[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45333-45335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19282]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0777; Product Identifier 2018-NE-28-AD; Amendment 
39-19366; AD 2018-17-12]
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 all 
General Electric Company (GE) GE90-76B, GE90-77B, GE90-85B, GE90-90B, 
and GE90-94B turbofan engines with full authority digital engine 
control (FADEC) software, version 9.3.2.4 or earlier, installed. This 
AD requires upgrading the FADEC software to a software version eligible 
for installation. This AD was prompted by an ice-crystal icing (ICI) 
event that caused damage to both engines, a single engine stall, and 
subsequent engine shutdown. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 24, 2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 22, 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 01803. 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-2018-0777.

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-
0777; 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: John Frost, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7756; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report of a commanded in-flight shutdown and an air 
turn back shortly after takeoff. After further investigation, the 
operator found high-pressure compressor (HPC) damage, which was the 
result of an earlier ICI event. After the ICI event and subsequent 
progressive HPC damage, engine performance decreased and an engine 
stall occurred. As a result, GE improved the FADEC software to provide 
ICI event detection and to provide an alternate variable bypass valve 
(VBV) schedule that opens the VBV doors to extract ice crystals from 
the core flowpath and reduce accretion when ICI is detected. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the HPC, 
failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the 
airplane. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE GE90 Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0146, dated May 2, 
2018. The SB introduces new FADEC software and describes procedures for 
upgrading the FADEC software.

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

[[Page 45334]]

develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires upgrading the FADEC software to a software version 
eligible for installation.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    GE GE90 SB 73-0146, dated May 2, 2018, recommends that you load the 
new FADEC software as soon as possible, but no later than six months 
after the original issue date of the SB. This AD requires compliance 
within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. We expect this 
difference to be minimal because the GE SB was issued earlier than this 
AD.

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 engine failure due to an ICI event is more likely to occur 
during the current convective weather season and such failure could 
result in failure of one or more engines and loss of the airplane. 
Because of this, 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 to ensure the unsafe condition is fixed during the 
convective weather season. 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-
0777 and Product Identifier 2018-NE-28-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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 57 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrade the FADEC software............  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $4,845
                                         hour = $85.
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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

    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):

2018-17-12 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-19366; Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0777; Product Identifier 2018-NE-28-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 24, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 45335]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all GE GE90-76B, GE90-77B, GE90-85B, GE90-
90B, and GE90-94B turbofan engines with full authority digital 
engine control (FADEC) software, version 9.3.2.4 or earlier, 
installed.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an ice-crystal icing event that caused 
damage to both engines, a single engine stall, and subsequent engine 
shutdown. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the high-
pressure compressor (HPC). The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of the HPC, failure of one or more engines, 
loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, remove 
FADEC software, version 9.3.2.4 or earlier, from the engine.
    (2) Install a FADEC software version eligible for installation.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, do not 
operate any engine with FADEC software, version 9.3.2.4 or earlier, 
installed.

(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 John Frost, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7756; fax: 781-238-7199; 
email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 30, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19282 Filed 9-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P