[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46395-46396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21629]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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. 74, No. 173 / Wednesday, September 9, 2009 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 46395]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0502; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-02-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company (GE) CJ610 
Series Turbojet Engines and CF700 Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for GE CJ610 series turbojet engines and CF700 turbofan engines with 
AFT Technologies combustion liners, part number (P/N) AFT-5016T30G02. 
This proposed AD would require removing from service, AFT Technologies 
combustion liners, P/N AFT-5016T30G02. This proposed AD results from a 
report of an AFT Technologies combustion liner that released a large 
section of the inner combustion liner and reports of six combustion 
liners with premature cracks. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
premature cracks in the combustion liner, which could release pieces of 
the inner combustion liner. A release of pieces of the inner combustion 
liner could cause an uncontained failure of the engine turbine and 
damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by November 9, 
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: Norman Perenson, Aerospace Engineer, 
New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (516) 228-7337; fax (516) 794-
5531.

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-2009-0502; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-NE-02-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. 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

    We have received a report of a large section of a combustion liner 
breaking free that caused damage to the turbine and excessive engine 
vibration. Also, we have received six reports of premature combustion 
liner cracking, determined by borescope inspection and precautionary 
removal of the combustion liners by the repair facility. Excessive 
cracking of the combustion liner could result in liberation of 
combustion liner pieces and damage to the turbine. The PMA holder has 
not been able to determine the cause of the premature combustion liner 
failure. Without a prohibition against installing a new or serviceable 
AFT Technologies combustion liner in the field and at AFT, there will 
be nothing to prevent a large piece of the combustion liner from 
releasing and damaging the turbine. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in an uncontained failure of the engine turbine 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 
replacing combustion liners, P/N AFT-5016T30G02:
     Before they accumulate 200 hours-since-new (HSN) or 300 
cycles-since-new (CSN), or
     Within 15 hours-in-service or 10 cycles-in-service if the 
combustion liner has already exceeded 200 HSN or 300 CSN.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 13 engines installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take 
about 96 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 $7,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we

[[Page 46396]]

estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be 
$190,840.

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 (GE): Docket No. FAA-2009-0502; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-NE-02-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by November 9, 
2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to GE CJ610 series turbojet and CF700 series 
turbofan engines with AFT Technologies combustion liner, part number 
(P/N) AFT-5016T30G02, installed. These engines are installed on, but 
not limited to, Learjet Inc. model 24 series and model 25 series 
airplanes, Dassault Aviation Fan Jet Falcon series airplanes, and 
Sabreliner Corporation NA-265-70 and NA-265-80 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of an AFT Technologies 
combustion liner that released a large section of the inner 
combustion liner and reports of six combustion liners with premature 
cracks. We are proposing this AD to prevent premature cracks in the 
combustion liner, which could release pieces of the inner combustion 
liner. A release of pieces of the inner combustion liner could cause 
an uncontained failure of the engine turbine 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.

Replacement of AFT Technologies Combustion Liner P/N AFT-5016T30G02

    (f) For engines that have an AFT Technologies combustion liner, 
P/N AFT-5016T30G02, with fewer than 200 hours-since-new (HSN) or 300 
cycles-since-new (CSN), remove the AFT Technologies combustion 
liner, P/N AFT-5016T30G02, before exceeding 200 HSN or 300 CSN, 
whichever occurs first.
    (g) For engines that have an AFT Technologies combustion liner, 
P/N AFT-5016T30G02, with 200 HSN or more or 300 CSN or more, remove 
the AFT Technologies combustion liner, P/N AFT-5016T30G02, within 15 
hours-in-service or 10 cycles-in-service, after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (h) After the effective date of this AD, don't install any AFT 
Technologies combustion liner, P/N AFT-5016T30G02, in any engine.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, New York Aircraft 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) Contact Norman Perenson, Aerospace Engineer, New York 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (516) 228-7337; fax (516) 794-
5531, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 2, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-21629 Filed 9-8-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P