Document ID: FAA-2013-0447-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2013-06-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38195-38197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15001]

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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 123 / Wednesday, June 26, 2013 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 38195]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0447; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-17-AD; 
Amendment 39-17488; AD 2013-10-52]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B turbofan 
engines. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners 
and operators of these engines. This AD prohibits operation of an 
airplane with affected transfer gearbox assemblies (TGBs) installed on 
both engines five days after the effective date of this AD. This AD was 
prompted by reports of two failures of TGBs which resulted in in-flight 
shutdowns (IFSDs). We are issuing this AD to prevent additional IFSDs 
of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective June 26, 2013 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2013-
10-52, issued on May 16, 2013, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 12, 2013.

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 AD, contact General 
Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, 
Ohio 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations 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: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: jason.yang@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On May 16, 2013, we issued Emergency AD 2013-10-52, which prohibits 
operation of an airplane with affected TGBs installed on both engines 
five days after receipt of the emergency AD. The emergency AD was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these GE90-110B1 
and GE90-115B turbofan engines. This action was prompted by reports of 
two failures of TGBs which resulted in IFSDs. Investigation has 
revealed that the failures were caused by TGB radial gear cracking and 
separation. Further inspections found two additional radial gears with 
cracks. This condition, if not corrected, could result in additional 
IFSDs of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed GE GE90-100 Series Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
GE90-100 S/B 72-A0558, Revision 1, dated May 14, 2013, and GE90-100 
Series ASB No. GE90-100 S/B 72-A0559, dated May 14, 2013. The ASBs 
provide additional information regarding the affected TGBs.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD prohibits operation of an airplane with affected TGBs 
installed on both engines five days after the effective date of this 
AD.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. We anticipate that 
further AD action will follow.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of 
the five-day compliance time. Therefore, we find that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2013-0447 and 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-17-AD at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments

[[Page 38196]]

received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 20 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry, and because the compliance is only an airplane 
operation prohibition, the cost of compliance on U.S. operators is $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.
    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

    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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of 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 (AD):

2013-10-52 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-17488; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0447; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-17-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 26, 2013 to 
all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by Emergency AD 2013-10-52, issued on May 16, 2013, which 
contained the requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B turbofan 
engines with a transfer gearbox assembly (TGB), part number 
2115M33G07 or 2115M33G08, serial number (S/N) listed in Figure 1 to 
paragraph (c) of this AD, installed.

                            Figure 1 to Paragraph (c)--Transfer Gearbox Assembly S/Ns
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIA0HYRT                       FIA0JGE8                       FIA0J3YC                       FIA0JRTW
FIA0HV16                       FIA0JEH2                       FIA0JEH3                       FIA0K4M6
FIA0J31V                       FIA0JGE7                       FIA0JAVL                       FIA0JN33
FIA0H0R1                       FIA0JLAV                       FIA0J70G                       FIA0K7TV
FIA0J3YE                       FIA0JLAY                       FIA0HV18                       FIA0K56H
FIA0J1L0                       FIA0JGFC                       FIA0J70E                       FIA0K7TY
FIA0J3YF                       FIA0JN31                       FIA0JGE9                       FIA0K7TW
FIA0J7FF                       FIA0JN3Y                       FIA0JLAW                       FIA0K4M5
FIA0J5LR                       FIA0JGFF                       FIA0H0R3                       FIA0K56G
FIA0J7FH                       FIA0JN30                       FIA0JGE6                       FIA0JN32
FIA0J7FC                       FIA0J7Y9                       FIA0JT56                       FIAAV6M1
FIA0J70A                       FIA0JAVM                       FIA0JT57                       FIA0K7T1
FIA0J7Y8                       FIA0JGFA                       FIA0J7FE                       FIAAP6C4
FIA0J7Y7                       FIA0JLAT                       FIA0JT6K                       FIA0K7T0
FIA0J31W                       FIA0JT58                       FIA0JT6L                       FIAATMYA
FIA0J70C                       FIA0K2H1                       FIA0JLAR                       FIA0K56K
FIA0JAVH                       FIA0HP4Y                       FIA0JRT5                       FIAATH0T
FIA0J7FG                       FIA0HV17                       FIA0JRT4                       FIA0K56J
FIA0J70F                       FIA0HV19                       FIA0JT6J                       FIAAPA8T
FIA0JAVK                       FIA0HWG3                       FIA0K2H4                       FIAAVTMA
FIA0JEH4                       FIA0J3YG                       FIA0JRTV                       FIA0JRTY
FIA0J5LY                       FIA0H0R0                       FIA0K2H2                       FIAAR7C0
FIA0J5LT                       FIA0HYRV                       FIA0K2H3                       FIAARW1V
FIA0J5LW                       FIA0H0R2                       FIA0K4M2                       FIA07PAN
FIA0JEH5                       FIA0J1LY                       FIA0K4M4                       FIA06VPP
FIA0JAVJ                       FIA0J31T                       FIA0JT59                       F1A03RR4
FIA0JGE5                       FIA0J1LW                       FIA0K2H5                       FIA0JGFE
FIA0JEH6                       FIA0J5LV                       FIA0K4M1                       FIA02N6R
FIA0JGEH                       FIA0HYRR                       FIA0K56L                       ...................
FIA0J1LV                       FIA0J31R                       FIA0K4M3                       ...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 38197]]

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of two failures of TGBs which 
resulted in in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). We are issuing this AD to 
prevent additional IFSDs of one or more engines, loss of thrust 
control, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    (1) Comply with this AD within the compliance time specified, 
unless already done.
    (2) Before further flight, do not operate the airplane if more 
than one installed engine has a TGB S/N listed in Figure 1 to 
paragraph (c) of this AD.

(f) 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.

(g) Related Information

    (1) For further information about this AD, contact: Jason Yang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
jason.yang@faa.gov.
    (2) GE GE90-100 Series Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. GE90-100 
S/B 72-A0558, Revision 1, dated May 14, 2013, and GE90-100 Series 
ASB No. GE90-100 S/B 72-A0559, dated May 14, 2013, pertain to the 
subject of this AD.
    (3) For the service information referenced in this AD, contact: 
General Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 13, 2013.
Frank P. Paskiewicz,
Acting Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15001 Filed 6-25-13; 8:45 am]
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