[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40516-40518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17828]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0313; Product Identifier 2017-NE-11-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CFM International S.A. Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-7B turbofan engines. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight fan blade failure 
and uncontained forward release of debris on a CFM56-7B turbofan 
engine. This proposed AD would require an ultrasonic inspection (USI) 
of certain fan blades and, if they fail the inspection, their 
replacement with parts eligible for installation. We are proposing this 
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 10, 
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 CFM 
International Inc., Aviation Operations Center, 1 Neumann Way, M/D Room 
285, Cincinnati, OH 45125; phone: 877-432-3272; fax: 877-432-3329; 
email: [email protected]. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy 
and Innovation Division, 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-
0313; 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: Kasra Sharifi, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7773; 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-2017-0313; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-11-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 of a fan blade failure and inlet separation on 
a CFM56-7B engine that occurred during a revenue flight. This fan blade 
failure was contained by the engine case, but there was subsequent 
uncontained forward release of inlet cowl and other debris. The 
fracture in the blade initiated from the fan blade dovetail. The 
investigation, however, into the root cause of the fan blade failure is 
not complete. This condition, if not

[[Page 40517]]

corrected, could result in fan blade failure, uncontained forward 
release of debris, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed CFM Service Bulletin (SB) No. CFM56-7B S/B 72-1019, 
Revision 1 dated June 13, 2017. The SB describes procedures for 
performing a USI of the affected fan blades. 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.

Other Related Service Information

    CFM CFM56-7B Engine Shop Manual, Revision 55, dated January 15, 
2017, task 72-21-01-200-001, provides guidance on performing an eddy 
current inspection of the affected fan blades.

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 a USI of the affected fan blades.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. We will determine if 
further action is needed based on the results of the root cause 
investigation of the fan blade failure.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 220 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USI................................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour              $0            $170         $37,400
                                      = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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.

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):

CFM International S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2017-0313; Product Identifier 
2017-NE-11-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 10, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-7B20, 
CFM56-7B22, CFM56-7B22/B1, CFM56-7B24, CFM56-7B24/B1, CFM56-7B26, 
CFM56-7B26/B2, CFM56-7B27, CFM56-7B27A, CFM56-7B26/B1, CFM56-7B27/
B1, CFM56-7B27/B3, CFM56-7B20/2, CFM56-7B22/2, CFM56-7B24/2, CFM56-
7B26/2, CFM56-7B27/2, CFM56-7B20/3, CFM56-7B22/3, CFM56-7B22/3B1, 
CFM56-7B24/3, CFM56-7B24/3B1, CFM56-7B26/3, CFM56-7B26/3B1, CFM56-
7B26/3B2, CFM56-7B27/3, CFM56-7B27/3B1, CFM56-7B27/3B3, CFM56-7B27A/
3, CFM56-7B26/3F, CFM56-7B26/3B2F, CFM56-7B27/3F, CFM56-7B27/3B1F, 
CFM56-7B20E, CFM56-7B22E, CFM56-7B22E/B1, CFM56-7B22E/B2, CFM56-
7B24E, CFM56-7B24E/B1, CFM56-7B26E, CFM56-7B26E/B1, CFM56-7B26E/B2, 
CFM56-7B27E, CFM56-7B27E/B1, CFM56-7B27E/B3, CFM56-7B26E/F, CFM56-
7B26E/B2F, CFM56-7B27E/F, and CFM56-7B27E/B1F engine models.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

[[Page 40518]]

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight failure of a 
fan blade on a CFM56-7B turbofan engine. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent fan blade failure, uncontained forward release of debris, 
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For engines, on the effective date of this AD, with more 
than 15,000 cycles-in-service (CIS) since the last engine shop 
visit, with any part number (P/N) fan blade installed, perform an 
ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the fan blades within 6 months after 
the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For engines, on the effective date of this AD, with 15,000 
CIS or less since the last engine shop visit and with fan blades, P/
N 340-001-022-0, 340-001-027-0, 340-001-029-0, 340-001-037-01, or 
340-001-039-0, installed, perform a USI of the fan blades within 18 
months after the effective date of this AD or at the next fan blade 
lubrication after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
first.
    (3) Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A (3)(a) 
through (g), of CFM Service Bulletin (SB) No. CFM56-7B 72-1019, 
Revision 1, dated June 13, 2017, to do the USI required by 
paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (4) If any fan blade fails the inspection required by paragraphs 
(f)(1) or (2) of this AD, replace with a part eligible for 
installation.

(g) Definition

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
removal of an engine when the subsequent engine maintenance 
performed prior to reinstallation of the engine entails:
    (i) A 360-degree separation of major mating engine flanges, or
    (ii) the removal of a disk, hub, or spool.
    (2) The following actions do not constitute an engine shop 
visit:
    (i) Replacement of an engine module on-wing,
    (ii) Replacement of a gearbox, or
    (iii) Accomplishment of a top/bottom case.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the USI required by paragraph (f) of 
this AD, if you performed an eddy current inspection of the affected 
fan blades before the effective date of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness 
Division, 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].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kasra Sharifi, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness 
Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7773; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) CFM SB No. CFM56-7B 72-1019, Revision 1, dated June 13, 
2017, and CFM CFM56-7B Engine Shop Manual (ESM), Revision 55, dated 
January 15, 2017 can be obtained from CFM using the contact 
information in paragraph (j)(3) of this proposed AD.
    (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact CFM International Inc., Aviation Operations Center, 1 
Neumann Way, M/D Room 285, Cincinnati, OH 45125; phone: 877-432-
3272; fax: 877-432-3329; email: [email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 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 August 18, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-17828 Filed 8-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P