Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 Turbofan Engines, 49183-49186 [E7-16554]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 28, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or to the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at the NARA,
call (202) 741–6030, or go to https://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Effective Date
(g) This amendment becomes effective on
October 2, 2007.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August
14, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–16674 Filed 8–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–27687; Directorate
Identifier 2000–NE–42–AD; Amendment 39–
15179; AD 2007–07–07R1]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General
Electric Company CF34–1A, –3A, –3A1,
–3A2, –3B, and –3B1 Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an
existing airworthiness directive (AD) for
General Electric Company (GE) CF34–
1A, –3A, –3A1, –3A2, –3B, and –3B1
turbofan engines. That AD currently
requires a one-time inspection of certain
fan disks for electrical arc-out
indications, replacing fan disks with
electrical arc-out indications, and
reducing the life limit of certain fan
disks. This AD results from a comment
received on AD 2007–07–07, and from
recently issued revisions to the
applicable GE Alert Service Bulletins
(ASBs). We are issuing this AD to
prevent an uncontained fan disk failure
and airplane damage.
DATES: Effective September 12, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in the
regulations as of September 12, 2007.
We must receive any comments on
this AD by October 29, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to comment on this proposed
AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://
dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions
for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• 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.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
You can get the service information
identified in this AD from General
Electric Company via Lockheed Martin
49183
Technology Services, 10525 Chester
Road, Suite C, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215;
telephone (513) 672–8400; fax (513)
672–8422.
The Docket Operations office is
located at U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
Tara
Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
e-mail: tara.chaidez@faa.gov; telephone
(781) 238–7773; fax (781) 238–7199.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
On March
30, 2007, the FAA issued AD 2007–07–
07, Amendment 39–15012 (72 FR
16998, April 6, 2007). That AD requires
a onetime inspection of certain fan disks
for electrical arc-out indications,
replacing fan disks with electrical arcout indications, and reducing the life
limit of certain fan disks. That AD was
the result of a report that in January
2007, a CF34–3B1 turbofan engine
experienced an uncontained fan disk
failure during flight operation. That
condition, if not corrected, could result
in an uncontained fan disk failure and
airplane damage.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Actions Since AD 2007–07–07 Was
Issued
Since AD 2007–07–07 was issued, we
received a comment from Star Air A/S,
requesting clarification of the
compliance requirement in Table C,
item (ii). We published Table C as
follows:
TABLE C.—BUSINESS JET SHOP-LEVEL FAN DISK INSPECTION COMPLIANCE TIMES
For fan disks
Inspect
(i) That have more than 5,500 flight hours on the effective date of this
AD.
(ii) That have 5,500 or fewer flight hours on the effective date of this
AD.
The commenter asks if we intended to
state ‘‘within 5 calendar years after the
effective date of the AD’’, or, ‘‘within 5
Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
Within accumulating a total of 6,000 fan disk operating hours-sincenew, or 5 calendar years, whichever occurs first.
years-since-new.’’ We intended to state
‘‘within 5 years after the effective date
of the AD.’’ For clarification, we revised
Table C as follows:
TABLE C.—BUSINESS JET SHOP-LEVEL FAN DISK INSPECTION COMPLIANCE TIMES
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
For fan disks
Inspect
(i) That have not had a shop-level inspection and have more than
5,500 flight hours on the effective date of this AD.
(ii) That have not had a shop-level inspection and have 5,500 or fewer
flight hours on the effective date of this AD.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:51 Aug 27, 2007
Jkt 211001
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 4700
Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
Within accumulating a total of 6,000 fan disk operating hours-sincenew.
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\28AUR1.SGM
28AUR1
49184
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 28, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE C.—BUSINESS JET SHOP-LEVEL FAN DISK INSPECTION COMPLIANCE TIMES—Continued
For fan disks
Inspect
(iii) That have had a shop-level inspection and have 5,500 or fewer
flight hours on the effective date of this AD.
Within accumulating an additional 6,000 fan disk operating hours-sinceshop-level inspection, or within 5 calendar years from the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
Also, since that AD was issued, GE
issued revisions to the applicable ASBs
to make document reference updates
and accomplishment instruction
updates. We reference these ASB
revisions in this AD revision.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the
technical contents of GE ASB No. CF34–
BJ S/B 72–A0212, Revision 3, dated
June 27, 2007, ASB No. CF34–AL S/B
72–A0233, Revision 3, dated June 27,
2007, and ASB No. CF34–AL S/B 72–
A0231, Revision 1, dated June 27, 2007.
All three ASBs list the affected fan disks
by serial number and part number. The
first two ASBs describe procedures for
performing fluorescent penetrant
inspection (FPI), a Tactile and Enhanced
Visual (TEV) inspection, and eddy
current inspection (ECI) for cracks and
electrical arc-out defects. The third ASB
describes procedures for performing an
on-wing TEV inspection of fan disks for
electrical arc-out defects.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This AD
The unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop
on other GE CF34–1A, –3A, –3A1,
–3A2, –3B, and –3B1 turbofan engines
of the same type design. We are issuing
this AD to prevent an uncontained fan
disk failure and airplane damage. This
AD requires on-wing TEV inspection of
fan disks for electrical arc-out defects on
fan disks installed on regional jets
within 500 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD. This AD also
requires for all affected fan disks shoplevel FPI, enhanced TEV, and ECI
inspections for cracks and electrical arcout defects. This AD also carries
forward from AD 2006–05–04 the
reduced life limit for certain fan disks.
You must use the service information
described previously to perform the
actions required by this AD.
amendment effective in less than 30
days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and
was not preceded by notice and an
opportunity for public comment;
however, we invite you to send us any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this AD. Send your
comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘AD Docket No.
FAA–2007–27687; Directorate Identifier
2000–NE–42–AD’’ in the subject line of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of the rule that might suggest a
need to modify it.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the
search function of the DMS Web site,
anyone can find and read the comments
in any of our dockets, including the
name of the individual who sent the
comment (or signed the comment on
behalf of an association, business, labor
union, etc.). You may review the DOT’s
complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11,
2000 (65 FR 19477–78) or you may visit
https://dms.dot.gov.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
FAA’s Determination of the Effective
Date
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or in
person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations
office (telephone (800) 647–5527) is
provided in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
Since an unsafe condition exists that
requires the immediate adoption of this
AD, we have found that notice and
opportunity for public comment before
issuing this AD are impracticable, and
that good cause exists for making this
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,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:51 Aug 27, 2007
Jkt 211001
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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 the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs
to comply with this AD and placed it in
the AD Docket. You may get a copy of
this summary at the address listed
under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Under the authority delegated to me
by the Administrator, the Federal
Aviation Administration amends part 39
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) as follows:
E:\FR\FM\28AUR1.SGM
28AUR1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 28, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
not limited to, Bombardier Canadair airplane
models CL–600–2A12, –2B16, and –2B19.
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by
removing Amendment 39–15012 (72 FR
16998, April 6, 2007), and by adding a
new airworthiness directive,
Amendment 39–15179, to read as
follows:
I
2007–07–07R1 General Electric Company:
Amendment 39–15179. Docket No.
FAA–2007–27687; Directorate Identifier
2000–NE–42–AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD)
becomes effective September 12, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD revises AD 2007–07–07.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to General Electric
Company (GE) CF34–1A, –3A, –3A1, –3A2,
–3B, and –3B1 turbofan engines, with fan
disks part numbers (P/Ns) 5921T18G01,
5921T18G09, 5921T18G10, 5921T54G01,
5922T01G02, 5922T01G04, 5922T01G05,
6020T62G04, 6020T62G05, 6078T00G01,
6078T57G01, 6078T57G02, 6078T57G03,
6078T57G04, 6078T57G05, and 6078T57G06
installed. These engines are installed on, but
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a comment
received on AD 2007–07–07, and from GE
recently issuing revisions to the applicable
GE Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs). We are
issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained
fan disk failure and airplane damage.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Removal of Certain Fan Disks From Service
(f) For fan disks listed by P/N and serial
number (SN) in the following Table A that
have fewer than 8,000 cycles-since-new
(CSN) on the effective date of this AD,
replace fan disks before accumulating 8,000
CSN:
TABLE A.—FAN DISKS THAT REQUIRE
REMOVAL BASED ON BLENDED
CALLOUTS
Disk part No.
6078T57G02
6078T00G01
6078T57G02
5922T01G04
6078T57G04
6078T57G04
6078T57G04
6078T57G04
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
Disk serial No.
GAT6306N
GAT3860G
GAT1924L
GAT9599G
GEE05831
GEE06612
GEE06618
GEE06974
49185
TABLE A.—FAN DISKS THAT REQUIRE
REMOVAL BASED ON BLENDED
CALLOUTS—Continued
Disk part No.
6078T57G04
6078T57G05
6078T57G05
6078T57G05
6078T57G05
6078T57G04
6078T57G04
6078T57G04
6078T57G05
6078T57G05
6078T57G05
6078T57G05
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
Disk serial No.
GEE06980
GEE143FY
GEE1453G
GEE14452
GEE145NA
GEE08086
GEE09287
GEE09337
GEE12720
GEE14214
GEE142YT
GEE146GT
(g) For fan disks listed in Table A of this
AD that have 8,000 CSN or more on the
effective date of this AD, replace the disk
within 15 days after the effective date of this
AD.
Inspections of Fan Disks Installed in
Regional Jet Airplanes
(h) For CF34–3A1 and CF34–3B1 turbofan
engines installed on Bombardier Canadair
CL600–2B19 Regional Jet airplanes:
On-Wing Tactile and Enhanced Visual (TEV)
Inspection
(1) On-wing TEV inspect the fan disks
listed by P/N and SN in Table 1 of GE ASB
No. CF34–AL S/B 72–A0231, Revision 1,
dated June 27, 2007, using the compliance
times specified in the following Table B:
TABLE B.—REGIONAL JET ON-WING FAN DISK INSPECTION COMPLIANCE TIMES
For fan disks
Inspect
(i) That have not had a shop-level inspection ..........................................
(ii) That are marked with an asterisk in Table 1 of GE ASB No. CF34–
AL S/B 72–A0231, Revision 1, dated June 27, 2007.
Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Use paragraphs 3.A. through 3.A.(13) of
the Accomplishment Instructions of GE ASB
No. CF34–AL S/B 72–A0231, Revision 1,
dated June 27, 2007, to do the inspection.
ASB No. CF34–AL S/B 72–A0233, Revision
3, dated June 27, 2007, to do the inspections.
Inspection of Fan Disks Installed in Business
Jet Airplanes
Shop-Level Inspection Exemption
Shop-Level Inspection
(3) Within 5,000 flight hours or 5 calendar
years after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, fluorescent penetrant
inspect (FPI), TEV inspect, and eddy current
inspect (ECI) at shop-level for cracks and
electrical arc-out defects on the fan disks
listed by P/N and SN in Table 1 of GE ASB
No. CF34–AL S/B 72–A0233, Revision 3,
dated June 27, 2007.
(4) Use paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(6)
of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE
(5) Fan disks are exempt from the shoplevel inspection, that meet the following
criteria:
(i) Fan disks inspected before the effective
date of this AD per GE Engine Manual No.
SEI–756, Section 72–21–00 (FAN ROTOR
ASSEMBLY INSPECTION); and
(ii) That have accumulated no more than
100 cycles since that inspection; and
(iii) That pass the on-wing TEV inspection
in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.
(i) For CF34–1A, –3A, –3A1, –3A2, and
–3B turbofan engines installed on
Bombardier Canadair Models CL–600–2A12
(CL–601), CL–600–2B16 (CL–601–3A), (CL–
601–3R), and (CL–604) Business Jet
airplanes:
(1) FPI, TEV inspect, and ECI for cracks
and electrical arc-out defects at shop-level on
the fan disks listed by P/N and SN in Table
1 of GE ASB No. CF34–BJ S/B 72–A0212,
Revision 3, dated June 27, 2007, using the
compliance times specified in the following
Table C:
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
TABLE C.—BUSINESS JET SHOP-LEVEL FAN DISK INSPECTION COMPLIANCE TIMES
For fan disks
Inspect
(i) That have not had a shop-level inspection and have more than
5,500 flight hours on the effective date of this AD.
(ii) That have not had a shop-level inspection and have 5,500 or fewer
flight hours on the effective date of this AD.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:51 Aug 27, 2007
Jkt 211001
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 4700
Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
Within accumulating a total of 6,000 fan disk operating hours-sincenew.
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\28AUR1.SGM
28AUR1
49186
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 28, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE C.—BUSINESS JET SHOP-LEVEL FAN DISK INSPECTION COMPLIANCE TIMES—Continued
For fan disks
Inspect
(iii) That have had a shop-level inspection and have 5,500 or fewer
flight hours on the effective date of this AD.
Within accumulating an additional 6,000 fan disk operating hours-sinceshop-level inspection, or within 5 calendar years from the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(2) Use paragraphs 3.A. through 3.A.(10) of
the Accomplishment Instructions of GE ASB
No. CF34–BJ S/B 72–A0212, Revision 3,
dated June 27, 2007, to do the inspections.
Reporting Requirements
(j) Under the provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.), the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements contained in this AD,
and has assigned OMB Control Number
2120–0056.
(1) Report the results of the on-wing
inspections performed in paragraph (h)(2) of
this AD by following the instructions in
paragraph 3.A.(14) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of GE ASB No. CF34–AL S/B 72–
A0231, Revision 1, dated June 27, 2007.
(2) Report the results of the shop-level
inspections performed in paragraph (h)(4) of
this AD by following the instructions in
paragraph 3.A.(3)(b)11 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of GE ASB No.
CF34–AL S/B 72–A0233, Revision 3, dated
June 27, 2007.
(3) Report the results of the shop-level
inspections performed in paragraph (i)(2) of
this AD by following the instructions in
paragraph 3.A.(3)(b)11 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of GE ASB No.
CF34–AL S/B 72–A0212, Revision 3, dated
June 27, 2007.
Related Information
(m) Emergency AD 2007–04–51 and AD
2007–05–16 also pertain to the subject of this
AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
Previous Credit
(k) Credit is allowed for:
(1) Fan disks previously shop-level
inspected before the effective date of this AD
using GE ASB No. CF34–AL S/B 72–A0233,
dated March 7, 2007, Revision 1, dated
March 16, 2007, or Revision 2, dated March
22, 2007; and GE ASB No. CF34–BJ S/B 72–
A0212, dated March 7, 2007, Revision 1,
dated March 16, 2007, or Revision 2, dated
March 22, 2007.
(2) Fan disks previously on-wing TEV
inspected before the effective date of this AD
using GE ASB No. CF34–AL S/B 72–A0231,
dated March 7, 2007.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(l) The Manager, Engine Certification
Office, has the authority to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this
AD if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19.
(n) You must use the General Electric
Company Alert Service Bulletins listed in
Table D of this AD to perform the inspections
required by this AD. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation
by reference of the documents listed in Table
D of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get a copy
from General Electric Company via Lockheed
Martin Technology Services, 10525 Chester
Road, Suite C, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215;
telephone (513) 672–8400; fax (513) 672–
8422. You can review copies at the FAA,
New England Region, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
TABLE D.—INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Alert service bulletin no.
Page
number
CF34–AL S/B 72–A0231 ..........................................................................................................................
Total Pages: 94
CF34–AL S/B 72–A0233 ..........................................................................................................................
Total Pages: 92
CF34–BJ S/B 72–A0212 ..........................................................................................................................
Total Pages: 96
All ...........
1
June 27, 2007.
All ...........
3
June 27, 2007.
All ...........
3
June 27, 2007.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on
August 16, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–16554 Filed 8–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28282; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–068–AD; Amendment
39–15169; AD 2007–17–11]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell
Douglas Model 717–200 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
McDonnell Douglas Model 717–200
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:51 Aug 27, 2007
Jkt 211001
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Revision
Date
airplanes. This AD requires installing
in-line fuel float switch fuses and wire
protection at the left, right, and center
forward spars. This AD results from a
design review of the fuel tank systems
conducted by the manufacturer. We are
issuing this AD to prevent the potential
for ignition sources inside fuel tanks
caused by latent failures, alterations,
repairs, or maintenance actions, which,
in combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in fuel tank
explosions and consequent loss of the
airplane.
This AD becomes effective
October 2, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in the AD
as of October 2, 2007.
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\28AUR1.SGM
28AUR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 28, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49183-49186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16554]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27687; Directorate Identifier 2000-NE-42-AD;
Amendment 39-15179; AD 2007-07-07R1]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF34-1A, -3A,
-3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -
3B1 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection
of certain fan disks for electrical arc-out indications, replacing fan
disks with electrical arc-out indications, and reducing the life limit
of certain fan disks. This AD results from a comment received on AD
2007-07-07, and from recently issued revisions to the applicable GE
Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs). We are issuing this AD to prevent an
uncontained fan disk failure and airplane damage.
DATES: Effective September 12, 2007. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the regulations as of September 12, 2007.
We must receive any comments on this AD by October 29, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
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.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
You can get the service information identified in this AD from
General Electric Company via Lockheed Martin Technology Services, 10525
Chester Road, Suite C, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215; telephone (513) 672-
8400; fax (513) 672-8422.
The Docket Operations office is located at 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: Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
tara.chaidez@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 30, 2007, the FAA issued AD 2007-
07-07, Amendment 39-15012 (72 FR 16998, April 6, 2007). That AD
requires a onetime inspection of certain fan disks for electrical arc-
out indications, replacing fan disks with electrical arc-out
indications, and reducing the life limit of certain fan disks. That AD
was the result of a report that in January 2007, a CF34-3B1 turbofan
engine experienced an uncontained fan disk failure during flight
operation. That condition, if not corrected, could result in an
uncontained fan disk failure and airplane damage.
Actions Since AD 2007-07-07 Was Issued
Since AD 2007-07-07 was issued, we received a comment from Star Air
A/S, requesting clarification of the compliance requirement in Table C,
item (ii). We published Table C as follows:
Table C.--Business Jet Shop-Level Fan Disk Inspection Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For fan disks Inspect
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) That have more than 5,500 flight Within 500 flight hours after
hours on the effective date of this AD. the effective date of this AD.
(ii) That have 5,500 or fewer flight Within accumulating a total of
hours on the effective date of this AD. 6,000 fan disk operating hours-
since-new, or 5 calendar
years, whichever occurs first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The commenter asks if we intended to state ``within 5 calendar
years after the effective date of the AD'', or, ``within 5 years-since-
new.'' We intended to state ``within 5 years after the effective date
of the AD.'' For clarification, we revised Table C as follows:
Table C.--Business Jet Shop-Level Fan Disk Inspection Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For fan disks Inspect
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) That have not had a shop-level Within 500 flight hours after
inspection and have more than 5,500 the effective date of this AD.
flight hours on the effective date of
this AD.
(ii) That have not had a shop-level Within accumulating a total of
inspection and have 5,500 or fewer 6,000 fan disk operating hours-
flight hours on the effective date of since-new.
this AD.
[[Page 49184]]
(iii) That have had a shop-level Within accumulating an
inspection and have 5,500 or fewer additional 6,000 fan disk
flight hours on the effective date of operating hours-since-shop-
this AD. level inspection, or within 5
calendar years from the
effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, since that AD was issued, GE issued revisions to the
applicable ASBs to make document reference updates and accomplishment
instruction updates. We reference these ASB revisions in this AD
revision.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of GE ASB No.
CF34-BJ S/B 72-A0212, Revision 3, dated June 27, 2007, ASB No. CF34-AL
S/B 72-A0233, Revision 3, dated June 27, 2007, and ASB No. CF34-AL S/B
72-A0231, Revision 1, dated June 27, 2007. All three ASBs list the
affected fan disks by serial number and part number. The first two ASBs
describe procedures for performing fluorescent penetrant inspection
(FPI), a Tactile and Enhanced Visual (TEV) inspection, and eddy current
inspection (ECI) for cracks and electrical arc-out defects. The third
ASB describes procedures for performing an on-wing TEV inspection of
fan disks for electrical arc-out defects.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other GE CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan
engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent an
uncontained fan disk failure and airplane damage. This AD requires on-
wing TEV inspection of fan disks for electrical arc-out defects on fan
disks installed on regional jets within 500 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD. This AD also requires for all affected fan
disks shop-level FPI, enhanced TEV, and ECI inspections for cracks and
electrical arc-out defects. This AD also carries forward from AD 2006-
05-04 the reduced life limit for certain fan disks. You must use the
service information described previously to perform the actions
required by this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and 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 was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2007-27687;
Directorate Identifier 2000-NE-42-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit
https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
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.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the
address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the
Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
[[Page 49185]]
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 Amendment 39-15012 (72 FR
16998, April 6, 2007), and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
Amendment 39-15179, to read as follows:
2007-07-07R1 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-15179. Docket
No. FAA-2007-27687; Directorate Identifier 2000-NE-42-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 12, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD revises AD 2007-07-07.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF34-1A, -
3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines, with fan disks part
numbers (P/Ns) 5921T18G01, 5921T18G09, 5921T18G10, 5921T54G01,
5922T01G02, 5922T01G04, 5922T01G05, 6020T62G04, 6020T62G05,
6078T00G01, 6078T57G01, 6078T57G02, 6078T57G03, 6078T57G04,
6078T57G05, and 6078T57G06 installed. These engines are installed
on, but not limited to, Bombardier Canadair airplane models CL-600-
2A12, -2B16, and -2B19.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a comment received on AD 2007-07-07,
and from GE recently issuing revisions to the applicable GE Alert
Service Bulletins (ASBs). We are issuing this AD to prevent an
uncontained fan disk failure and airplane damage.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Removal of Certain Fan Disks From Service
(f) For fan disks listed by P/N and serial number (SN) in the
following Table A that have fewer than 8,000 cycles-since-new (CSN)
on the effective date of this AD, replace fan disks before
accumulating 8,000 CSN:
Table A.--Fan Disks That Require Removal Based on Blended Callouts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disk part No. Disk serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6078T57G02................................ GAT6306N
6078T00G01................................ GAT3860G
6078T57G02................................ GAT1924L
5922T01G04................................ GAT9599G
6078T57G04................................ GEE05831
6078T57G04................................ GEE06612
6078T57G04................................ GEE06618
6078T57G04................................ GEE06974
6078T57G04................................ GEE06980
6078T57G05................................ GEE143FY
6078T57G05................................ GEE1453G
6078T57G05................................ GEE14452
6078T57G05................................ GEE145NA
6078T57G04................................ GEE08086
6078T57G04................................ GEE09287
6078T57G04................................ GEE09337
6078T57G05................................ GEE12720
6078T57G05................................ GEE14214
6078T57G05................................ GEE142YT
6078T57G05................................ GEE146GT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(g) For fan disks listed in Table A of this AD that have 8,000
CSN or more on the effective date of this AD, replace the disk
within 15 days after the effective date of this AD.
Inspections of Fan Disks Installed in Regional Jet Airplanes
(h) For CF34-3A1 and CF34-3B1 turbofan engines installed on
Bombardier Canadair CL600-2B19 Regional Jet airplanes:
On-Wing Tactile and Enhanced Visual (TEV) Inspection
(1) On-wing TEV inspect the fan disks listed by P/N and SN in
Table 1 of GE ASB No. CF34-AL S/B 72-A0231, Revision 1, dated June
27, 2007, using the compliance times specified in the following
Table B:
Table B.--Regional Jet On-wing Fan Disk Inspection Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For fan disks Inspect
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) That have not had a shop-level Within 500 flight hours after
inspection. the effective date of this AD.
(ii) That are marked with an asterisk Within 500 flight hours after
in Table 1 of GE ASB No. CF34-AL S/B the effective date of this AD.
72-A0231, Revision 1, dated June 27,
2007.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Use paragraphs 3.A. through 3.A.(13) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of GE ASB No. CF34-AL S/B 72-A0231, Revision 1, dated
June 27, 2007, to do the inspection.
Shop-Level Inspection
(3) Within 5,000 flight hours or 5 calendar years after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, fluorescent
penetrant inspect (FPI), TEV inspect, and eddy current inspect (ECI)
at shop-level for cracks and electrical arc-out defects on the fan
disks listed by P/N and SN in Table 1 of GE ASB No. CF34-AL S/B 72-
A0233, Revision 3, dated June 27, 2007.
(4) Use paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(6) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of GE ASB No. CF34-AL S/B 72-A0233, Revision 3, dated
June 27, 2007, to do the inspections.
Shop-Level Inspection Exemption
(5) Fan disks are exempt from the shop-level inspection, that
meet the following criteria:
(i) Fan disks inspected before the effective date of this AD per
GE Engine Manual No. SEI-756, Section 72-21-00 (FAN ROTOR ASSEMBLY
INSPECTION); and
(ii) That have accumulated no more than 100 cycles since that
inspection; and
(iii) That pass the on-wing TEV inspection in paragraph (h)(2)
of this AD.
Inspection of Fan Disks Installed in Business Jet Airplanes
(i) For CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, and -3B turbofan engines
installed on Bombardier Canadair Models CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), CL-
600-2B16 (CL-601-3A), (CL-601-3R), and (CL-604) Business Jet
airplanes:
(1) FPI, TEV inspect, and ECI for cracks and electrical arc-out
defects at shop-level on the fan disks listed by P/N and SN in Table
1 of GE ASB No. CF34-BJ S/B 72-A0212, Revision 3, dated June 27,
2007, using the compliance times specified in the following Table C:
Table C.--Business Jet Shop-level Fan Disk Inspection Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For fan disks Inspect
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) That have not had a shop-level Within 500 flight hours after
inspection and have more than 5,500 the effective date of this AD.
flight hours on the effective date of
this AD.
(ii) That have not had a shop-level Within accumulating a total of
inspection and have 5,500 or fewer 6,000 fan disk operating hours-
flight hours on the effective date of since-new.
this AD.
[[Page 49186]]
(iii) That have had a shop-level Within accumulating an
inspection and have 5,500 or fewer additional 6,000 fan disk
flight hours on the effective date of operating hours-since-shop-
this AD. level inspection, or within 5
calendar years from the
effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Use paragraphs 3.A. through 3.A.(10) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of GE ASB No. CF34-BJ S/B 72-A0212, Revision 3, dated
June 27, 2007, to do the inspections.
Reporting Requirements
(j) Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
has approved the information collection requirements contained in
this AD, and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
(1) Report the results of the on-wing inspections performed in
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD by following the instructions in
paragraph 3.A.(14) of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE ASB No.
CF34-AL S/B 72-A0231, Revision 1, dated June 27, 2007.
(2) Report the results of the shop-level inspections performed
in paragraph (h)(4) of this AD by following the instructions in
paragraph 3.A.(3)(b)11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE ASB
No. CF34-AL S/B 72-A0233, Revision 3, dated June 27, 2007.
(3) Report the results of the shop-level inspections performed
in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD by following the instructions in
paragraph 3.A.(3)(b)11 of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE ASB
No. CF34-AL S/B 72-A0212, Revision 3, dated June 27, 2007.
Previous Credit
(k) Credit is allowed for:
(1) Fan disks previously shop-level inspected before the
effective date of this AD using GE ASB No. CF34-AL S/B 72-A0233,
dated March 7, 2007, Revision 1, dated March 16, 2007, or Revision
2, dated March 22, 2007; and GE ASB No. CF34-BJ S/B 72-A0212, dated
March 7, 2007, Revision 1, dated March 16, 2007, or Revision 2,
dated March 22, 2007.
(2) Fan disks previously on-wing TEV inspected before the
effective date of this AD using GE ASB No. CF34-AL S/B 72-A0231,
dated March 7, 2007.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(l) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(m) Emergency AD 2007-04-51 and AD 2007-05-16 also pertain to
the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(n) You must use the General Electric Company Alert Service
Bulletins listed in Table D of this AD to perform the inspections
required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of the documents listed in Table D of
this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You
can get a copy from General Electric Company via Lockheed Martin
Technology Services, 10525 Chester Road, Suite C, Cincinnati, Ohio
45215; telephone (513) 672-8400; fax (513) 672-8422. You can review
copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA; or 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: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Table D.--Incorporation by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alert service bulletin no. Page number Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CF34-AL S/B 72-A0231..................... All..................... 1 June 27, 2007.
Total Pages: 94..........................
CF34-AL S/B 72-A0233..................... All..................... 3 June 27, 2007.
Total Pages: 92..........................
CF34-BJ S/B 72-A0212..................... All..................... 3 June 27, 2007.
Total Pages: 96..........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 16, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-16554 Filed 8-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P