[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68451-68453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22145]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 191 / Wednesday, October 4, 2023 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 68451]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1988; Project Identifier AD-2023-00991-E; 
Amendment 39-22567; AD 2023-20-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain General Electric Company (GE) Model CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2F, 
CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B7F, and CF6-80C2K1F 
engines. This AD was prompted by an uncontained engine fire and 
consequent manufacturer investigation, which revealed that certain 
bearings were installed improperly. This AD requires inspection of the 
magnetic chip detector (MCD) probe tip for metallic particles and, if 
necessary, removal of the engine from service. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 19, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 19, 
2023.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 20, 2023.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1988; 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 street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     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].
     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 (817) 222-5110. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1988.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-
7241; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1988; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00991-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this final rule 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 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Sungmo 
Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des 
Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    On January 2, 2023, a Boeing Model B767-300 airplane, powered by GE 
Model CF6-80C2B6F engines experienced an uncontained engine fire during 
flight, resulting in a commanded in-flight shut-down and air turn-back. 
A consequent investigation by Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident 
Investigation Board revealed that the root cause of the event was the 
failure of the number 5R bearing due to misalignment of the 5R bearing 
outer ring in the 5R bearing housing.
    On August 4, 2023, during disassembly of a CF6-80C2 engine that 
failed its new engine (pre-delivery) acceptance test, the manufacturer 
discovered that the number 4R bearing was improperly installed. The 4R 
and 5R bearings utilize the same MCD and therefore inspection of the 
MCD is necessary to detect degradation to bearings and subsequent 
bearing failure. Failure of a bearing, if not addressed, could result 
in engine fire and damage to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[[Page 68452]]

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency has determined the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in 
other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin 72-1631, R00, dated 
August 25, 2023. This service information specifies procedures for 
inspection of the MCD for metallic particles. 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 ADDRESSES.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires inspection of the MCD for metallic particles that 
cover more than 10 percent of the probe tip and, if necessary, removal 
of the engine from service.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. This unsafe 
condition is still under investigation by the manufacturer and, 
depending on the results of that investigation, the FAA may consider 
further rulemaking action.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    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 forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule. 
The presence of improperly installed number 4R or 5R bearings, 
discovered after the January 2, 2023 engine fire and the August 4, 2023 
GE CF6-80C2 engine disassembly, could lead to bearing failure and 
consequent engine fire and damage to the airplane, which indicates an 
immediate safety of flight problem. Accordingly, notice and opportunity 
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 37 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect MCD for metallic particles..  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85           $3,145
                                       hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                Action                          Labor cost                   Parts cost               product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis for bearing material.........  1 work-hour x $85 per      $0...........................             $85
                                         hour = $85.
Reporting.............................  1 work-hour x $85 per      $0...........................              85
                                         hour = $85.
Replace engine........................  50 work-hour x $85 per     Unknown......................           4,250
                                         hour = $4,250.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the parts 
cost estimate for the on-condition engine replacement (removal from 
service) that is specified in this AD.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,

[[Page 68453]]

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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:

2023-20-08 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22567; Docket No. 
FAA-2023-1988; Project Identifier AD-2023-00991-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 19, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    General Electric Company (GE) Model CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2F, 
CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B7F, and CF6-80C2K1F 
engines, having engine serial numbers (S/Ns) 630-136 through 630-156 
inclusive, and engine S/Ns 707-510 through 707-645 inclusive, which 
have accumulated less than 400 engine cycles since new (CSN) on the 
effective date of this AD.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
(Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an uncontained engine fire and 
consequent manufacturer investigation which revealed that certain 
bearings were installed improperly. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent premature bearing failure. 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.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For affected engines, within 15 engine cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the magnetic chip detector (MCD) 
for metallic particles that cover more than 10 percent of the probe 
tip, and if necessary, do a material composition analysis as 
applicable, in accordance with paragraph 3., Accomplishment 
Instructions, of GE CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1631, R00, 
dated August 25, 2023 (GE SB 72-1631).
    (2) Thereafter, at the applicable times specified in paragraphs 
(g)(2)(i) through (iii), inspect the MCD for metallic particles that 
cover more than 10 percent of the probe tip, and if necessary, do a 
material composition analysis as applicable, in accordance with 
paragraph 3., Accomplishment Instructions, of GE SB 72-1631.
    (i) For engines that have accumulated less than 100 engine CSN, 
within 25 engine cycles after the previous inspection.
    (ii) For engines that have accumulated 100 or more and less than 
200 engine CSN, within 50 engine cycles after the previous 
inspection.
    (iii) For engines that have accumulated 200 or more and less 
than 399 engine CSN, within 100 engine cycles after the previous 
inspection.
    (3) If bearing material is detected during any inspection and 
analysis required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, before 
further flight, remove the engine from service.

(h) Reporting

    If a positive identification of bearing material was made during 
the inspection and analysis required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of 
this AD, submit a report within 10 days after the positive 
identification or within 10 days after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later. The report must include the MCD probe 
tip inspection results, material composition analysis, the engine 
serial number, and number of engine CSN. Submit the report to GE 
Aviation Fleet Support in accordance with paragraph 3., 
Accomplishment Instructions, of GE SB 72-1631.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued 
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (i) of this AD and email it 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) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone: (781) 238-7241; 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) CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin 72-
1631, R00, dated August 25, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact 
General Electric Company, 1 Newman Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, phone: 
(513) 552-3272; email: [email protected].
    (4) 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 (817) 222-5110.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 29, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22145 Filed 10-2-23; 8:45 am]
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