[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13714-13716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05702]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3713; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-23-AD; 
Amendment 39-18425; AD 2016-05-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Engine Alliance Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 13715]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by 
reports of the installation of non-conforming honeycomb cartridges in 
the high-pressure compressor (HPC) adjacent to the HPC rotor stage 2 to 
5 spool and stage 7 to 9 spool. This AD requires removal and 
replacement of the affected HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 and stage 7 to 9 
spools and adjacent honeycomb cartridges. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 and stage 7 to 9 spools, 
which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 19, 2016. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in this AD as of April 19, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Engine Alliance, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108, M/S 169-10, 
phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; Web site: 
www.engineallianceportal.com. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-3713.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3713; 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: Kyle Gustafson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 
MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7183; 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 certain EA GP7270 turbofan 
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2015 
(80 FR 64373). The NPRM was prompted by reports of the installation of 
non-conforming honeycomb cartridges in the HPC adjacent to the HPC 
rotor stage 2 to 5 spool and stage 7 to 9 spool. The NPRM proposed to 
require removal and replacement of the affected HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 
and stage 7 to 9 spools and adjacent honeycomb cartridges. We are 
issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed EA Service Bulletin (SB) EAGP7-72-327, dated July 21, 
2015; and SB EAGP7-72-328, dated July 21, 2015. The SBs describe 
procedures for removal and replacement of the affected HPC rotor stage 
2 to 5 spools and HPC rotor stage 7 to 9 spools and adjacent honeycomb 
cartridges. This service information is reasonably available because 
the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Comments

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

Support for the NPRM (80 FR 64373, October 23, 2015)

    A commenter supports the NPRM (80 FR 64373, October 23, 2015).

Request To Change Applicability

    EA requested that we expand the applicability to include GP7272 and 
GP7277 turbofan engines models. EA stated that the AD applies to GP7272 
and GP7277 turbofan engines ratings in addition to GP7270.
    We disagree. No GP7272 or GP7277 turbofan engines have been 
delivered. New engines would be delivered in the corrected 
configuration and would not be impacted by this AD. We did not change 
this AD.

Request To Change the Unsafe Condition Statement

    EA requested that we change the unsafe condition statement to ``We 
are issuing this AD to prevent a hazardous engine condition.'' because 
no engine failures have occurred in the field due to non-conforming 
honeycomb cartridges.
    We disagree. The unsafe condition describes the condition we are 
trying to prevent and is the justification for this AD. It does not 
describe what has occurred in the past. We did not change this AD.

Request To Change the Summary and Relevant Service Information 
Paragraphs

    EA requested that we include ``honeycomb cartridges'' in the 
Summary and Relevant Service Information paragraphs to indicate that 
the honeycomb cartridges require replacement.
    We agree because the proposed change more completely describes the 
requirements of this AD. We changed the Summary and Relevant Service 
Information paragraphs of this AD.

Request To Change the Relevant Service Information, Applicability, and 
Compliance Paragraphs

    EA requested that we revise the Relevant Service Information, 
Applicability, and Compliance paragraphs of this AD to allow future 
revisions of the applicable Service Bulletins (SBs).
    We disagree. We are only authorized to mandate use of SBs that we 
have reviewed and which are published. Since future revisions of SBs 
are not yet published, we are not authorized to mandate their use. We 
did not change this AD.

Request To Change the Compliance Paragraph

    EA requested that we revise Compliance paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this 
AD to ``Remove and replace the honeycomb cartridges on the HPC stage 5 
vanes with a part eligible for installation.''
    EA also requested that we revise Compliance paragraph (e)(2)(ii) to 
``Remove and replace the honeycomb cartridges on the HPC stage 6, stage 
7, and stage 8 vanes with a part eligible for installation.''
    We agree. We changed ``remove'' to ``remove from service'' and 
``seal'' to ``cartridges'' and added ``. . . with a part eligible for 
installation'' in compliance paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) and (e)(2)(ii) of 
this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously:

[[Page 13716]]

     [Agr]re consistent with the intent that was proposed in 
the NPRM (80 FR 64373) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 64373).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects zero engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. 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 $0.

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.

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):

2016-05-07 Engine Alliance: Amendment 39-18425; Docket No. FAA-2015-
3713; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-23-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 19, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 turbofan engines 
with one or both of the following installed:
    (1) A high-pressure compressor (HPC) rotor stage 2 to 5 spool, 
part number (P/N) 382-104-807-0, with a serial number (S/N) listed 
in EA Service Bulletin (SB) EAGP7-72-327, dated July 21, 2015; or
    (2) An HPC rotor stage 7 to 9 spool, P/N 2031M90G04, 2031M90G05, 
or 2031M90G07, with an S/N listed in EA SB EAGP7-72-328, dated July 
21, 2015.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of the installation of non-
conforming honeycomb cartridges in the HPC adjacent to the HPC rotor 
stage 2 to 5 spool and stage 7 to 9 spool. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 spools and stage 7 to 
9 spools, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage 
to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done. Within 30 days after the effective date of this 
AD or before accumulating 2,100 engine cycles since the last 
disassembly of the compressor module of the engine, whichever occurs 
later:
    (1) For engines with an HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 spool, P/N 382-
104-807-0, installed with an S/N listed in EA SB EAGP7-72-327, dated 
July 21, 2015, do the following:
    (i) Remove from service the HPC rotor stage 2 to 5 spool and 
replace with a part eligible for installation.
    (ii) Remove from service the honeycomb cartridges on the HPC 
stage 5 vanes and replace with parts eligible for installation.
    (2) For engines with an HPC rotor stage 7 to 9 spool, P/N 
2031M90G04, 2031M90G05, or 2031M90G07 installed with an S/N listed 
in EA SB EAGP7-72-328, dated July 21, 2015, do the following:
    (i) Remove from service the HPC rotor stage 7 to 9 spool and 
replace with a part eligible for installation.
    (ii) Remove from service the honeycomb cartridges on the HPC 
stage 6, stage 7, and stage 8 vanes and replace with parts eligible 
for installation.

(f) 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. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(g) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kyle Gustafson, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7183; 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) Engine Alliance Service Bulletin (SB) EAGP7-72-327, dated 
July 21, 2015.
    (ii) Engine Alliance SB EAGP7-72-328, dated July 21, 2015.
    (3) For Engine Alliance service information identified in this 
AD, contact Engine Alliance, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108, 
M/S 169-10, phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; Web site: 
www.engineallianceportal.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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 February 26, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05702 Filed 3-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P