[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13045-13046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5861]


 ========================================================================
 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.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 52 / Thursday, March 18, 2010 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 13045]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0026; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-03-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5, -5B, 
and -7B 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 CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5, -5B, and -7B series turbofan 
engines. This proposed AD would require removing from service, nine 
stage 3 low-pressure turbine (LPT) disks, identified by serial number 
(S/N). This proposed AD results from the discovery of a material 
nonconformity requiring removal of the disk before the certified disk 
life of certain stage 3 LPT disks. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
uncontained failure of the stage 3 LPT disk and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 17, 
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: Antonio Cancelliere, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7751; 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-2010-0026; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-NE-03-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

    In February 2009, we were made aware by CFM International, S.A. of 
stage 3 LPT disks, part number (P/N) 336-002-006-0, S/Ns DE255844, 
DE256388, DE256622, DE256623, DE256625, DE256627, DE256628, DE256631, 
and DE256637, being suspect of material non-conformity. This batch of 
parts was subject to a quality problem during manufacturing. CFM 
International, S.A. states that the manufacturing process has since 
been revised to eliminate the quality problem. The non-conformity 
requires removal from service of the suspect disks before their 
certified life limits. Operating engines with these affected disks to 
the certified life limit could result in uncontained failure of the 
stage 3 LPT disk 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. This proposed AD would require removing from 
service any affected stage 3 LPT disks from engines before their 
certified life limit. We are proposing this AD, which would require 
removing the affected stage 3 LPT disks from service before 
accumulating 9,500 cycles-since-new.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect two engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The pro-rated cost of the 
replacement parts is $40,375 per engine. We estimate that no additional 
labor costs would be incurred to perform the required disk removals, 
because the removals would be done at time of engine shop visit. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. 
operators to be $80,750.

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

[[Page 13046]]

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:

CFM International, S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2010-0026; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-NE-03-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by May 17, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to CFM International CFM56-5, -5B, and -7B 
series turbofan engines with stage 3 low-pressure turbine (LPT) 
disks installed with the following serial numbers, (S/Ns) DE255844, 
DE256388, DE256622, DE256623, DE256625, DE256627, DE256628, 
DE256631, and DE256637. The -5 and -5B series engines are installed 
on, but not limited to, Airbus A318, A319, A320, A321, and A340 
airplanes, and the -7B series engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Boeing 737 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the discovery of a material 
nonconformity requiring removal of the disk before the certified 
disk life of certain stage 3 LPT disks. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent uncontained failure of the stage 3 LPT disk and damage to 
the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance time specified unless the actions 
have already been done.

Removal of Affected Stage 3 LPT Disks From Service

    (f) Before accumulating 9,500 cycles-since-new, remove stage 3 
LPT disks from service.
    (g) After the effective date of this AD do not reinstall any 
stage 3 LPT disk removed from service per paragraph (f) of this AD 
into any engine.

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.

Related Information

    (i) Contact Antonio Cancelliere, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7751; fax (781) 
238-7199, for more information about this AD.
    (j) CFM International, S.A. Service Bulletin (SB) No. CFM56-5B 
S/B 72-0733, dated October 26, 2009, and SB No. CFM56-7B S/B 72-
0743, dated October 26, 2009, pertain to the subject of this AD. 
Contact CFM International, Technical Publications Department, 1 
Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone (513) 552-2800; fax 
(513) 552-2816, for a copy of this service information.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 11, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5861 Filed 3-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P