[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40626-40627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14856]



[[Page 40626]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-49-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International CFM56-5, -5A, and -5B 
Series 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 CFM 
International CFM56-5, -5A, and -5B series turbofan engines. This 
proposal would require establishment of an exhaust gas temperature 
(EGT) baseline and trend monitoring using the System for Analysis of 
Gas Turbine Engines (SAGE), or equivalent, as an option to EGT harness 
replacement, and if necessary, replacement of certain serial numbers 
(SN's) of EGT harnesses and EGT couplings as soon as a slow and 
continuous EGT drift downward is noticed after the effective date of 
this proposed AD. This proposal is prompted by reports of erroneous EGT 
readings. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent unexpected deterioration of critical rotating engine parts due 
to higher than desired engine operating EGT's.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 12, 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-49-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. The service information referenced in the proposed rule 
may be obtained from CFM International, Technical Publications 
Department, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone (513) 552-
2800; fax (513) 552-2816. This information may be examined, by 
appointment, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7152, 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-49-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-49-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The FAA has received several reports of erroneous EGT readings on 
CFM International CFM56-5, -5A, and -5B series turbofan engines. The 
manufacturer has determined that the problem is being caused by defects 
in the EGT harness manufacturing process. EGT harnesses manufactured 
between September 1998 and July 2000 are suspect for a noncontrolled 
contamination element, which affected the harness production on a 
random basis. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
unexpected deterioration of critical rotating engine parts due to 
higher than desired engine operating EGT's.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of CFM 
International service bulletins CFM56-5 S/B 77-0020, dated March 4, 
2002, and CFM56-5B S/B 77-0008, dated March 4, 2002, that list affected 
EGT harnesses and EGT couplings by serial number (SN), and specify 
applicable engine manual sections for referencing replacement 
procedures. The actions would be required to be done in accordance with 
the SB's described previously.

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 CFM International CFM56-5, -5A, and -5B 
series turbofan engines of the same type design, the proposed AD would 
require:
     Establishment of an EGT baseline and SAGE trend 
monitoring, or equivalent, as an option to EGT harness replacement of 
affected EGT harnesses and EGT couplings, with continuation of parts 
in-service that repeatedly pass the trend monitoring, or
     Replacement of affected EGT harnesses and EGT couplings 
not being trend monitored, within 250 hours of operation after the 
effective date of this AD. This limit is based on manufacturer's 
analysis.
     Replacement of affected EGT harnesses and EGT couplings as 
soon as slow and continuous temperature drift downward (i.e. cooler 
indication) of 10 deg.C or more from baseline is observed, without a 
corresponding change in other associated engine parameters such as N1 
(LPT rotor speed), N2 (HPT rotor speed), and fuel flow.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 886 CFM International CFM56-5, -5A, and -5B 
series turbofan engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. 
The FAA estimates that 193 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The FAA also estimates 
that it would take approximately one work hour per engine to do the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $15,645 per engine. Based on 
these figures, the total cost of

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the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,031,065. CFMI 
has indicated that this figure may be reduced depending upon warranty 
agreements.

Regulatory Analysis

    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.

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. 2001-NE-49-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to CFM 
International CFM56-5, -5A, and -5B series turbofan engines. These 
engines are installed on, but not limited to Airbus Industrie A318, 
A319, A320 and A321 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 (b) 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 unexpected deterioration of critical rotating engine 
parts due to higher than desired engine operating exhaust gas 
temperatures (EGT's), do the following:
    (a) For affected EGT harnesses and EGT couplings, listed by 
serial number (SN) in Tables 1, 2, and 3 of CFM International 
service bulletin (SB) CFM56-5 S/B 77-0020, dated March 4, 2002, for 
CFM56-5 and -5A series engines, and SB CFM56-5B S/B 77-0008, dated 
March 4, 2002, for CFM56-5B series engines, do the following:
    (1) Replace EGT harnesses and EGT couplings not being trend 
monitored, with serviceable parts, within 250 hours of operation 
after the effective date of this AD, or,
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, establish an EGT 
baseline from the installation of the EGT harnesses and coupling, 
and perform trend monitoring using the System for Analysis of Gas 
Turbine Engines (SAGE), or equivalent. Replace EGT harnesses and EGT 
couplings as soon as slow and continuous temperature drift downward 
(i.e. cooler indication) of 10 deg.C or more from baseline is 
observed, without a corresponding change in other associated engine 
parameters such as N1 (LPT rotor speed), N2 (HPT rotor speed), and 
fuel flow.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 (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.

Special Flight Permits

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

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 5, 2002.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-14856 Filed 6-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P