[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 110 (Monday, June 8, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35024-35026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12157]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0557; Project Identifier AD-2020-00541-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2018-15-04, which applies to certain General Electric Company (GE) CF6-
80A, CF6-80A1, CF6-80A2, CF6-80A3, CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, 
CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6-80C2A8, CF6-80C2B1, CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-
80C2B2, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6, 
CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, CF6-80C2D1F, CF6-80C2L1F, and 
CF6-80C2K1F model turbofan engines. AD 2018-15-04 requires ultrasonic 
inspection (UI) of high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 and stage 2 
disks. Since we issued AD 2018-15-04, GE determined the need to expand 
the population of affected disks. This proposed AD would retain the 
required inspections while expanding the population of affected disks. 
The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 23, 
2020.

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 https://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 General 
Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, United States; 
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: [email protected]; website: 
www.ge.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0557; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Stevenson, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0557; 
Project Identifier AD-2020-00541-E'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is 
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and 
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you 
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page 
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat 
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will 
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing 
CBI should be sent to Scott Stevenson, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, 
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that 
the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be 
placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

[[Page 35025]]

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2018-15-04, Amendment 39-19336 (83 FR 43739, 
August 28, 2018), (``AD 2018-15-04''), for certain GE CF6-80A, CF6-
80A1, CF6-80A2, CF6-80A3, CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, CF6-
80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6-80C2A8, CF6-80C2B1, CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2, 
CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6, CF6-
80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, CF6-80C2D1F, CF6-80C2L1F, and CF6-
80C2K1F model turbofan engines. AD 2018-15-04 requires a UI of HPT 
stage 1 and 2 disks. AD 2018-15-04 resulted from an uncontained failure 
of a HPT stage 2 disk that resulted in a fire. The FAA issued AD 2018-
15-04 to prevent failure of the HPT stage 1 and the HPT stage 2 disks, 
uncontained HPT disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

Actions Since AD 2018-15-04 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2018-15-04, GE determined that additional 
serial-numbered HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks should be included in the 
population of affected disks. GE therefore issued revisions to its 
service information to include the additional affected disks.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1562 R04, 
dated May 29, 2019. The SB describes procedures for UI of CF6-80C2 
turbofan engine HPT stage 1 and 2 disks. The FAA also reviewed GE CF6-
80A SB 72-0869 R02, dated May 29, 2019. The SB describes procedures for 
UI of CF6-80A turbofan engine HPT stage 2 disks. 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

    The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency 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 retain all the requirements of AD 2018-15-
04. This proposed AD would expand the population of affected disks to 
include additional serial-numbered HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 1,512 engines 
installed on airplanes, of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost           product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultrasonic Inspection of HPT disk.  10 work-hours x $85    $0...................            $850      $1,285,200
                                     per hour = $850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace CF6-80C2 HPT Stage 1 disk..........  0.25 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $799,700     $799,721.25
                                              $21.25.
Replace CF6-80C2 HPT Stage 2 disk..........  0.25 work-hours x $85 per hour =            364,600      364,621.25
                                              $21.25.
Replace CF6-80A HPT Stage 2 disk...........  0.25 work-hours x $85 per hour =            344,000      344,021.25
                                              $21.25.
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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.
    The FAA is 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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA has 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 that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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:

[[Page 35026]]

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 
2018-15-04, Amendment 39-19336 (83 FR 43739, August 28, 2018), and 
adding the following new AD:

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2020-0557; Project 
Identifier AD-2020-00541-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 23, 
2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-15-04, Amendment 39-19336 (83 FR 43739, 
August 28, 2018).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80A, CF6-
80A1, CF6-80A2, CF6-80A3, CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, CF6-
80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6-80C2A8, CF6-80C2B1, CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-
80C2B2, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-
80C2B6, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, CF6-80C2D1F, CF6-
80C2L1F, and CF6-80C2K1F model turbofan engines with high-pressure 
turbine (HPT) disks with serial numbers listed in Tables 1 and 2 of 
Appendix A in GE CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1562 R04, dated 
May 29, 2019; and Table 1 of Appendix A in GE CF6-80A SB 72-0869 
R02, dated May 29, 2019.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an uncontained failure of an HPT stage 2 
disk. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT stage 
1 disk (CF6-80C2 engines) and the HPT stage 2 disk (CF6-80C2 and 
CF6-80A engines). The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in an uncontained HPT disk release, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) After the effective date of this AD, perform an ultrasonic 
inspection for cracks in HPT stage 1 and 2 disks on the CF6-80C2 
turbofan engine at each piece-part exposure using the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(2), in GE CF6-80C2 SB 72-1562 R04, 
dated May 29, 2019.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, perform an ultrasonic 
inspection for cracks in HPT stage 2 disks on the CF6-80A turbofan 
engine at each piece-part exposure using the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(2), in GE CF6-80A SB 72-0869 R02, dated 
May 29, 2019.
    (3) If any disk fails the inspection required by paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (2) of this AD, replace the disk before further flight.

(h) Non-Required Actions

    The reporting requirements specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(2)(f), of CF6-80C2 SB 
72-1562 R04, dated May 29, 2019, are not required by this AD.

(i) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, ``piece-part exposure'' of the HPT 
stage 1 or stage 2 disk is separation of that HPT disk from its 
mating rotor parts within the HPT rotor module (thermal shield and 
HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disk, respectively).

(j) 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 (k)(1) 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Stevenson, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, 
United States; phone: (513) 552-3272; email: 
[email protected]; website: www.ge.com. You may view 
this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

    Issued on June 1, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-12157 Filed 6-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P