[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48789-48791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23323]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-21-AD; Amendment 39-12441; AD 2001-19-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company (GE) CF34-3A1, 
-3B, and -3B1 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 GE CF34-3A1, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines with 
scavenge screens part numbers (P/N's) 4047T95P01 and 5054T86G02 
installed in the B-sump oil scavenge system. This action requires 
initial and repetitive visual inspections and cleaning of the B-sump 
scavenge screens. This amendment is prompted by five reports of B-sump 
oil scavenge system failure causing engine in-flight shutdowns. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent B-sump scavenge 
screen blockage due to coking, which could result in ignition of B-sump 
oil in the secondary air system, fan drive shaft separation, and 
uncontained engine failure.

DATES: Effective October 9, 2001. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of October 9, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-21-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain the 
docket number in the subject line. The service information referenced 
in this AD may be obtained from GE Aircraft Engines, 1,000 Western 
Avenue, Lynn, MA 01910; Attention: CF34 Product Support Engineering, 
Mail Zone: 34017; telephone (781) 594-6323; fax (781) 594-0600. This 
information may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of 
the Regional 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: Barbara Caulfield, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7146; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA recently received reports of five 
in-flight shutdowns of CF34-3A1, -3B, and -3B1 engines, due to 
inadequate B-sump oil scavenging and subsequent oil release from the B-
sump into the secondary air system. Four of these engines experienced 
internal fire due to oil ignition in the secondary air system; two of 
these engines experienced fan drive shaft separation due to heat 
distress; and one engine experienced an uncontained engine failure. The 
manufacturer has determined that the cause of inadequate B-sump oil 
scavenging in B-sump scavenge screen blockage due to deposits of coke. 
The manufacturers believes that the coke build up on the screens is the 
result of hot soak-back temperatures in the B-sump after each engine 
shutdown. Coke build up is causing scavenge screen blockage which can 
prevent the lube and scavenge oil pump fro effectively scavenging the 
oil from the B-sump during engine operation. Unscavanged oil 
accumulates in the B-sump, escapes across the carbon seal, and ignites 
in the secondary air system. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in ignition of B-sump oil in the secondary air system, fan drive 
shaft separation, and uncontained engine failure.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of GE 
Aircraft Engines (GEAE) Alert Service Bulletins (ASB's) CF34-AL, 79-
A0014, Revision 1, dated August 23, 2001, and ASB CF34-BJ 79-A0015, 
Revision 1, dated August 23, 2001, that describe procedures for initial 
and repetitive visual inspections and cleaning of the B-sump scavenge 
screens.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Proposed Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other GE CF34-3A1, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines 
of the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent B-sump 
scavenge screen blockage due to coking, which could result in ignition 
of B-sump oil in the secondary air system, fan drive shaft separation, 
and uncontained engine failure. This AD requires initial and repetitive 
visual inspections and cleaning of scavenge screens P/N's 4047T95P01 
and 5054T86G02, installed in the B-sump oil scavenge system.

Immediate Adoption of This AD

    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped

[[Page 48790]]

postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket 
Number 2001-NE-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned 
to the commenter.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this final rule.
    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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2001-19-02-AD  General Electric Company: Amendment 39-12441. Docket 
2001-NE-21-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to General 
Electric Company (GE) CF34-3A1, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines with 
scavenge screens part numbers (P/N's) 4047T95P01 and 5054T86G02 
installed in the B-sump oil scavenge system. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Bombardier Inc. (Canadair) Model 
CL-600-2A12, CL-600-2B16, and CL-600-2B19 airplanes.

    Note 1: 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph(d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the requests should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

Compliance

    Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless already 
done.
    To prevent B-sump scavenge screen blockage due to coking, which 
could result in ignition of B-sump oil in the secondary air system, 
fan drive shaft separation, and uncontained engine failure, do the 
following:

Initial Inspection and Cleaning of B-Sump Screens

    (a) Perform an initial visual inspection and cleaning of 
scavenge screens, P/N's 4047T95P01 and 5054T86G02, installed in the 
B-sump oil scavenge system, in accordance with Accomplishment 
Instructions Paragraphs 3A through 3B of GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) 
Alert Service Bulletins (ASB's) CF34-AL 79-A0014, Revision 1, dated 
August 23, 2001, and ASB CF34-BJ 79-A0015, Revision 1, dated August 
23, 2001 and the following table:

                Initial Inspection and Cleaning Schedule
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     Engine hours time-since-new (TSN)            Inspect and clean
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(1) Fewer than 4,000 hours time-since-new   Before 4,000 hours TSN or
 (TSN) or time-since-last-shop-visit         TSLSV.
 (TSLSV).
(2) 4,000 to 8,000 hours TSN or TSLSV.....  Within 500 hours time-in-
                                             service (TIS) after the
                                             effective date of this AD.
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(3) 8,000 hours or greater TSN or TSLSV...  Within 100 hours TIS after
                                             the effective date of this
                                             AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Definition

    (b) For the purposes of this Ad, a shop visit is defined as a 
shop visit during which the B-sump scavenge screens were cleaned, 
and the B-sump was removed from the engine and cleaned.

Repetitive Inspections and Cleaning

    (c) Perform repetitive visual inspections and cleaning for 
scavenge screens, P/N's 4047T95P01 and 5054T86G02, installed in the 
B-sump oil scavenge system, in accordance with Accomplishment 
Instructions Paragraph 3A through 3B of GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) 
Alert Service Bulletins (ASB's) CF34-AL 79-A0014, Revision 1, dated 
August 23, 2001, and ASB CF34-BJ 79-A0015, Revision 1, dated August 
23, 2001, and the following:
    (1) At intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS if no coke is found 
in screens during initial or repetitive inspections, and
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS if coke is found in 
screens during initial or repetitive inspections.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 Manger, Engine Certification Office (ECO). 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the ECO.

    (e) 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.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference

    (f) The inspections must be done in accordance with the 
following GE Aircraft Engines Alert Service Bulletins (ASB's):

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             Document No.                        Pages             Revision                  Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASB CF34-AL S/B 79-A0014.............  All.....................            1  August 23, 2001.
Total pages: 9

[[Page 48791]]

 
ASB CF34-BJ S/B 79-A0015.............  All.....................            1  August 23, 2001.
Total pages: 9
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This incorporation by reference were 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 GE Aircraft Engines 1000 Western 
Avenue, Lynn, MA 01910; Attention: CF34 Product Support Engineering, 
Mail Zone: 34017; telephone (781) 594-6323; fax (781) 594-0600. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of 
the Regional 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.

Effective Date of This AD

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 9, 2001.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 10, 2001.
Donald E. Plouffe,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-23323 Filed 9-21-01; 8:45 am]
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