[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 18 (Monday, January 28, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5712-5713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01360]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1289; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD; 
Amendment 39-17323; AD 2013-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Turbofan 
Engines Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SE00034EN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for CFM 
International, S.A. CFM56-3, CFM56-3B, and CFM56-3C turbofan engines. 
This AD requires removal from service of certain high-pressure turbine 
(HPT) disks manufactured by Global Material Solutions of Pratt & 
Whitney, at reduced maximum life limits. This AD was prompted by a 
report of a forging process error during manufacture of these HPT 
disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained release of 
multiple turbine blades, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective January 28, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 28, 
2013.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 14, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt & 
Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-7700; 
fax: 860-565-1605. 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 Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report from Global Material Solutions of Pratt & 
Whitney, of a forging process error that occurred during manufacture of 
HPT disks, part number (P/N) 880026, serial numbers (S/Ns) GLKBAA9307, 
GLKBAA9335, GLKBAA9404, GLKBAA9407, and GLKBAA9409. During the last 
forging operation of the manufacturing process, the forging temperature 
at the disk rim was incorrect. This resulted in below allowable creep 
properties of the HPT disk, which reduced the calculated maximum life 
limits. This condition, if not corrected, could result in uncontained 
release of multiple turbine blades, damage to the engine, and damage to 
the airplane.

FAA's Determination

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

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removal of the affected HPT disks at reduced 
maximum life limits, as follows:
     For CFM56-3, CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines 
operating to 20,100 lbs maximum takeoff (MTO) thrust, remove the HPT 
disk on or before accumulating 8,000 cycles-since-new (CSN).
     For CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 
22,100 lbs MTO thrust, remove the HPT disk on or before accumulating 
8,000 CSN.
     For CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 23,500 lbs MTO 
thrust, remove the HPT disk on or before accumulating 4,000 CSN.
     For HPT disks that have been used in multiple models or 
thrust installations, the formula in the ADDED DATA section of Pratt & 
Whitney Special Instruction 6F-12 dated December 21, 2012 must be used 
to calculate the remaining life on the disk.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days. Accordingly, this AD is effective upon publication.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket Number FAA-2012-1289; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,

[[Page 5713]]

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because 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 we 
receive about this AD.

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2013-02-02 CFM International, S.A.: Amendment 39-17323; Docket No. 
FAA-2012-1289; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-43-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 28, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to CFM International, S.A. CFM56-3, CFM56-3B, 
and CFM56-3C turbofan engines, modified by Supplemental Type 
Certificate SE00034EN, with a high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk, part 
number (P/N) 880026, serial number (S/N) GLKBAA9307, GLKBAA9335, 
GLKBAA9404, GLKBAA9407, or GLKBAA9409, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a forging process error 
during manufacture of these HPT disks. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent uncontained release of multiple turbine blades, damage to 
the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For CFM56-3, CFM56-3B, and CFM56-3C turbofan engines 
operating to 20,100 lbs maximum takeoff (MTO) thrust, remove the HPT 
disk from service on or before accumulating 8,000 cycles-since-new 
(CSN).
    (2) For CFM56-3B and CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 
22,100 lbs MTO thrust, remove the HPT disk from service on or before 
accumulating 8,000 CSN.
    (3) For CFM56-3C turbofan engines operating to 23,500 lbs MTO 
thrust, remove the HPT disk from service on or before accumulating 
4,000 CSN.
    (4) For HPT disks that have been used in multiple models or 
thrust installations, the formula in the ADDED DATA section of Pratt 
& Whitney Special Instruction 6F-12 dated December 21, 2012 must be 
used to calculate the remaining life on the disk.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(g) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Pratt & Whitney Corp. Special Instruction No. 6F-12, dated 
December 21, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Pratt 
& Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; phone: 860-565-
7700; fax: 860-565-1605.
    (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.
    (5) You may view this service information at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 14, 2013.
Thomas Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-01360 Filed 1-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P