Document ID: FAA-2015-4344-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2015-12-07T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 234 (Monday, December 7, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75952-75953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30716]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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. 80, No. 234 / Monday, December 7, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 75952]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4344; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-32-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 all 
General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2 and CF6-80E1 turbofan engines. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a burn-through of the 
accessory heat shield during an accessory compartment fire leading to 
an engine fire. This proposed AD would require replacing the accessory 
heat shield assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent high-
temperature gas ingestion into the accessory compartment, engine fire, 
and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 5, 
2016.

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, 1 Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: 
aviation.fleetsupport@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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4344; 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: Herman Mak, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7147; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: herman.mak@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-4344; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-32-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.

Discussion

    We received reports of a burn-through of the accessory heat shield 
during an engine fire leading to an accessory compartment fire. A fire 
burns through the accessory heat shield and ignites the integrated 
drive generator (IDG), which supports further combustion. The existing 
accessory heat shield assembly leaves a large area above the sensitive 
accessories, such as the IDG and the main fuel pump, without adequate 
protection. A total of five events have occurred. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in high-temperature gas ingestion into the 
accessory compartment, which could lead to engine fire and damage to 
the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. CF6-80C2 S/B 72-1520, 
dated September 22, 2015 and GE SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 72-0525, dated 
September 22, 2015. These SBs describe the procedures for removing and 
replacing the accessory heat shield assembly. This service information 
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to 
it through their normal course of business or see ADDRESSES for other 
ways to access this service information.

Other Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 72-1523, dated September 22, 
2015. The SB describes procedures for removing and replacing the 
accessory heat shield assembly.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this NPRM 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 replacing the accessory heat shield 
assembly.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 935 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 5 
hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Parts would cost about $1,832 per engine. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this

[[Page 75953]]

proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $2,110,295.

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-2015-4344; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-NE-32-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 5, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2 
and CF6-80E1 turbofan engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of a burn-through of the 
accessory heat shield during an accessory compartment fire leading 
to an engine fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent high-
temperature gas ingestion into the accessory compartment, engine 
fire, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For CF6-80C2 engines, at the next engine shop visit after 
the effective date of this AD, remove from service the accessory 
heat shield assembly. Use Table 1 of GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
CF6-80C2 S/B 72-1520, dated September 22, 2015 to identify the part 
numbers (P/Ns) that require removal from service. Install an 
accessory heat shield assembly eligible for installation.
    (2) For CF6-80E1 engines, at the next engine shop visit after 
the effective date of this AD, remove from service the accessory 
heat shield assembly. Use Table 1 of GE SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 72-0525, 
dated September 22, 2015 to identify the P/Ns that require removal 
from service. Install an accessory heat shield assembly eligible for 
installation.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
accessory heat shield assembly with a P/N listed in Table 1 of GE SB 
No. CF6-80C2 S/B 72-1520, dated September 22, 2015 or Table 1 of GE 
SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 72-0525, dated September 22, 2015, into any 
engine.

(g) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an engine shop visit is defined as 
the induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving 
the separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that 
the separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 
transportation without subsequent engine maintenance does not 
constitute an engine shop visit.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
to 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 Herman Mak, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
herman.mak@faa.gov.
    (2) GE SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 72-1520, dated September 22, 2015; GE 
SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 72-1523, dated September 22, 2015; and GE SB No. 
CF6-80E1 S/B 72-0525, dated September 22, 2015 can be obtained from 
GE using the contact information in paragraph (i)(3) of this 
proposed AD.
    (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; email: 
aviation.fleetsupport@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 November 25, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-30716 Filed 12-4-15; 8:45 am]
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