[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 9 (Monday, January 14, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2644-2646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00529]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1114; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-21-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain CFM International, S. A. (CFM) model CFM56-5 and CFM56-5B 
series turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by corrosion of 
the delta P valve in the hydromechanical unit (HMU) caused by 
contaminants in type TS-1 fuel. This proposed AD would require 
cleaning, inspection and repair of affected HMUs. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent seizure of the HMU, leading to failure of one or more 
engines and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     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 service information identified in this proposed AD, contact CFM 
International Inc., Aviation Operations Center, 1 Neumann Way, M/D Room 
285, Cincinnati, OH 45125; International phone: 1-513-552-3272; USA 
phone: 877-432-3272; International fax: 1-513-552-3329; USA fax: 877-
432-3329; email: [email protected]; or CFM International SA, Customer 
Support Center, International phone: 33 1 64 14 88 66; fax: 33 1 64 79 
85 55; email: [email protected]. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

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 (phone: 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7157; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about

[[Page 2645]]

this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the 
ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1114; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-NE-21-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed 
AD based on 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.

Discussion

    We have received reports over the past 18 months of CFM model 
CFM56-5 and CFM56-5B series turbofan engines, when operated on type TS-
1 fuel, that have experienced an in-flight shutdown resulting from HMU 
failures. Investigation has determined that these HMU failures were 
caused by corrosion and seizure of the HMU delta P valve. Fuel samples 
from event airplanes also contained contaminants and corrosive 
catalysts. This condition, if not corrected, could result in seizure of 
the HMU, leading to failure of one or more engines and damage to the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed CFM Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-5 S/B 73-0182, Revision 
7, dated September 25, 2012, and CFM SB CFM56-5B S/B 73-0122, Revision 
9, dated September 25, 2012. The service information describes 
procedures for cleaning, inspection, and repair of the affected HMUs.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this proposed AD because we evaluated all the 
relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist in other products of the same type 
design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removing, cleaning, inspection, and 
repair of the affected HMUs.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would not affect any products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 4 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. 
The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the proposed AD to have no cost impact 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 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

CFM International S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2012-1114; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-NE-21-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 15, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-5 and 
CFM56-5B series turbofan engines with any of the hydromechanical 
unit (HMU) fuel control part numbers (P/Ns) in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD, installed:
    (1) CFM56-5: CFM P/Ns 1348M79P02; 1348M79P03; 1348M79P04; 
1348M79P06; 1348M79P07; 1348M79P08; 1348M79P09; 1348M79P10; 
1348M79P11; 1348M79P12; 1348M79P13; and 1348M79P14.
    (2) CFM56-5B: CFM P/Ns: 1348M79P08; 1348M79P09; 1348M79P10; 
1348M79P11; 1348M79P12; 1348M79P13; and 1348M79P14.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by corrosion of the delta P valve in the 
HMU fuel control caused by exposure to type TS-1 fuel. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent seizure of the HMU, leading to failure of 
one or more engines and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following:

(f) Record Type TS-1 Fuel Usage

    (1) From the effective date of this AD, record all TS-1 fuel 
usage.
    (2) If the HMU never uses TS-1 fuel, no further action is 
required.

(g) Initial Inspection

    If the HMU has operated on TS-1 fuel, inspect the HMU for 
corrosion as follows:
    (1) For an HMU that has operated for less than 8,000 hours since 
new (HSN) or hours since last overhaul, inspect the HMU before 
10,000 HSN or hours since last overhaul, whichever comes later.
    (2) For an HMU that has operated for 8,000 or more HSN or hours 
since last overhaul, inspect the HMU within 24 months or 2,000 hours 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever comes first.
    (3) Use paragraph 3.A(2) of CFM Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-5 S/
B 73-0182, Revision 7, dated September 25, 2012, or CFM SB CFM56-5B 
S/B 73-0122, Revision 9, dated September 25, 2012, to do the 
inspection.

[[Page 2646]]

(h) Repetitive Inspections

    Repeat the inspection required in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD 
before 10,000 hours since last overhaul if after last overhaul the 
HMU is exposed to TS-1 fuel.

(i) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Martin Adler, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to EASA Airworthiness Directive No. 2012-0123, dated 
July 9, 2012, and CFM SBs CFM56-5 S/B 73-0182, Revision 7, dated 
September 25, 2012, and CFM56-5B S/B 73-0122, Revision 9, dated 
September 25, 2012, for related information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact CFM 
International Inc., Aviation Operations Center, 1 Neumann Way, M/D 
Room 285, Cincinnati, OH 45125; International phone: 1-513-552-3272; 
USA phone: 877-432-3272; International fax: 1-513-552-3329; USA fax: 
877-432-3329; email: [email protected]; or CFM International SA, 
Customer Support Center, International phone: 33 1 64 14 88 66; fax: 
33 1 64 79 85 55; email: [email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 4, 2013.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-00529 Filed 1-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P