[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63008-63009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29947]



[[Page 63008]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFE Company Model CFE738-1-1B Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to adopt a 
new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to CFE Company 
Model CFE738-1-1B turbofan engines. This proposal would require 
replacing the high pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 aft cooling plate and 
HPT stage 2 disk at or before they reach new reduced life cycle limits. 
This proposal is prompted by analysis of the existing life cycle limits 
by the engine manufacturer. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent failure of the HPT stage 1 aft cooling plate 
and HPT stage 2 disk, which could result in an uncontained engine 
failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 18, 2002.

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-04-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Mead, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7744, fax (781) 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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NE-04-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-04-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    CFE Company, the manufacturer of the CFE738-1-1B turbofan engine, 
recently notified the FAA that it has updated its life limits for 
critical rotating parts based on data developed since the original 
certification of the engine. Based on that new data, the manufacture 
has reduced the predicted safe life limit of the HPT stage 1 aft 
cooling plates and the HPT stage 2 disks to below previously published 
values. There have not been any part failures reported, and no parts in 
the field currently exceed the new reduced limits. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in failure of the HPT stage 1 aft cooling 
plate and HPT stage 2 disk due to exceeding the life limit.

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 CFE Company model CFE738-1-1B turbofan 
engines of the same type design, the proposed AD would require 
replacing HPT stage 1 aft cooling plates, part number (P/N) 6083T38P07 
before accumulating 3,500 cycles-since-new (CSN) and HPT stage 2 disks 
P/N's 6083T92P06, 6083T92P07, 6083T92P08, 6083T92P10, and 6083T92P11 
before accumulating 2,700 CSN.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 331 CFE Company model CFE738-1-1B turbofan 
engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 247 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD. The FAA also estimates that it 
would take approximately 450 work hours per engine to accomplish the 
proposed actions (225 work hours to replace the HPT stage 1 aft cooling 
plate and 225 work hours to replace the HPT stage 2 disk), and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $32,170 per engine ($11,775 for the HPT stage 1 aft 
cooling plate and $20,395 for the HPT stage 2 disk). Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $14,614,990.

Regulatory Impact

    This proposed 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 proposed rule.
    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.

[[Page 63009]]

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:

CFE Company: Docket No. 2001-NE-04-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to CFE Company 
model CFE738-1-1B turbofan engines with high pressure turbine (HPT) 
stage 1 aft cooling plates, part number (P/N) 6083T38P07, and HPT 
stage 2 disks, P/N's 6083T92P06, 6083T92P07, 6083T92P08, 6083T92P10, 
and 6083T92P11, installed. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to Dassault-Breguet Falcon 2000 series 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 (e) 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 request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

Compliance

    Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless already 
done.
    To prevent failure of the HPT stage 1 aft cooling plate and HPT 
stage 2 disk due to exceeding the life limit, do the following:
    (a) Replace the HPT stage 1 aft cooling plate at or before the 
cooling plate accumulates 3,500 cycles-since-new (CSN).
    (b) Replace HPT stage 2 disks, P/N's 6083T92P06, 6083T92P07, 
6083T92P08, 6083T92P10, and 6083T92P11; at or before the disk 
accumulates 2,700 CSN.
    (c) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HPT 
stage 1 aft cooling plate, P/N 6038T38P07, that exceeds 3,500 CSN.
    (d) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any HPT 
stage 2 disk, P/N 6083T92P06, 6083T92P07, 6083T92P08, 6083T92P10, or 
6083T92P11, that exceeds 2,700 CSN.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 (ECO). 
Operators must submit their request 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.

    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance 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 November 27, 2001.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29947 Filed 12-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U