[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 191 (Thursday, October 1, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61811-61813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21484]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0443; Project Identifier AD-2020-00178-E; 
Amendment 39-21268; AD 2020-20-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -1B67, -
1B67/P1, -1B67P2, -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 AD was prompted by reports of combustor 
case burn-through. This AD requires installation of electronic engine 
control (EEC) software, version B205 or later. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 5, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; 
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. It is also 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0443.

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-
0443; 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, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

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:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all GE GEnx-1B64, -
1B64/P1, -1B64/P2, -1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67P2, -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. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on May 6, 2020 (85 FR 26891). The NPRM was 
prompted by reports of combustor case burn-through. The NPRM proposed 
to require installation of EEC software, version B205 or later. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Supersede Existing AD

    American Airlines (AAL) suggested that the FAA change this AD to 
supersede docket number FAA-2019-0683, project identifier 2015-NE-02-AD 
(84 FR 63820, November 19, 2019) (``NPRM 2015-NE-02-AD''). NPRM 2015-
NE-02-AD proposed removing EEC software version B195 and earlier from 
GEnx-1B engines, along with an equivalent EEC software for GEnx-2B 
engines to improve safeguards against ice crystal icing. EEC software 
version B205 incorporates all required changes that satisfy the intent 
of NPRM 2015-NE-02.
    The FAA disagrees. The unsafe condition addressed by this AD was 
prompted by reports of combustor case burn-through. In contrast, the 
final rule to NPRM 2015-NE-02-AD, AD 2020-13-04, Amendment 39-21149 (85 
FR 37000, June 19, 2020) (``AD 2020-13-04'') was prompted by power loss 
in ice crystal icing conditions. Although the ice crystal icing 
required actions of AD 2020-13-04 are achieved through the update to 
EEC software version B205, the unsafe conditions that prompted each AD 
are different, and the corrective actions are independent. Further, AD 
2020-13-04 affects more GEnx model turbofan engines than this AD.

[[Page 61812]]

Request To Add Terminating Action

    AAL requested the FAA add that compliance with this AD is a 
terminating action to paragraphs (g) and (i) of AD 2013-24-01, 
Amendment 39-17675 (78 FR 70851, November 27, 2013) (``AD 2013-24-
01''), similar to the terminating action in AD 2017-09-06, Amendment 
39-18868 (82 FR 21111, May 5, 2017) (``2017-09-06''). AAL noted that 
NPRM 2015-NE-02-AD (AD 2020-13-04) indicated that it would supersede AD 
2017-09-06, but did not provide a terminating action to paragraphs (g) 
and (i) of AD 2013-24-01, as was done in AD 2017-09-06. AAL commented 
that EEC software version B205 incorporated the software changes to 
address the unsafe ice crystal icing condition so compliance with 
paragraphs (g) and (i) of AD 2013-24-01 should no longer be required.
    The FAA disagrees. As indicated in a comment response to NPRM 2015-
NE-02-AD, the FAA disagreed with adding a terminating action in AD 
2020-13-04 because the FAA's approval of alternative methods of 
compliance to AD 2013-24-01 made a terminating action unnecessary in 
AD-2020-13-04. In this AD, the FAA finds that adding a terminating 
action is not justified as this AD does not address the unsafe ice 
crystal icing condition of AD 2020-13-04, AD 2017-09-06, and AD 2013-
24-01. Therefore, no change to this AD is needed.

Request To Add Boeing Service Information

    Qantas Airways Limited (Qantas) commented that GE GEnx-1B Service 
Bulletin (SB) 73-0085 R00, dated December 23, 2019, describes 
procedures for installing the EEC software version B205. Qantas further 
noted that procedures for on-wing installation of EEC software version 
B205 is described in Boeing B787-81205 SB-730057-00, Issue 001, dated 
December 23, 2019; Boeing B787-81205 SB-730057-00, Issue 002, dated 
February 28, 2020; or later FAA approved revisions. The FAA interprets 
Qantas' comment as a request to add Boeing B787-81205 SB-730057-00, 
Issue 001, dated December 23, 2019, and Issue 002, dated February 28, 
2020; and later FAA approved revisions, to the Related Service 
Information section of this AD.
    The FAA disagrees with adding the Boeing service information to 
this AD as Related Service Information as that service information is 
not necessary to satisfy the requirements of this AD. This AD requires 
the installation of the EEC software version B205 or later without 
imposing an installation method. The EEC software can be installed 
either at the engine-level or on-wing at the aircraft-level using FAA-
approved procedures.

Request To Clarify Applicability

    United Airlines (UAL) requested the FAA to clarify if EEC software 
version B205 or later must be installed on spare EECs or only on 
engines installed on aircraft, prior to operation.
    An operator of a product that does not meet the requirements of an 
applicable airworthiness directive is in violation of 14 CFR 39.7. The 
intent of this AD is to prevent operation of any affected engine 
installed on an aircraft with EEC software, version B200 or earlier. 
The requirements of this AD do not apply to spare engines and spare 
EECs, as they cannot be operated unless installed on an aircraft. No 
change to this AD is needed.

Support for the AD

    The Boeing Company and the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International, expressed support for the AD as written. AAL supports 
the intent of the AD.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0085 R00, dated December 23, 
2019. The SB describes procedures for installing the EEC software 
version B205.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 176 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
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Install EEC software version B205 or  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85          $14,960
 later.                                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.
    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

    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) 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.

[[Page 61813]]

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):

2020-20-12 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21268; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0443; Project Identifier AD-2020-00178-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 5, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, 
-1B64/P2, -1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67P2, -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 7240, Turbine Engine 
Combustion Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by two reports of combustor case burn-
through. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel 
nozzle. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
damage to the combustor case, engine fire, and damage to the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, install 
electronic engine control (EEC) software that is eligible for 
installation.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, EEC software that is eligible for 
installation is EEC software that is version B205 or later.

(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 Mehdi Lamnyi, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7743; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on September 24, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-21484 Filed 9-30-20; 8:45 am]
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