[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36724-36727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16309]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0630; Product Identifier 2018-NE-25-AD; Amendment 
39-19347; AD 2018-16-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B54, -1B58, -1B64, -1B67, -1B70, -
1B54/P1, -1B58/P1, -1B64/P1, -1B67/

[[Page 36725]]

P1, -1B70/P1, -1B54/P2, -1B58/P2, -1B64/P2, -1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, -1B70C/
P1, -1B70/72/P1, -1B70/75/P1, -1B74/75/P1, -1B75/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B70/
72/P2, -1B70/75/P2, -1B74/75/P2, -1B75/P2, -1B76/P2, -1B76A/P2, -1B78/
P2, -2B67, -2B67B, and -2B67/P turbofan engines. This AD requires 
removal of affected high-pressure turbine (HPT) stator cases (HPT 
cases) from service and their replacement with a part eligible for 
installation. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a quality escape 
at a manufacturing facility. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 15, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 15, 
2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 14, 2018.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: 
[email protected]. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0630.

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-2018-
0630; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations (phone: 
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Herman Mak, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We learned from GE of a quality escape at one of their suppliers. 
This supplier was performing welds on newly-manufactured components to 
correct errors introduced in their manufacturing process. These welds 
were not reviewed or approved by either GE or the FAA. GE's review of 
manufacturing records determined that these parts include HPT cases 
installed on GEnx engines. These HPT cases are life limited. The 
unapproved repairs reduced the material capability of these cases which 
requires their removal prior to reaching their published Airworthiness 
Limitation Section life limit. This condition, if not addressed, could 
result in failure of the HPT case, engine fire, and damage to the 
airplane. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) GEnx-1B S/B 72-0424, Revision 
03, dated June 29, 2018 and GEnx-2B S/B 72-0360, Revision 03, dated 
June 29, 2018. The SBs describe procedures for removing the affected 
HPT cases from the engine. GE SB GEnx-1B S/B 72-0424 is effective for 
GEnx-1B engines with the serial numbers of HPT cases listed in that SB. 
GE SB GEnx-2B S/B 72-0360 is effective for GEnx-2B engines with the 
serial numbers of HPT cases listed in that SB. 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

    We reviewed Inspection 001, Subtask 72-52-01-230-001 of GEnx-1B 
Cleaning, Inspection, and Repair Manual GEK112862, Rev 27, dated April 
30, 2018, and GEnx-2B Cleaning, Inspection, and Repair Manual 
GEK114120, Rev 20, dated April 30, 2018. These manuals provide guidance 
for conducting Class A fluorescent penetrant inspections.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removal of the affected HPT cases from service and 
their replacement with a part eligible for installation.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the compliance time for the required action is shorter than the 
time necessary for the public to comment and for us to publish the 
final rule. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity 
for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason 
stated above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2018-
0630 and Product Identifier 2018-NE-25-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
final rule 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 final rule.

[[Page 36726]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 13 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of HPT case...........  0 work-hours x $85 per           $362,400         $362,400       $4,711,200
                                     hour = $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.
    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

    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, 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):

2018-16-07 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-19347; Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0630; Product Identifier 2018-NE-25-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 15, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B54, -
1B58, -1B64, -1B67, -1B70, -1B54/P1, -1B58/P1, -1B64/P1, -1B67/P1, -
1B70/P1, -1B54/P2, -1B58/P2, -1B64/P2, -1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, -1B70C/
P1, -1B70/72/P1, -1B70/75/P1, -1B74/75/P1, -1B75/P1, -1B70C/P2, -
1B70/72/P2, -1B70/75/P2, -1B74/75/P2, -1B75/P2, -1B76/P2, -1B76A/P2, 
-1B78/P2, -2B67, -2B67B, and -2B67/P turbofan engines with a high-
pressure turbine (HPT) stator case (HPT case), part number (P/N) 
2302M90G04 installed, and with any serial number (S/N) listed in 
Table 1, 2, or 3, in the Planning Information section of GE Service 
Bulletin (SB) GEnx-2B S/B 72-0360, Revision 03, dated June 29, 2018, 
or GEnx-1B S/B 72-0424, Revision 03, dated June 29, 2018, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of a quality escape at a 
manufacturing facility involving unapproved welds on HPT cases. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT case. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in engine fire and damage 
to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For HPT cases listed in Planning Information, Table 1 or 2, 
of GE SBs GEnx-2B S/B 72-0360, Revision 03, dated June 29, 2018 and 
GEnx-1B S/B 72-0424, Revision 03, dated June 29, 2018, determine the 
lesser of the following: Cycles since new (CSN) or cycles since 
Class A fluorescent penetrant inspection (CSFPI) of the entire HPT 
case.
    (2) Using the determination made in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, 
remove from service the HPT case after the effective date of this AD 
as specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. Replace the 
removed HPT case with a part eligible for installation.

[[Page 36727]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JY18.000

    (3) Remove from service HPT cases listed in Planning 
Information, Table 3, of GE SBs GEnx-2B S/B 72-0360, Revision 03, 
dated June 29, 2018 or GEnx-1B S/B 72-0424, Revision 03, dated June 
29, 2018, prior to exceeding 10 cycles after the effective date of 
this AD or exceeding the CSN limits listed in Table 3, whichever 
comes later. Replace the removed HPT case with a part eligible for 
installation.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    (1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
affected HPT case onto any engine.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, HPT cases listed in 
Planning Information, Table 3, in GE SB GEnx-2B S/B 72-0360, 
Revision 03, dated June 29, 2018 or GEnx-1B S/B 72-0424, Revision 
03, dated June 29, 2018, and any higher level assemblies with these 
parts installed, may not be removed from a GEnx-2B engine and 
installed on a GEnx-1B engine or removed from a GEnx-1B engine and 
installed on a GEnx-2B engine.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Herman Mak, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(k) 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) General Electric Company (GE) Service Bulletin (SB) GEnx-2B 
S/B 72-0360, Revision 03, dated June 29, 2018.
    (ii) GE SB GEnx-1B S/B 72-0424, Revision 03, dated June 29, 
2018.
    (3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, 
Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: 
[email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7759.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 July 25, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16309 Filed 7-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P