[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 26, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66090-66093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27920]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-1039; Product Identifier 2018-NE-14-AD; Amendment
39-19531; AD 2018-26-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; CFM International S.A. Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-18-01 for
all CFM International S.A. (CFM) Model CFM56-7B turbofan engines. AD
2018-18-01 required initial and repetitive inspections of certain fan
blades and, if they fail the inspection, their replacement with parts
eligible for installation. This AD requires the same initial and
repetitive inspections but revises the compliance time for the initial
inspections and revises the installation prohibition based on the
updated compliance time. This AD was prompted by further analysis by
the manufacturer that indicated a need to reduce the initial fan blade
inspection interval based on an ongoing root cause investigation of an
April 2018 engine failure. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 10, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 10,
2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of May 14,
2018 (83 FR 19176, May 2, 2018).
We must receive any comments on this AD by February 11, 2019.
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 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, 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-2018-1039.
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-
1039; 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 Docket Operations (phone:
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McGuire, Aerospace
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803;
phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued AD 2018-18-01, Amendment 39-19380 (83 FR 49272, October
1, 2018), (``AD 2018-18-01''), for all CFM model CFM56-7B turbofan
engines. AD 2018-18-01 required initial and repetitive ultrasonic
inspections (USI) or eddy current inspection (ECI) of certain fan
blades and, if they fail the inspection, their replacement with parts
eligible for installation. AD 2018-18-01 resulted from analysis by the
manufacturer that indicated a need to reduce the repetitive fan blade
inspection interval based on ongoing root cause investigation of an
April 2018 engine failure. The April 2018 engine failure was the result
of a fractured fan blade leading to the engine inlet cowl
disintegrating and debris penetrating the fuselage, causing a loss of
pressurization and prompting an emergency descent. One passenger
fatality occurred as a result. We issued AD 2018-18-01 to reduce the
repetitive inspection interval from 3,000 cycles to 1,600 cycles.
Actions Since AD 2018-18-01 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2018-18-01, CFM gained a better understanding of
the fan blade failures based on the inspections and further analysis of
the detected cracks and the April 2018 event. As a result, CFM has
published CFM International Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033,
Revision 3, dated November 6, 2018, to reduce the initial inspection
requirement from 20,000 cycles since new (CSN) to 17,000 CSN. We are
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed CFM International SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033, Revision 3,
dated November 6, 2018, and Subtask 72-21-01-220-091, of Task 72-21-01-
200-001, from the CFM56-7B Engine Shop Manual (ESM), Revision 57, dated
January 15, 2018. CFM International SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033, Revision
3, describes procedures for performing a USI of the affected fan
blades. Subtask 72-21-01-220-091, of Task 72-21-01-200-001, from the
CFM56-7B ESM, describes procedures for performing an ECI 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
We also reviewed CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1019, dated March 24, 2017;
CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1019, Revision 1, dated June 13, 2017; CFM SB
CFM56-7B S/B 72-1024, dated July 26, 2017; CFM International SB CFM56-
7B S/B 72-1033, Revision 2, dated July 27, 2018; CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B
72-1033, Revision 1, dated May 9, 2018; CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033,
dated April 20, 2018; and General Electric Field Support Technology
(FST) Procedure 2370, dated December 9, 2016. These SBs and the FST
provide information on performing the USI.
[[Page 66091]]
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 initial and repetitive USI or ECI of certain fan
blades and, if they fail the inspection, their replacement with parts
eligible for installation.
Interim Action
We consider this AD interim action. An investigation to determine
the cause of the failure is ongoing, and we may consider additional
rulemaking if final action is identified.
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.
Due to the reduction in the initial inspection interval, some fan
blades have reached or exceeded the revised initial inspection
threshold and will require inspection within 1,000 cycles after the
effective date of this AD. Because of this, the compliance time for the
required action is shorter than the time necessary for the public to
comment and for the FAA to issue the final rule to ensure the unsafe
condition is addressed. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition,
for the reasons 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 we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments before it becomes effective. 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-2018-1039 and product identifier
2018-NE-14-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 3,716 engines installed on 1,858
airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Inspection Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect engine fan blade.............. 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $631,720
hour = $170.
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We estimate the following costs to complete any necessary
replacement of a single fan blade that would be required based on the
results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of
engines that might need fan blades to be replaced.
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace fan blade............................. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $51,400 $51,485
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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
[[Page 66092]]
(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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2018-18-01, Amendment 39-19380 (83 FR 49272, October 1, 2018) and
adding the following new AD:
2018-26-01 CFM International S.A.: Amendment 39-19531; Docket No.
FAA-2018-1039; Product Identifier 2018-NE-14-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective January 10, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2018-18-01, Amendment 39-19380 (83 FR 49272,
October 1, 2018).
(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, CFM56-7B24E, CFM56-7B24E/
B1, CFM56-7B26E, CFM56-7B26E/B1, CFM56-7B26E/B2, CFM56-7B27AE,
CFM56-7B27E, CFM56-7B27E/B1, CFM56-7B27E/B3, CFM56-7B26E/F, CFM56-
7B26E/B2F, CFM56-7B27E/F, and CFM56-7B27E/B1F turbofan engine
models.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by further analysis by the manufacturer
that indicated a need to reduce the initial fan blade inspection
requirement based on its ongoing root cause investigation of an
April 2018 engine failure that resulted in one fatality. We are
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fan blade. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the fan
blade, the engine inlet cowl disintegrating and debris penetrating
the fuselage, causing a loss of pressurization, and prompting an
emergency descent.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Perform an ultrasonic inspection (USI) or eddy current
inspection (ECI) of the concave and convex sides of the fan blade
dovetail as follows:
(i) For a fan blade with less than or equal to 16,000 cycles
since new (CSN), inspect prior to accumulating 17,000 CSN.
(ii) For a fan blade with more than 16,000 and less than 20,000
CSN, inspect within 1,000 cycles but no later than 20,000 CSN.
(iii) For a fan blade with 20,000 or more CSN, inspect before
further flight.
(iv) Thereafter, repeat this inspection no later than 1,600
cycles since the last inspection, or within 450 cycles after October
16, 2018, the effective date of AD 2018-18-01, whichever occurs
later.
(v) Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(3)(a)
through (i), of CFM International Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-7B S/B
72-1033, Revision 3, dated November 6, 2018, to perform a USI or use
the instructions in subtask 72-21-01-220-091, of task 72-21-01-200-
001, from CFM CFM56-7B Engine Shop Manual, Revision 57, dated
January 15, 2018, to perform an ECI.
(2) If any unserviceable indication, as specified in the
applicable service information in paragraph (g)(1)(v) of this AD, is
found during the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
replace the fan blade before further flight with a part eligible for
installation.
(h) Installation Prohibition
Do not install any replacement fan blade unless it meets one of
the following criteria:
(1) The replacement fan blade has fewer than 17,000 CSN, or;
(2) The replacement fan blade has been inspected, per paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD, within the last 1,600 cycles before installation.
(i) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, a ``replacement fan blade'' is a fan
blade that is being installed into an engine from which it was not
previously removed. Removing and reinstalling a fan blade for the
purpose of relubrication is not subject to the Installation
Prohibition of this AD.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the actions that are required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, if you performed those actions before the
effective date of this AD using CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1019, dated
March 24, 2017; CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1019, Revision 1, dated June
13, 2017; CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-1024, dated July 26, 2017; CFM SB
CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033 dated April 20, 2018; CFM SB CFM56-7B S/B 72-
1033, Revision 1, dated May 9, 2018; or CFM International SB CFM56-
7B S/B 72-1033, Revision 2, dated July 27, 2018; or performed an ECI
using the instructions in task 72-21-01-200-001, subtask 72-21-01-
220-091 of CFM56-7B Engine Shop Manual, earlier than Revision 57,
dated January 15, 2018.
(k) 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 (l) 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.
(3) For service information that contains steps that are labeled
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs
(k)(3)(i) and (k)(3)(ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps,
including substeps and identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition.
(4) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2018-10-11 (83 FR 22836,
May 17, 2018) and AD 2018-18-01 (83 FR 49272, October 1, 2018) are
approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Christopher McGuire,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(m) 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.
[[Page 66093]]
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
January 10, 2019.
(i) CFM International (CFM) Service Bulletin CFM56-7B S/B 72-
1033, Revision 3, dated November 6, 2018.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on
May 14, 2018 (83 FR 19176, May 2, 2018).
(i) Subtask 72-21-01-220-091, of Task 72-21-01-200-001, from the
CFM CFM56-7B Engine Shop Manual, Revision 57, dated January 15,
2018.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For CFM service information identified in this 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].
(6) 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.
(7) 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 December 18, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-27920 Filed 12-21-18; 8:45 am]
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