Document ID: FAA-2013-0499-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2013-07-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 143 (Thursday, July 25, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44899-44900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17884]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0499; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-20-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and -115B turbofan 
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple events of a leaking 
variable bypass valve (VBV) actuator fuel supply tube. This proposed AD 
would require replacement of this VBV actuator fuel supply tube with a 
part eligible for installation. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the affected fuel supply tube, fuel leakage, engine fire, 
and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 23, 
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 proposed AD, contact 
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, One 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, 12 New England Executive Park, 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; 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: 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:

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-2013-0499; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-20-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 have received multiple reports of a leaking VBV actuator fuel 
supply tube, part number (P/N) 2165M22P01, installed on GE90-110B1 and 
-115B turbofan engines. One of the leaks led to an under cowl engine 
fire. The vibratory excitation frequency of this VBV actuator fuel 
supply tube mode shape is within the frequency range generated by the 
engine during cruise. Because the tube's end weld is a high stress 
concentration location, the tube can and has cracked in this area and 
eventually failed due to high-cycle fatigue. This proposed AD, 
therefore, requires replacement of the affected VBV

[[Page 44900]]

actuator fuel supply tube with a part eligible for installation.

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 VBV actuator fuel 
supply tube, P/N 2165M22P01, with a part eligible for installation.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 59 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about eight hours per engine to replace the VBV actuator fuel 
supply tube. The cost of this part is about $14,310. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $884,410.

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-2013-0499; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-NE-20-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 23, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and 
-115B turbofan engines with variable bypass valve (VBV) actuator 
fuel supply tube, part number (P/N) 2165M22P01, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple events of a leaking VBV 
actuator fuel supply tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the affected fuel supply tube, fuel leakage, engine fire, and 
damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    (1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (2) At the next shop visit, after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the VBV actuator fuel supply tube, P/N 2165M22P01, with a 
part eligible for installation.

(f) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is the induction of an 
engine into the shop for maintenance or overhaul. The separation of 
engine flanges solely for the purposes of transporting the engine 
without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine 
shop visit.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install a VBV 
actuator fuel supply tube, P/N 2165M22P01, onto any engine.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jason Yang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: jason.yang@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, One Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com.
    (3) 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 July 17, 2013.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Directorate Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17884 Filed 7-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P