[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 109 (Thursday, June 8, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26615-26616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11782]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0254; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-10-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) CF34-8E model turbofan engines. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report that using a certain repair 
procedure for the fan outlet guide vane (OGV) frame could alter the 
strength capability of the fan OGV frame. This proposed AD would 
require replacement of all fan OGV frames repaired using this 
procedure. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 24, 2017.

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: 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 NPRM, contact General 
Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 
45215, phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; email: [email protected]. 
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.

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-2017-
0254; 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: Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 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 this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0254; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-10-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 received a report that using a certain repair procedure for the 
fan OGV frame could alter the strength capability of the fan OGV frame 
because the repair procedure included an improper heat cycle. This 
proposed AD would require replacement of all fan OGV frames repaired 
using this procedure. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
failure of the fan OGV frame, engine separation, and loss of the 
airplane.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE CF34-8E Engine Manual, GEK 112031, 72-00-23, REPAIR 
006. The repair describes procedures for applying a dry-film lubricant 
to the fan OGV frame with heat curing.

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 replacement of fan OGV frames.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 42 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 26616]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fan OGV frame part--annual, prorated    0 work-hour x $85 per         $12,300.00      $12,300.00     $516,600.00
 cost.                                   hour = $0.00.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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):

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2017-0254; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-NE-10-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 24, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8E2; 
CF34-8E2A1; CF34-8E5; CF34-8E5A1; CF34-8E5A2; CF34-8E6; and CF34-
8E6A1 model turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC), 7270, Turbine Engine 
Bypass Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that using a certain repair 
procedure for the fan outlet guide vane (OGV) frame could alter the 
strength capability of the fan OGV frame. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the fan OGV frame, engine separation, and loss of 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For engines with a fan OGV frame installed that was repaired 
using GE CF34-8E Engine Manual, GEK 112031, 72-00-23, REPAIR 006:
    (i) If the fan OGV frame has 24,900 cycles since new (CSN) or 
more on the effective date of this AD, remove the OGV frame from 
service within 100 cycles after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) If the OGV frame has less than 24,900 CSN on the effective 
date of this AD, remove the fan OGV frame from service at the next 
shop visit after the effective date of this AD, or before exceeding 
25,000 CSN, whichever occurs earlier.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a fan 
OGV frame that was repaired using GE CF34-8E Engine Manual, GEK 
112031, 72-00-23, REPAIR 006.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges.

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

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Martin Adler, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781-238-
7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) GE CF34-8E Engine Manual, GEK 112031, 72-00-23, REPAIR 006 
can be obtained from GE using the contact information in paragraph 
(j)(3) of this AD.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, OH 45215, phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; email: 
[email protected].
    (4) 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 25, 2017.
Carlos A. Pestana,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-11782 Filed 6-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P