[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53974-53976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23468]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0898; Product Identifier 2018-NE-29-AD; Amendment
39-19456; AD 2018-20-22]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1, GE90-113B, and GE90-115B
turbofan engines with a certain case combustor assembly (combustion
case) installed. This AD requires removal of affected combustion 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 involving unapproved welds on combustion
cases. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 13, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 13,
2018.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 10, 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, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH
45215; telephone 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-
0898.
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-
0898; 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: Matthew Smith, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7735; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We learned from GE of a quality escape that one of their suppliers,
AECC Aero Science and Technology Co., Ltd., 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 combustion cases installed on GE GE90-100
turbofan engines. These combustion 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 combustion 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 GE90-100 Service Bulletin (SB) SB 72-0784 R00, dated
May 4, 2018; GE SB GE90-100 S/B 72-0788, Revision 4, dated July 30,
2018; and GE SB GE90-100 SB 72-0793 R00, dated August 10, 2018. The SBs
describe procedures for removing the affected combustion cases from the
engine. GE SB GE90-100 SB 72-0784 R00 is effective for GE90-100
turbofan engines with the combustion case S/Ns listed in that SB. GE SB
GE90-100 S/B 72-0788 is effective for GE90-100 turbofan engines with
the combustion case S/Ns listed in that SB. GE SB GE90-100 SB 72-0793
R00 is effective for GE90-100 turbofan engines with the combustion case
S/Ns 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.
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 combustion 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
[[Page 53975]]
and comment prior to the 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. Certain
combustion cases must be removed within 10 cycles after the effective
date of this AD to ensure they do not fail. 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-
0898 and Product Identifier 2018-NE-29-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 six 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 the combustion case.... 20 work-hours x $85 per $623,700 $625,400 $3,752,400
hour = $1,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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):
2018-20-22 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-19456; Docket No.
FAA-2018-0898; Product Identifier 2018-NE-29-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 13, 2018.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
(1) This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1,
GE90-113B, and GE90-115B turbofan engines with a case combustor
assembly (combustion case), part number (P/N) 2063M37G01 or
2082M19G04, installed with combustion case serial number (S/N)
listed in:
(i) Table 1 in paragraph 1.A., Planning Information, of GE GE90-
100 Service Bulletin (SB) S/B 72-0788, Revision 4, dated July 30,
2018; or
(ii) Paragraph 1.A, Table 1 of GE SB GE90-100 SB 72-0793 R00,
dated August 10, 2018; or
(iii) Paragraph 1.A., Planning Information, of GE SB GE90-100 SB
72-0784 R00, dated May 4, 2018.
(2) [Reserved.]
(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 combustion
cases. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the combustion
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.
[[Page 53976]]
(g) Required Actions
(1) For combustion cases listed in Planning Information, Table
1, paragraph 1.A. of GE SB GE90-100 S/B 72-0788, Revision 4, dated
July 30, 2018, except combustion cases with S/Ns FDBK3717, FDBK3872,
or FDBK4849, remove the affected cases from service, using the
cycles specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR26OC18.001
(2) For combustion cases with S/Ns listed in Table 3, paragraph
1.C., Planning Information, of GE SB GE90-100 S/B 72-0788, Revision
4, dated July 30, 2018, remove the affected cases from service
before exceeding the Maximum In-Service CSN listed in Table 3, of GE
SB GE90-100 S/B 72-0788, Revision 4, dated July 30, 2018.
(3) For combustion cases with S/Ns listed in paragraph 1.A.,
Planning Information, of GE SB GE90-100 SB 72-0784 R00, dated May 4,
2018, remove the affected cases from service within 10 cycles in
service from the effective date of this AD.
(4) For combustion cases with S/Ns listed in Table 1, paragraph
1.A., Planning Information, of GE SB GE90-100 SB 72-0793 R00, dated
August 10, 2018, remove the affected cases from service at the next
engine shop visit.
(5) Replace the removed combustion case with a part eligible for
installation before further flight.
(h) Definitions
(1) 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, except that the
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation of the engine, without subsequent engine maintenance,
does not constitute an engine shop visit.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is any combustion case not identified in paragraph
(c)(1) of this AD or a combustion case listed in this AD that has
been inspected and repaired by a method approved by the Manager, ECO
Branch, FAA.
(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 Matthew Smith,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7735; 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) GE90-100 Service Bulletin (SB)
SB 72-0784 R00, dated May 4, 2018.
(ii) GE SB GE90-100 S/B 72-0788, Revision 4, dated July 30,
2018.
(iii) GE SB GE90-100 SB 72-0793 R00, dated August 10, 2018.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
General Electric Company, GE Aviation, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH
45215; telephone 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
01803. 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 October 18, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-23468 Filed 10-25-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P