[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72567-72568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28866]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0499; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-20-AD; 
Amendment 39-17673; AD 2013-23-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and -115B turbofan engines. 
This AD was prompted by multiple events of a leaking variable bypass 
valve (VBV) actuator fuel supply tube. This AD requires replacement of 
this VBV actuator fuel supply tube with a part eligible for 
installation. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the affected 
fuel supply tube, fuel leakage, engine fire, and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective January 7, 2014.

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 address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on July, 25, 2013 (78 FR 44899, 
July 25, 2013). The NPRM proposed to require replacement of the 
affected VBV actuator fuel supply tube, part number 2165M22P01, with a 
part eligible for installation.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Agreement With the Proposed AD

    The Boeing Company and FedEx Express agreed with the AD as 
proposed.

Request To Change the Compliance Time

    GE requested that we change the compliance time in this AD from 
``at the next shop visit, after the effective date of this AD'' to ``as 
soon as possible without effect on revenue service, but before April 1, 
2014.'' No justification was provided for the change.
    We do not agree. Replacement of the VBV actuator fuel supply tube 
at the next shop visit maintains an acceptable level of safety for the 
fleet, based on safety risk analysis. We have no data to support that a 
more aggressive replacement schedule is required to maintain that 
acceptable level of safety. We did not change the AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed.

[[Page 72568]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 59 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
eight hours per engine to replace the VBV actuator fuel supply tube. 
The cost of this part is about $14,310. The average labor rate is $85 
per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $884,410.

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 if 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.

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):

2013-23-18 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-17673; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0499; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-20-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 7, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and 
-115B turbofan engines with variable bypass valve (VBV) actuator 
fuel supply tube, part number (P/N) 2165M22P01, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple events of a leaking VBV 
actuator fuel supply tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the affected fuel supply tube, fuel leakage, engine fire, and 
damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    (1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (2) At the next shop visit, after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the VBV actuator fuel supply tube, P/N 2165M22P01, with a 
part eligible for installation.

(f) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is the induction of an 
engine into the shop for maintenance or overhaul. The separation of 
engine flanges solely for the purposes of transporting the engine 
without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine 
shop visit.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any VBV 
actuator fuel supply tube, P/N 2165M22P01, onto any engine.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jason Yang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 14, 2013.
Frank P. Paskiewicz,
Acting Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28866 Filed 12-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P