[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 139 (Monday, July 20, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43752-43754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15381]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0653; Project Identifier AD-2020-00631-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -
1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/75/P1, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70/P1, -
1B70/P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, -1B76/P2, and 
-1B76A/P2 model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a 
report of a crack in the outer fuel manifold causing fuel leakage. This 
proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual inspections of 
the cushioned loop clamp (``p-clamp'') and, depending on the results of 
the inspection, a spot fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the 
outer fuel manifold. Depending on the results of the FPI, this proposed 
AD would require replacement of the outer fuel manifold. This proposed 
AD would also require initial and repetitive replacements of the p-
clamp. 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 September 
3, 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-
0653; 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: Mehdi Lamnyi, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7743; 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0653; 
Project Identifier AD-2020-00631-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 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 NPRM.

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 Mehdi Lamnyi, 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.

Discussion

    The FAA received a report that an aircraft with GE GEnx-1B model 
engines installed experienced a fuel imbalance in July 2018. Upon 
landing, the operator identified a crack in the outer fuel manifold 
during a fuel system inspection. The root cause of this cracking has 
been identified as a failure of a p-clamp that provides bracket support 
to the outer fuel manifold. Failure of the p-clamp increased high-cycle 
fatigue stresses at a welded joint of the outer fuel manifold resulting 
in the crack. This condition, if not addressed, could result in engine 
fire and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0080 R01, 
dated August 29, 2019. The SB describes procedures for replacing the p-
clamp located at the signal fuel tube hose, significant item number 
34200, and instructions for removing the signal fuel tube hose when a 
p-clamp is found damaged or missing. This service

[[Page 43753]]

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 require initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of the p-clamp and, depending on the results of the 
inspection, a FPI of the outer fuel manifold. Depending on the results 
of the FPI, this proposed AD would require replacement of the outer 
fuel manifold. This proposed AD would also require initial and 
repetitive replacements of the p-clamp.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this proposed AD interim action. The manufacturer 
is still reviewing this unsafe condition and may develop a terminating 
action.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 190 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
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Visually inspect the p-clamp..........  0.25 work-hours x $85                 $0          $21.25       $4,037.50
                                         per hour = $21.25.
Replace the p-clamp...................  0.25 work-hours x $85 =              102          123.25       23,417.50
                                         $21.25.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary FPIs and 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed visual inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need this FPI or replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FPI the outer fuel manifold...................  2.5 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $0         $212.50
                                                 $212.50.
Replace the outer fuel manifold...............  250 work-hours x $85 per hour =           18,400          39,650
                                                 $21,250.
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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 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 this 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:

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):

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2020-0653; Project 
Identifier AD-2020-00631-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by September 3, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64, 
-1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/75/P1, -
1B70/75/P2, -1B70/P1, -1B70/P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -
1B74/75/P2, -1B76/P2, and -1B76A/P2 model turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7310, Engine Fuel 
Distribution.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the outer fuel 
manifold causing fuel leakage. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the outer fuel manifold. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in engine fire and damage to the airplane.

[[Page 43754]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 500 flight cycles (FCs) after the effective date of 
this AD, perform a visual inspection of the cushioned loop clamp 
(``p-clamp'') to verify the p-clamp is undamaged and installed.
    (i) Thereafter, perform the visual inspection required by (g)(1) 
of this AD at intervals not to exceed 500 FCs since the last 
inspection.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) If, during any visual inspection required by paragraphs 
(g)(1) or (g)(1)(i) of this AD, the p-clamp is outside of the limits 
in paragraph 3.B.(4) of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0080 
R01, dated August 29, 2019, or if the p-clamp is missing, perform a 
spot fluorescent penetrant inspection of the outer fuel manifold, 
part number (P/N) 2403M46G01 significant item number (SIN) 34302, 
using Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(4)(b), of GE GEnx-
1B SB 73-0080 R01, dated August 29, 2019.
    (i) If a crack or a sign of fuel leakage is found, before 
further flight, remove the outer fuel manifold, P/N 2403M46G01 SIN 
34302, from service and replace with a part eligible for 
installation.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) Within 500 FCs after the effective date of this AD, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 FCs from the last p-clamp 
replacement, replace the p-clamp with a new p-clamp. Complete this 
required action after performing the visual inspections required by 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(1)(i) of this AD.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a p-clamp is a clamp, P/N J1432P12 
with SIN 34282, located at the signal fuel tube hose, SIN 34200, as 
shown in Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3, Figure 1, ``Outer 
Fuel Manifold and Clamp Location,'' of GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0080 R01, 
dated August 29, 2019.

(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)(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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Mehdi Lamnyi, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7743; 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 July 13, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-15381 Filed 7-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P