[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 31 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7355-7357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2625]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 31 / Thursday, February 15, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 7355]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26488; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-43-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80 
Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for GE CF6-80 series turbofan engines having fuel shroud retaining snap 
rings, part number (P/N) J204P0084, installed. This proposed AD would 
require replacing those snap rings with a more robust design snap ring. 
This proposed AD results from two events of external engine fuel 
leakage and a subsequent under-cowl engine fire. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent an under-cowl engine fire and damage to the airplane 
during a high engine vibration event.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by April 16, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from General Electric Company via Lockheed Martin Technology Services, 
10525 Chester Road, Suite C, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215, telephone (513) 
672-8400, fax (513) 672-8422.
    You may examine the comments on this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: (781) 238-
7176, fax: (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-26488; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-43-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of the 
DOT Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments 
received and, any final disposition in person at the Docket Management 
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is 
located on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management Facility 
receives them.

Discussion

    In October 2002 and December 2005, in two CF6-80 series turbofan 
engine events, a fuel manifold broke due to high engine vibration. The 
resulting manifold break causes a condition where the leaking fuel 
pressure overcomes the restraining capability of the fuel shroud 
retaining snap ring. The fuel pressure forces the broken fuel manifold 
past the sealing capability of the fuel shroud. This leads to the fuel 
manifold unseating from the fuel shroud, causing external engine fuel 
leakage and a subsequent under-cowl engine fire. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in under-cowl engine fires and damage to the 
airplane during a high engine vibration event.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of GE Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. CF6-80C2 S/B 73-0337, Revision 3, dated February 5, 
2007, and GE SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0075, Revision 1, dated November 
27, 2006. These SBs describe procedures for replacing fuel shroud 
retaining snap rings, P/N J204P0084, with a more robust design fuel 
shroud snap ring, P/N 2186M12P01 designed to withstand fuel pressure 
from broken fuel manifolds.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design. We are proposing this AD, which would require 
replacing fuel shroud retaining snap rings, P/N J204P0084, with fuel 
shroud retaining snap rings, P/N 2186M12P01. The

[[Page 7356]]

proposed AD would require you to use the service information described 
previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 853 CF6-80 series 
turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also 
estimate that it would take about 12.5 work-hours per engine to perform 
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-
hour. Required parts would cost about $72 per engine. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. 
operators to be $914,416.

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 have 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 AD:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2006-26488; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NE-43-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by April 16, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following General Electric Company 
(GE) turbofan engines having one or more fuel shroud retaining snap 
rings, part number (P/N) J204P0084, installed:

 
 
 
CF6-80C2A1                           CF6-80C2B1F
CF6-80C2A2                           CF6-80C2B2F
CF6-80C2A3                           CF6-80C2B4F
CF6-80C2A5                           CF6-80C2B5F
CF6-80C2A8                           CF6-80C2B6F
CF6-80C2A5F                          CF6-80C2B6FA
CF6-80C2B1                           CF6-80C2B7F
CF6-80C2B2                           CF6-80C2B8F
CF6-80C2B4                           CF6-80C2D1F
CF6-80C2B6                           CF6-80C2L1F
 

    (d) This AD also applies to GE CF6-80E1A1, CF6-80E1A2, CF6-
80E1A3, CF6-80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4B turbofan engines that have 
incorporated GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0026, 
having one or more fuel shroud retaining snap rings, P/N J204P0084, 
installed.
    (e) These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus 
A300, A310, A330, Boeing 747, 767, and McDonnell Douglas MD11 
airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (f) This AD results from two events of external engine fuel 
leakage and a subsequent under-cowl engine fire. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent an under-cowl engine fire and damage to the airplane 
during a high engine vibration event.

Compliance

    (g) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed at the applicable time specified in the following Table 
1 compliance schedule, unless the actions have already been done.

                      Table 1.--Compliance Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  If:                                 Then:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The engine is listed in paragraph (c)    Comply with this AD at the next
 of this AD, and has incorporated GE SB   engine shop visit for any
 No. CF6-80C2 S/B 73-0253 (which          reason after the effective
 eliminates the fuel drain system         date of this AD.
 manifold and introduces a new
 drainless fuel manifold).
The engine is listed in paragraph (c)    Comply with this AD as soon as
 of this AD, and has not incorporated     one or more fuel shroud
 GE SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 73-0253.          retaining snap rings are
                                          removed from the engine.
The engine is listed in paragraph (d)    Then no action is required.
 of this AD, and has not incorporated
 GE SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0026 (which
 eliminates the fuel drain system
 manifold and introduces a new
 drainless fuel manifold).
The engine is listed in paragraph (d)    Comply with this AD at the next
 of this AD, and has incorporated GE SB   engine shop visit for any
 No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0026.                reason after the effective
                                          date of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Replacement of Fuel Shroud Retaining Snap Rings

    (h) Replace any fuel shroud retaining snap rings, P/N J204P0084, 
with a fuel shroud retaining snap ring, P/N 2186M12P01. Each engine 
has a total of 30 snap rings installed.
    (i) For CF6-80C2 series engines, use paragraphs 3.A. through 
3.C.(1)(b)2, of GE SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 73-0337, Revision 3, dated 
February 5, 2007, to do the replacements.

[[Page 7357]]

    (j) For CF6-80E1 series engines, use paragraphs 3.A. through 
3.C.(1)(b)2, of GE SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0075, Revision 1, dated 
November 27, 2006, to do the replacements.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (k) 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

    (l) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7176; fax (781) 238-7199; e-mail: [email protected] for more 
information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 9, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-2625 Filed 2-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P