[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21578-21580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08447]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0195; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-08-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company 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 all 
General Electric Company (GE) model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan 
engines with booster anti-ice (BAI) air duct, part number (P/N) 
2469M32G01, and support bracket, P/N 2469M46G01, installed. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the BAI air duct. This 
proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual inspections of 
the BAI air duct, removal from service of the BAI air duct if it fails 
inspection and, as a mandatory terminating action, the installation of 
new BAI air duct support brackets. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the BAI air duct, resulting in an in-flight shutdown of one 
or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 10, 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,

[[Page 21579]]

M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
General Electric, One Neumann Way, MD Y-75, Cincinnati, OH; phone: 513-
552-2913; email: [email protected]; and Web site: www.GE.com. 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 proposed 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: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0195; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-08-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 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for all GE model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-
2B67B turbofan engines with BAI air duct, P/N 2469M32G01, and support 
bracket, P/N 2469M46G01, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by 11 
reports of cracks in the BAI air duct, P/N 2469M32G01, caused by 
resonant vibration of the BAI valve system. Engineering analysis 
determined that the single support bracket is not sufficient to prevent 
the vibration and cracking in the BAI air duct, and that additional 
support brackets are needed. This proposed AD would require initial 
visual inspection of the BAI air duct before it reaches 400 cycles 
since new (CSN), and repetitive visual inspections every 100 cycles 
thereafter. If the BAI air duct fails inspection, the proposed AD would 
require removal of the BAI air duct from service. As a mandatory 
terminating action, the proposed AD would also require installation of 
new BAI air duct support brackets at the next removal of the BAI air 
duct, and replacement of the BAI air duct with a duct eligible for 
installation. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure 
of the BAI air duct, resulting in an in-flight shutdown of one or more 
engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the aircraft.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0006, dated 
July 23, 2012, and GE SB No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0008, Revision 1, dated 
February 4, 2013. GE SB No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0006 describes procedures 
for inspecting and, if necessary, removing and replacing the BAI air 
duct. GE SB No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0008, Revision 1, describes procedures 
for installing new BAI air duct support brackets, and inspection and 
possible replacement of BAI air ducts.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of the BAI air duct, replacement of the BAI air duct if it 
fails inspection and, as mandatory terminating action, installation of 
new BAI air duct support brackets.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 16 engines installed on 
airplanes 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. Required parts would cost about $11,000 per 
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD 
to U.S. operators to be $181,440.

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 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.

[[Page 21580]]

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):

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0195; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-NE-08-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 10, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) model GEnx-
2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan engines with booster anti-ice (BAI) air 
duct, part number (P/N) 2469M32G01, and support bracket, P/N 
2469M46G01, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the BAI air duct, 
P/N 2469M32G01. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the BAI 
air duct, resulting in an in-flight shutdown of one or more engines, 
loss of thrust control, and damage to the aircraft.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) Inspection of BAI Air Duct

    (1) Perform an initial visual inspection of the BAI air duct, P/
N 2469M32G01, for cracks prior to accumulating 400 cycles since new 
(CSN).
    (2) Thereafter, repeat the visual inspection within every 100 
cycles since last inspection.
    (3) If cracks in the BAI air duct are found during any 
inspection required by this AD, remove the BAI air duct from 
service.

(g) Mandatory Terminating Action

    As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspection 
requirement of this AD, at the next removal of BAI air duct, P/N 
2469M32G01, or if the BAI air duct is found cracked, after the 
effective date of this AD, do the following:
    (1) Install new BAI air duct support brackets, P/Ns 2550M03G01, 
2548M66G01, 2548M67P01, 2550M18G01, and 2550M17P01.
    (2) Replace the BAI air duct with one that is eligible for 
installation.

(h) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, a BAI air duct that is eligible for 
installation is one that has accumulated 25 CSN or fewer.

(i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jason Yang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0006, 
dated July 23, 2012, and GE SB No. GEnx-2B S/B 75-0008, Revision 1, 
dated February 4, 2013, for guidance on inspecting and, if 
necessary, removing and replacing the BAI air duct, as well as 
procedures for installation of new BAI air duct support brackets.
    (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact General Electric, One Neumann Way, MD Y-75, Cincinnati, OH; 
phone: 513-552-2913; email: [email protected]; and Web site: 
www.GE.com. 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 April 4, 2013.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08447 Filed 4-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P