[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
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USI................................ 2 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $170 $37,400
= $170.
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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]
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