[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 33 (Friday, February 20, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7831-7833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3609]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0121; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-36-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company (GE) CF6-
80C2B5F Turbofan Engines

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for GE CF6-80C2B5F turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require 
removing certain part number (P/N) high-pressure compressor rotor 
(HPCR) 11-14 spool/shafts before they exceed a new, reduced life limit. 
This proposed AD results from an internal GE audit that compared the 
life limited parts certification documentation to the airworthiness 
limitations section (ALS) of the instructions for continuing 
airworthiness (ICA). We are proposing this AD to prevent HPCR 11-14 
spool/shaft fatigue cracks caused by exceeding the life limit, which 
could result in a possible uncontained failure of the HPCR spool/shaft 
and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by April 21, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Part, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7754; 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-2009-0121; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-NE-36-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://www.regulations.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 Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any 
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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).

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m.

[[Page 7832]]

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as the 
Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

Discussion

    The ALS in the ICA for CF6-80C2 series engines incorrectly cited a 
cyclic life of 20,000 cycles for the HPCR 11-14 spool/shaft, P/N 
1703M74G03, installed in CF6-80C2B5F engines. The certified life for 
this spool/shaft in CF6-80C2B5F engines is 19,500 cycles. The HPCR 11-
14 spool/shaft, P/N 1703M74G03, wasn't originally certified for CF6-
80C2B5F engines, but was included in the ALS under the CF6-80C2B5F 
engine model listing with a 20,000 cycle limit. When the spool/shaft 
was certified for the CF6-80C2B5F, it was certified for 19,500 cycles. 
GE changed the ALS to 19,500 cycles. Exceeding the 19,500 cycle life 
limit could result in fatigue cracks starting and growing until the 
spool/shaft fails. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
possible uncontained HPCR spool/shaft failure and damage to the 
airplane.

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 
removing from service CF6-80C2B5F engines with HPCR 11-14 spool/shafts, 
P/N 1703M74G03, before they exceed 19,500 cycles.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect one engine installed 
on an airplane of U.S. registry. We also estimate that the proposed 
actions would require no work-hours per engine. No parts are required. 
Based on these figures, we estimate there is no cost of the proposed AD 
to U.S. operators.

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. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

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-2009-0121; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-NE-36-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by April 21, 
2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2B5F 
turbofan engines with a high-pressure compressor rotor (HPCR) 11-14 
spool/shaft, part number (P/N) 1703M74G03, installed. These engines 
are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 747 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from an internal GE audit that compared the 
life limited parts certification documentation to the airworthiness 
limitations section (ALS) of the instructions for continuing 
airworthiness (ICA). We are issuing this AD to prevent HPCR 11-14 
spool/shaft fatigue cracks caused by exceeding the life limit, which 
could result in a possible uncontained failure of the HPCR spool/
shaft and damage to the airplane.

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.

New Reduced Life Limit for the HPCR 11-14 Spool/Shaft

    (f) Remove any CF6-80C2B5F turbofan engine that has an HPCR 11-
14 spool/shaft, P/N 1703M74G03, before the spool/shaft meets or 
exceeds the new, reduced life cycle limit of 19,500 cycles.

Installation Prohibition

    (g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any CF6-
80C2B5F turbofan engine that has an HPCR 11-14 spool/shaft, P/N 
1703M74G03, that meets or exceeds 19,500 cycles.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (i) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are prohibiting special flight 
permits for this AD.

Related Information

    (j) Contact Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Part, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7754; fax (781) 238-7199, 
for more information about this AD.


[[Page 7833]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 12, 2009.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-3609 Filed 2-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P