk to 
the flying public justified waiving notice and comment prior to 
adoption of this rule. On August 11, 2021, a Bombardier CRJ1000 
airplane, powered by GE CF34-8C5 model engines experienced an in-flight 
engine shutdown caused by compressor VG actuator rod end failure due to 
corrosion and seizure. This unsafe condition, caused by corrosion and 
seizure of the compressor VG actuator rod end bearing, may result in 
failure of one or more engines, loss of engine thrust control, and 
reduced control of the airplane.
    The FAA considers inspection of the compressor VG actuator rod end 
bearings to be an urgent safety issue. Inspection of the compressor VG 
actuator rod end bearings must be accomplished before accumulating 30 
flight hours or within 5 calendar days on one engine installed on an 
airplane. The other engine on the same airplane that has already had an 
engine inspected must be inspected before accumulating 350 FHs or 
within 60 calendar days. These conditions still exist, therefore, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and 
comment.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-1061; Project Identifier AD-
2021-01192-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 final rule 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 final rule.

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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Scott 
M. Stevenson, 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.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect master compressor VG actuator   2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170            $340
 and slave compressor VG actuator.       hour = $170.
Report results of inspection..........  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85             170
                                         hour = $85.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacement that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace master compressor VG actuator and       2 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $18,890         $19,060
 slave compressor VG actuator.                   $170.
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Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid

[[Page 70971]]

OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information 
collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, 
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this 
collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this 
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:

2021-23-51 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21853; Docket No. 
FAA-2021-1061; Project Identifier AD-2021-01192-E.

(a) Effective Date

    The FAA issued emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2021-23-
51, on November 4, 2021 directly to affected owners and operators. 
As a result of such actual notice, that AD was effective for those 
owners and operators on the date it was provided. This AD contains 
the same requirements as that emergency AD and, for those who did 
not receive actual notice, is effective on December 29, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C1, CF34-
8C5, CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, CF34-8C5B1, CF34-8E2, CF34-
8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 
model turbofan engines installed on an airplane that has accumulated 
more than 250 parked days outdoors in the last 24 months within 10 
miles (16 km) from a saltwater coastline.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c): A ``parked day'' is 24 consecutive 
hours with no engine operation.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compression Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown of an engine and 
subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that revealed a broken 
variable geometry (VG) actuator rod end caused by corrosion and 
seizure of the rod end bearing. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 
corrosion and seizure of the rod end bearing. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more engines, 
loss of engine thrust control, and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) On one engine installed on an airplane, before accumulating 
30 flight hours (FHs) or within 5 calendar days, whichever occurs 
first after the effective date of this AD, perform an inspection of 
the master compressor VG actuator, significant item number (SIN) 
30401, and slave compressor VG actuator, SIN 30402, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(1) and (2), of 
GE CF34-8C Service Bulletin (SB) 75-0028 R00 (GE CF34-8C SB 75-0028) 
or GE CF34-8E SB 75-0023 R00 (GE CF34-8E SB 75-0023), both dated 
November 2, 2021, as applicable to the engine model.
    (2) On the other engine installed on the airplane, not inspected 
as required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before accumulating 350 
FHs or within 60 calendar days, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD, perform an inspection of the master 
compressor VG actuator, SIN 30401, and slave compressor VG actuator, 
SIN 30402, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3.A.(1) and (2), of GE CF34-8C SB 75-0028 or GE CF34-8E 
SB 75-0023, as applicable to the engine model.
    (3) For engines not in service, before further flight, perform 
an inspection of the master compressor VG actuator, SIN 30401, and 
slave compressor VG actuator, SIN 30402, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(1) and (2), of GE CF34-
8C SB 75-0028 or GE CF34-8E SB 75-0023, as applicable to the engine 
model.
    (4) If the master compressor VG actuator, SIN 30401, or the 
slave compressor VG actuator, SIN 30402, does not pass any 
inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD, 
before further flight, remove the part and replace with a part 
eligible for installation.

(h) Reporting Requirements

    Within 10 days after performing the inspections required by 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD, in accordance with 
paragraphs 3.A.(1) and (2), of GE CF34-8C SB 75-0028 or GE CF34-8E 
SB 75-0023, send your inspection report form, pictures, or report 
findings to GE at [email protected].

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(j) 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,

[[Page 70972]]

send it to the attention of the person identified paragraph (k) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Scott M. Stevenson, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199; 
email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) GE CF34-8C Service Bulletin (SB) 75-0028 R00, dated November 
2, 2021.
    (ii) GE CF34-8E SB 75-0023 R00, dated November 2, 2021.
    (3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://www.ge.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on December 1, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27045 Filed 12-9-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P