[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34852-34854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9446]


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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 and -5B 
Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for CFM International CFM56-5 and -5B series turbofan 
engines. That AD currently requires exhaust gas temperature (EGT) 
harness replacement or the establishment of an EGT baseline and trend 
monitoring. That AD also requires replacement, if necessary, of certain 
EGT harnesses and EGT couplings as soon as a slow and continuous EGT 
drift downward is noticed after the effective date of that AD. This 
proposed AD would require the same actions but for an increased 
population of affected EGT harnesses. This proposed AD results from CFM 
International adding subsequently certified engine models to the list 
of engines that could have affected harnesses installed. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent unexpected deterioration of critical 
rotating engine parts due to higher than desired engine operating EGTs.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by August 15, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     By mail: 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.
     By fax: (781) 238-7055.
     By e-mail: [email protected].
    Contact CFM International, Technical Publications Department, 1 
Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone (513) 552-2800; fax (513) 
552-2816 for the service information identified in this proposed AD.
    You may examine the AD docket 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; telephone (781) 238-7152; 
fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2001-NE-49-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a 
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and 
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received 
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those 
comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    On January 13, 2003, we issued AD 2003-02-04, Amendment 39-13020 
(68 FR 3171, January 23, 2003). That AD requires the establishment of 
an EGT baseline and trend monitoring using the System for Analysis of 
Gas Turbine Engines (SAGE), or equivalent. The baseline and trend 
monitoring is used as an option to EGT harness replacement. That AD 
also requires replacement, if necessary, of certain EGT harnesses and 
EGT couplings as soon as a slow and continuous EGT drift downward is 
noticed after the effective date of that AD. That condition, if not 
corrected, could result in unexpected deterioration of critical 
rotating engine parts due to higher than desired engine operating EGTs.

[[Page 34853]]

Actions Since AD 2003-02-04 Was Issued

    Since AD 2003-02-04 was issued, CFM International added 
subsequently certified engine models, CFM56-5B3/P1, CFM56-5B3/2P1, 
CFM56-5B4/P1, and CFM56-5B4/2P1, to the list of engines that could have 
affected harnesses installed, and increased the population of affected 
EGT harnesses.

Special Flight Permits Paragraph Removed

    Paragraph (e) of the current AD, AD 2003-02-04, contains a 
paragraph pertaining to special flight permits. Even though this 
proposed rule does not contain a similar paragraph, we have made no 
changes with regard to the use of special flight permits to operate the 
airplane to a repair facility to do the work required by this AD. In 
July 2002, we published a new Part 39 that contains a general authority 
regarding special flight permits and airworthiness directives. See 
Docket No. FAA-2004-8460, Amendment 39-9474 (69 FR 47998, July 22, 
2002). Thus, when we now supersede ADs we will not include a specific 
paragraph on special flight permits unless we want to limit the use of 
that general authority granted in section 39.23.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed and approved the technical contents of CFM 
International Service Bulletin (SB) No. CFM56-5B S/B 77-0008, Revision 
3, dated April 4, 2005, and SB No. CFM56-5 S/B 77-0020, Revision 3, 
dated April 4, 2005. Those SBs list affected EGT harnesses and EGT 
couplings by serial number (SN). The lists cover an expanded population 
from the lists in the original SBs. Those SBs also specify applicable 
engine manual sections for referencing replacement procedures.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other CFM International CFM56-5 and -5B series 
turbofan engines of the same type design, this proposed AD would 
require:
     EGT harness replacement or the establishment of an EGT 
baseline and trend monitoring.
     Replacement if necessary, of certain EGT harnesses and EGT 
couplings as soon as a slow and continuous EGT drift downward is 
noticed after the effective date of the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    About 730 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. We estimate it would take about one 
workhour per engine to perform the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $80 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $15,958 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total 
cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $11,707,740. CFM 
International has indicated that this figure might be reduced depending 
upon warranty agreements.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2001-NE-49-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-13020 (68 FR 
3171, January 23, 2003), and by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

CFM International: Docket No. 2001-NE-49-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive comments 
on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by August 15, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2003-02-04, Amendment 39-13020.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to CFM International CFM56-5 and -5B series 
turbofan engines:
    (1) With an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) upper harness part number 
(P/N) CA170-00, with a serial number (SN):
    (i) Listed in Table 1, Table 4, or Table 5 of CFM56 Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. CFM56-5B S/B 77-0008, Revision 3, dated April 4, 
2005, or
    (ii) Listed in Table 1 or Table 4 of CFM56 SB No. CFM56-5 S/B 77-
0020, Revision 3, dated April 4, 2005.
    (2) With an EGT lower harness P/N CA171-00, with a SN:
    (i) Listed in Table 2, Table 4, or Table 5 of CFM56 SB No. CFM56-5B 
S/B 77-0008, Revision 3, dated April 4, 2005; or
    (ii) Listed in Table 2 or Table 4 of CFM56 SB No. CFM56-5 S/B 77-
0020, Revision 3, dated April 4, 2005.
    (3) With an EGT coupling P/N CA172-02 with a SN:
    (i) Listed in Table 3, Table 4, or Table 5 of CFM56 Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. CFM56-5B S/B 77-0008, Revision 3, dated April 4, 
2005, or
    (ii) Listed in Table 3 or Table 4 of CFM56 SB No. CFM56-5 S/B 77-
0020, Revision 3, dated April 4, 2005.

[[Page 34854]]

    (4) These engines are installed on, but not limited to Airbus 
Industrie A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from CFM International adding subsequently 
certified engine models, CFM56-5B3/P1, CFM56-5B3/2P1, CFM56-5B4/P1, and 
CFM56-5B4/2P1, to the list of engines that could have affected 
harnesses installed, and increasing the population of affected EGT 
harnesses. We are issuing this AD to prevent unexpected deterioration 
of critical rotating engine parts due to higher than desired engine 
operating EGTs.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have 
already been done.
    (f) If an EGT harness or EGT coupling has a serial number that is 
followed by the letter ``W'', no further action is required for that 
part.
    (g) For affected EGT harnesses and EGT couplings identified using 
paragraph (c) of this AD, with fewer than 3,000 engine flight hours-
since-installation, do the following:
    (1) Replace affected EGT harnesses and EGT couplings, not being 
trend monitored, with serviceable parts within 500 flight hours after 
the effective date of this AD; or
    (2) After the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Review the smooth data EGT trend via the System for Analysis of 
Gas Turbine Engines (SAGE), or equivalent, since the affected 
components were first installed on the current engine.
    (ii) Continue this trend monitoring for the affected EGT harnesses 
and EGT couplings to ensure that the system does not show a minimum of 
30 [deg]C downward (i.e. cooler) indication, or more, without a 
corresponding change in other associated engine parameters such as N1 
(LPT rotor speed), N2 (HPT rotor speed), and fuel flow.
    (iii) Provided that there is sufficient, actual EGT margin to do 
so, replace the EGT harnesses and EGT couplings within 100 flight hours 
after they have been determined to be defective.
    (iv) Continue to monitor the EGT indications for 3,000 engine 
flight hours since the first installation on the current engine.

Terminating Action

    (h) Any of the following three conditions is terminating action for 
the trend monitoring requirements specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) 
through (g)(2)(iv) of this AD:
    (1) Replacing an EGT harness and EGT coupling with a serviceable 
part, or
    (2) Replacing an EGT harness and EGT coupling with an EGT harness 
and EGT coupling that has a letter ``W'' following the SN, or
    (3) Accumulating 3,000 engine flight hours on an EGT harness and 
EGT coupling.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority to 
approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) Airworthiness directive No. F-2003-001 R2, dated June 8, 2005, 
which is from the Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile airworthiness 
authority for France, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 12, 2006.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-9446 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am]
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