[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 243 (Monday, December 21, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67834-67836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30219]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1353; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-46-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5B1/P, -
5B2/P, -5B3/P, -5B3/P1, -5B4/P, -5B5/P, -5B6/P, -5B7/P, -5B8/P, -5B9/P, 
-5B1/2P, -5B2/2P, -5B3/2P, -5B3/2P1, -5B4/2P, -5B4/P1, -5B6/2P, -5B4/
2P1, and -5B9/2P 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, S.A. CFM56-5B series turbofan 
engines. That AD currently requires reviewing exhaust gas temperature 
(EGT) monitoring records to determine EGT margin deterioration, and for 
airplanes where both engines have greater than 80 [deg]centigrade (C) 
of EGT margin deterioration, borescope-inspecting the high-pressure 
compressor (HPC) of both engines. That AD also currently requires 
removing from service any engine that does not pass the borescope 
inspection and, if both engines pass, removing and replacing one of the 
engines with an engine that has 80 [deg]C or less of EGT margin 
deterioration. That AD also currently requires continuous monitoring of 
EGT margin deterioration on engines in service to prevent two engines 
on an airplane from having greater than 80 [deg]C of EGT margin 
deterioration. This proposed AD would require continuous monitoring of 
EGT margin deterioration, removing FADEC software version 5.B.Q and 
earlier versions from the engine as mandatory terminating action to the 
repetitive recalculating and EGT monitoring for certain engine models, 
and removing other certain engine models from service if the EGT margin 
deterioration is greater than 75 [deg]C. This proposed AD results from 
the need to reduce the affected engine models listed in AD 2009-01-01 
from 25 to 19, the need to reduce the engine EGT margin deterioration 
removal threshold from greater than 80 [deg]C to greater than 75 
[deg]C, the need to mandate a terminating action to the repetitive 
recalculating and EGT monitoring for certain engines, and the need to 
remove certain engines from service if the EGT margin deterioration is 
greater than 75 [deg]C. We are proposing this AD to prevent HPC stalls, 
which could prevent continued safe flight or landing.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by February 19, 
2010.

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: James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7152; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-1353; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-NE-46-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

    The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 by superseding AD 2009-01-
01, Amendment 39-15779 (73 FR 80296, December 31, 2008). That AD 
requires reviewing EGT monitoring records to determine EGT margin 
deterioration, and, for airplanes where both engines have greater than 
80 [deg]C of EGT margin deterioration, borescope-inspecting the HPC of 
both engines. That AD also currently requires removing from service any 
engine that does not pass the borescope inspection, and if both engines 
pass, removing and replacing one of the engines with an engine that has 
80 [deg]C or less EGT margin deterioration. That AD also currently 
requires continuous monitoring of EGT margin deterioration on engines 
in service, to prevent two engines on an airplane from having greater 
than 80 [deg]C of EGT margin deterioration. That AD was the result of 
an Airbus A321 airplane powered by CFM56-5B1/P turbofan engines with 
severe HPC deterioration, that stalled during climb out after takeoff. 
That condition, if not corrected, could result in HPC stalls, which 
could prevent continued safe flight or landing.

Actions Since AD 2009-01-01 Was Issued

    Since AD 2009-01-01 was issued, we determined that engine models 
CFM56-5B1, -5B2, -5B4, -5B5, -5B6, and -5B7, which were listed in that 
AD, are not affected by the unsafe condition. Also, CFM International, 
S.A. has released a FADEC software version that addresses the HPC stall 
problem for certain engine models. We also determined that we

[[Page 67835]]

need to reduce the engine EGT margin deterioration removal threshold 
from greater than 80 [deg]C to greater than 75 [deg]C. Reducing this 
removal threshold will provide additional margin to assure that an 
engine stall will not occur. Also, we have determined the need to 
require a mandatory terminating action to the repetitive EGT monitoring 
required by that AD and this proposed AD, for CFM56-5B1/P, -5B2/P, -
5B3/P, -5B3/P1, -5B4/P, -5B5/P, -5B6/P, -5B7/P, -5B8/P, -5B9/P, and -
5B4/P1 turbofan engines. Also, we have determined the need to remove 
CFM56-5B1/2P, -5B2/2P, -5B3/2P, -5B3/2P1, -5B4/2P, -5B4/2P1, -5B6/2P 
and -5B9/2P turbofan engines from service if the EGT margin 
deterioration is greater than 75 [deg]C.

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. For that reason, we are proposing this AD, 
for CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5B1/P, -5B2/P, -5B3/P, -5B3/P1, -5B4/
P, -5B4/P1, -5B5/P, -5B6/P, -5B7/P, -5B8/P, and -5B9/P turbofan engines 
with FADEC software version 5.B.Q. or any earlier version installed, to 
require the following:
     On the effective date of this proposed AD, and at any time 
after the effective date of the proposed AD, you are to monitor and 
calculate EGT margin deterioration; and
     As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
recalculating and monitoring of EGT margin deterioration, you are to 
remove FADEC software version 5.B.Q and earlier versions from certain 
engines that have greater than 75 [deg]C of EGT margin deterioration 
within 150 additional cycles-in-service (CIS); and
     As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
recalculating and monitoring of EGT margin deterioration, you are to 
remove FADEC software version 5.B.Q and earlier versions from certain 
engines that have less than or equal to 75 [deg]C of EGT margin 
deterioration within 900 additional CIS.
    We are also proposing this AD, for CFM International, S.A. CFM56-
5B1/2P, -5B2/2P, -5B3/2P, -5B3/2P1, -5B4/2P, -5B4/2P1, -5B6/2P, and -
5B9/2P turbofan engines to require the following:
     On the effective date of this proposed AD, and at any time 
after the effective date of this proposed AD, you are to monitor and 
calculate EGT margin deterioration; and
     You are to remove engines from service that have greater 
than 75 [deg]C of EGT margin deterioration within 150 additional CIS.
    We are also proposing this AD to remove engine models CFM56-5B1, -
5B2, -5B4, -5B5, -5B6, and -5B7 from the applicability.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 397 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about one work-hour to install FADEC software. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work-hour. There are no required parts costs. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. 
operators to be $31,760.

Interim Actions

    These actions are interim actions and we anticipate further 
rulemaking actions in the future, including further action to address 
the remaining engines in service that are above 75 [deg]C of EGT margin 
deterioration.

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 removing Amendment 39-15779 (73 FR 
80296, December 31, 2008) and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

CFM International, S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2008-1353; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-NE-46-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by February 19, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2009-01-01, Amendment 39-15779.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5B1/P, -
5B2/P, -5B3/P, -5B3/P1, -5B4/P, -5B5/P, -5B6/P, -5B7/P, -5B8/P, -
5B9/P, -5B1/2P, -5B2/2P, -5B3/2P, -5B3/2P1, -5B4/2P, -5B4/P1, -5B6/
2P, -5B4/2P1, and -5B9/2P turbofan engines. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 
series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the need to reduce the affected engine 
models listed in AD 2009-01-01 from 25 to 19, the need to reduce the 
engine EGT margin deterioration removal threshold from greater than 
80 [deg]C to greater than 75 [deg]C, the need to mandate a 
terminating action to the repetitive recalculating and EGT 
monitoring for certain engines, and the need to remove certain 
engines from service if the EGT margin

[[Page 67836]]

deterioration is greater than 75 [deg]C. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent high-pressure compressor stalls, which could prevent 
continued safe flight or landing.

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) On the effective date of this AD, and at any time after the 
effective date of this AD, for CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5B1/P, 
-5B2/P, -5B3/P, -5B3/P1, -5B4/P, -5B4/P1, -5B5/P, -5B6/P, -5B7/P, -
5B8/P and -5B9/P turbofan engines:
    (1) Monitor and calculate engine EGT margin deterioration. 
Guidance on calculating EGT margin deterioration can be found in CFM 
International, S.A. Alert Service Bulletin no. CFM56-5B S/B 72-
A0722, Revision 1, dated March 20, 2009.
    (2) As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
recalculating and monitoring of EGT margin deterioration, remove 
FADEC software version 5.B.Q and earlier versions from engines that 
have greater than 75 [deg]C of EGT margin deterioration within 150 
additional cycles-in-service (CIS).
    (3) As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
recalculating and monitoring of EGT margin deterioration, remove 
FADEC software version 5.B.Q and earlier versions from engines that 
have less than or equal to 75 [deg]C of EGT margin deterioration 
within 900 additional CIS.
    (g) On the effective date of this AD, and at any time after the 
effective date of this AD, for CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5B1/2P, 
-5B2/2P, -5B3/2P, -5B3/2P1, -5B4/2P, -5B4/2P1, -5B6/2P and -5B9/2P 
turbofan engines:
    (1) Monitor and calculate engine EGT margin deterioration.
    (2) Remove engines from service that have greater than 75 [deg]C 
of EGT margin deterioration within 150 additional CIS. Do not 
install an engine that has greater than 75 [deg]C of EGT margin 
deterioration.

Installation Prohibition

    (h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install FADEC 
software version 5.B.Q or any earlier software versions to any of 
the engines affected by this AD.

Interim Actions

    (i) These actions are interim actions and we anticipate further 
rulemaking actions in the future, including further action to 
address the remaining engines in service that are above 75 [deg]C 
deterioration of EGT margin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (k) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2009-0088, Revision 1, dated April 28, 2009, CFM 
International, S.A. Service Bulletin No. CFM56-5B S/B 73-0229, 
Revision 1, dated February 26, 2009, and CFM International, S. A. 
Service Bulletin No. CFM56-5B S/B 72-0722, Revision 1, dated March 
20, 2009, for related information.
    (l) Contact CFM International, S.A., Technical Customer Support, 
1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone (513) 552-3272; fax 
(513) 552-3329, for a copy of the service information referenced in 
this AD.
    (m) Contact James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; 
telephone (781) 238-7152; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information 
about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts on December 10, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-30219 Filed 12-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P