[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 6, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46216-46218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21955]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-51; Amendment 39-9361; AD 95-18-14]


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF6 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to General Electric Company (GE) CF6 series turbofan 
engines. This action requires a more detailed fluorescent penetrant 
inspection process for GE CF6 series high pressure compressor rotor 
(HPCR) stage 3-9 spools. This amendment is prompted by an uncontained 
failure of the HPCR stage 3-9 spool attributed to a material defect 
located in the hub to web transition area of the stage 6 disk. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent an uncontained 
HPCR engine failure, which can result in damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Effective September 21, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 21, 1995.

[[Page 46217]]

    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-51, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
General Electric Aircraft Engines, CF6 Distribution Clerk, Room 132, 
111 Merchant Street, Cincinnati, OH 45246. This information may be 
examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Woldan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 
238-7136, fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
has received a report of an uncontained failure of a General Electric 
Company (GE) CF6-50 high pressure compressor rotor (HPCR) stage 3-9 
spool. The failure resulted from a low cycle fatigue crack originating 
from a material defect located in the hub to web transition area of the 
stage 6 disk. The FAA has determined that a more detailed fluorescent 
penetrant inspection process is required for these high pressure 
compressor rotor stage 3-9 spools. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in an uncontained HPCR engine failure, which can result in 
damage to the aircraft.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of GE All 
Operators' Wire, Subject: FPI of Deep Disk Spools, Best Practices, 
dated August 10, 1995, that describes a more detailed fluorescent 
penetrant inspection process for HPCR stage 3-9 spools.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other GE CF6 series engines of the same type 
design, this AD is being issued to prevent an uncontained HPCR engine 
failure, which can result in damage to the aircraft. This AD requires 
that a more detailed fluorescent penetrant inspection of the HPCR stage 
3-9 spool be used whenever fluorescent penetrant inspection of these 
spools is accomplished. The actions are required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the All Operators' Wire described previously.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-ANE-51.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-18-14  General Electric Company: Amendment 39-9361. Docket 95-
ANE-51.

    Applicability: General Electric Company (GE) CF6 series engines. 
These engines are installed on but not limited to Airbus Industries 
A300, A310, and A330 series; Boeing 747 and 767 series; and 
McDonnell Douglas DC10 and MD11 series aircraft.

    Note: This AD applies to each engine identified in the preceding 
applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, 
altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this 
AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so 
that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the 
owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (b) to 
request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no 
action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the 

[[Page 46218]]
unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of 
any modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.

    To prevent an uncontained high pressure compressor rotor (HPCR) 
engine failure, which can result in damage to the aircraft, 
accomplish the following:

    (a) After the effective date of this AD all fluorescent 
penetrant inspections of HPCR stage 3-9 spools must be accomplished 
in accordance with the process described in GE All Operators' Wire, 
Subject: FPI of Deep Disk Spools, Best Practices, dated August 10, 
1995.

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. The 
request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (c) The actions required by this AD shall be accomplished in 
accordance with the following GE All Operators' Wire:


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                   Document                      Pages        Date      
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Subject: FPI of Deep Disk Spools, Best             1-3  Aug. 10, 1995.  
 Practices.                                                             
Total pages: 3.                                                         
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    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from General Electric Aircraft 
Engines, CF6 Distribution Clerk, Room 132, 111 Merchant Street, 
Cincinnati, OH 45246. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on September 21, 1995.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 29, 1995.

Jay J. Pardee,

Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 95-21955 Filed 9-1-95; 3:38 pm]

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