[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16420-16422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9231]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-63]


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International CFM56-5 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to CFM International CFM56-5 series 
turbofan engines. This proposal would require rework of the air turbine 
engine starter. This proposal is prompted by three reports of air 
turbine engine starter failures. The actions specified by the proposed 
AD are intended to prevent an air turbine engine starter failure, which 
could result in damage to the engine electrical harnesses.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 14, 1996.

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-63, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from CFM International, Technical Publications Department, One 
Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone (513)552-2981, fax 
(513)552-2816. This information may be examined at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA.


[[Page 16421]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Ganley, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 
238-7138, fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal 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-63.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-63, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    This proposed airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to CFM 
International (CFMI) CFM56-5 series turbofan engines. The Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) has received three reports of air turbine 
engine starter failures. During high speed clutch engagements, the 
clutch pawls can fail and liberate into several pieces. These liberated 
pieces can then jam in between the driveshaft and the hub gear. This 
jamming can permit the engine to backdrive the starter, resulting in 
failure of the starter. The resulting heat from the failure may cause 
damage to the engine electrical harnesses. The installation of a pawl 
retaining plate on the driveshaft will assure the pawl remains in the 
correct position during high impact re-engagements. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in an air turbine engine starter failure, 
which could result in damage to the engine electrical harnesses.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of CFMI 
CFM56-5 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 80-003, Revision 5, dated October 25, 
1994, that describes procedures for the air turbine engine starter 
rework.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require rework of the air turbine engine starter 
prior to October 31, 1996. This compliance end-date has been determined 
based on shop visit rates. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 190 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 2 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost approximately $2,400 per engine. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $478,800.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
     For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

CFM International: Docket No. 95-ANE-63.

    Applicability: CFM International (CFMI) CFM56-5 series turbofan 
engines, installed with air turbine engine starter, Part Number 301-
781-201-0, installed on but not limited to Airbus A320 series 
aircraft.

    Note: This airworthiness directive (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 
Federal Aviation Administration (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 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 on or before October 31, 1996, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent an air turbine engine starter failure, which could 
result in damage to the engine electrical harnesses, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) For air turbine engine starters, Part Number 301-781-201-0, 
that have not been previously reworked in accordance with any 
revision level of CFMI CFM56-5 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 80-003, 
rework the air turbine engine starter in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of CFMI CFM56-5 SB No. 80-003, Revision 
5, dated October 25, 1994.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

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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) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 29, 1996.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9231 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U