Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company (GE) Turbofan Engines, 10950-10952 [2012-4284]
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10950
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 37 / Friday, February 24, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
SMALL BUSINESS SIZE STANDARDS BY NAICS INDUSTRY—Continued
NAICS
codes
NAICS U.S. industry title
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Freight Transportation Arrangement 10 ...........................................................................
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Footnotes
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10. NAICS codes 488510 (part)
531210, 541810, 561510, 561520, and
561920—As measured by total revenues,
but excluding funds received in trust for
an unaffiliated third party, such as
bookings or sales subject to
commissions. The commissions
received are included as revenues.
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Dated: December 21, 2011.
Karen G. Mills,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012–4330 Filed 2–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–25738; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NE–27–AD; Amendment 39–
16961; AD 2012–04–05]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General
Electric Company (GE) Turbofan
Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are superseding an
existing airworthiness directive (AD) for
all GE CF6–80C2B series turbofan
engines. That AD currently requires
installing software version 8.2.Q1 to the
engine electronic control unit (ECU),
which increases the engine’s margin to
flameout. This new AD requires the
removal of the affected ECUs from
service. This AD was prompted by two
reports of engine flameout events during
flight in inclement weather conditions,
eight reports of engine in-flight
shutdown (IFSD) events caused by dualchannel central processing unit (CPU)
faults in the ECU, and four reports of
engine flameout ground events. We are
issuing this AD to prevent engine
flameout or un-commanded engine IFSD
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:50 Feb 23, 2012
Jkt 226001
Size standards in
millions of dollars
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of one or more engines, leading to an
emergency or forced landing of the
airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective March 30,
2012.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility 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 address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is
Document Management Facility, 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:
Tomasz Rakowski, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781–238–7735; fax: 781–238–
7199; email: tomasz.rakowski@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2007–12–07,
Amendment 39–15085 (72 FR 31174,
June 6, 2007). That AD applies to the
specified products. The NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on
November 14, 2011 (76 FR 70382). That
NPRM proposed to remove the affected
ECUs from service.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. The
following presents the comments
received on the proposal and the FAA’s
response to each comment.
Request To Change Unsafe Condition
Commenter GE stated that in all of the
events of flameout the engines relit and
in all dual-channel CPU fault in-flight
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shutdowns the engines were capable of
restarting. GE stated that these events
should not be considered unsafe
conditions.
We do not agree. Although a flameout
with a consecutive relight or an in-flight
shutdown with a consecutive restart
during cruise flight is not in itself an
unsafe condition, these types of loss of
thrust can be unsafe conditions during
takeoff or during approach and landing.
We did not change the AD.
Request To Clarify Engine Flight Cycle
and ECU Cycle Count
Commenter All Nippon Airways
(ANA) requested that we clarify the
relationship between the engine flight
cycles and ECU cycles of operation in
the engine, and whether previous ECU
history affects the flight cycle count.
We do not agree. The flight cycle
intervals in paragraph (g) of the AD refer
to the engine start-stop cycles with the
affected ECU part numbers (P/Ns)
installed, rather than ECU operational
cycles. Engine flight cycles accrued
before the effective date of the AD are
not accounted for in the cycle count. We
did not change the AD.
Request To Remove Certain Affected
ECU P/Ns From the AD
Commenters Atlas Air, ANA, KLM,
and China Airlines requested that we
remove from the list of affected ECU
P/Ns in Table 2 of the AD, ECUs with
software version 8.2.Q1 and 8.2.R, a
new front panel assembly (FPA) and an
old pressure subsystem (PSS), or an old
FPA and a new PSS generation circuit
boards.
We do not agree. Dual-channel CPU
faults have not been ruled out for the
new FPA or the new PSS, therefore any
ECU with either a new FPA or a new
PSS must be addressed regardless of the
version of software installed. We did not
change the AD.
Request To Add ECU P/Ns to the AD
Commenter Atlas Air stated that ECUs
P/Ns 1471M63P41, 1519M89P31, and
1820M33P14 are not listed in the
proposed AD, but should be listed.
We do not agree. Those ECUs have the
old generation of FPA and PSS circuit
E:\FR\FM\24FER1.SGM
24FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 37 / Friday, February 24, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
boards and, therefore, are not
susceptible to dual-channel CPU faults.
The referenced ECUs also have the latest
available version of software installed.
We did not change the AD.
Request To Mandate Software Version
8.2.R or Later
Commenter Atlas Air requested to add
a requirement to install software version
8.2.R or later in all affected engines at
specified times, without regard to FPA
and PSS circuit board hardware
configuration.
We do not agree. Certain ECU P/Ns
that have software version 8.2.R are
susceptible to CPU channel faults. We
did not change the AD.
Request To Modify ECUs
Commenter Atlas Air requested to
modify ECU P/Ns 1471M63P42,
1519M89P32, and 1820M33P15 to ECU
P/Ns 1471M63P41, 1519M89P31, and
1820M33P14, respectively.
We do not agree. No approved
procedure exists to downgrade the
ECUs. Engine owners and operators may
propose such a procedure for approval,
and request an alternative method of
compliance to the AD, as specified in
paragraph (i) of the AD. We did not
change the AD.
Request To Add ECU Rework
Procedures
Commenter ANA requested that we
add rework procedures to the AD to
modify affected ECUs into serviceable
configurations of ECUs.
We do not agree. The AD is written
to only remove affected ECU P/Ns from
service. Refer to the manufacturer’s
service information for upgrading
affected ECUs. We did not change the
AD.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comments received, and
determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD
as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
697 GE CF6–80C2B series turbofan
engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will
take about 4 work-hours per engine to
perform a removal and replacement of
the ECU, and that the average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. A replacement
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
follows:
ECU costs about $4,600. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost of the
AD to U.S. operators to be $3,443,180.
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
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
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
10951
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by
removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2007–12–07, Amendment 39–15085 (72
FR 31174, June 6, 2007), and adding the
following new AD:
■
2012–04–05 General Electric Company
(GE): Amendment 39–16961; Docket No.
FAA–2006–25738; Directorate Identifier
2006–NE–27–AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is
effective March 30, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2007–12–07,
Amendment 39–15085 (72 FR 31174, June 6,
2007).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to GE CF6–80C2B1F, CF6–
80C2B1F1, CF6–80C2B1F2, CF6–80C2B2F,
CF6–80C2B3F, CF6–80C2B4F, CF6–
80C2B5F, CF6–80C2B6F, CF6–80C2B6FA,
CF6–80C2B7F, and CF6–80C2B8F turbofan
engines, including engines marked on the
engine data plate as CF6–80C2B7F1.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD results from:
(1) Two reports of engine flameout events
during flight in inclement weather
conditions; and
(2) Eight reports of engine in-flight
shutdown (IFSD) events caused by dualchannel central processing unit (CPU) faults
in the electronic control unit (ECU); and
(3) Four reports of engine flameout ground
events.
(e) We are issuing this AD to prevent
engine flameout or un-commanded engine
IFSD of one or more engines, leading to an
emergency or forced landing of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) ECU Removal
(1) Remove from service ECUs with part
numbers (P/Ns) listed in Table 1 of this AD
within 6 months or 450 engine flight cycles
after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first.
TABLE 1—AFFECTED ECU P/NS
1471M63P01
1471M63P06
1471M63P11
1471M63P16
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:50 Feb 23, 2012
1471M63P02
1471M63P07
1471M63P12
1471M63P17
Jkt 226001
PO 00000
1471M63P03
1471M63P08
1471M63P13
1471M63P18
Frm 00009
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
1471M63P04
1471M63P09
1471M63P14
1471M63P23
E:\FR\FM\24FER1.SGM
24FER1
1471M63P05
1471M63P10
1471M63P15
1471M63P24
10952
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 37 / Friday, February 24, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1—AFFECTED ECU P/NS—Continued
1471M63P25
1471M63P30
1471M63P35
1519M89P04
1519M89P09
1519M89P16
1519M89P21
1519M89P26
1820M33P05
1471M63P26
1471M63P31
1471M63P36
1519M89P05
1519M89P10
1519M89P17
1519M89P22
1820M33P01
1820M33P06
(2) Remove from service ECUs with P/Ns
2121M37P01, 2121M37P02, 2121M38P01,
2121M38P02, 2121M41P01 and 2121M41P02
within 14 months or 1,050 engine flight
1471M63P27
1471M63P32
1519M89P01
1519M89P06
1519M89P13
1519M89P18
1519M89P23
1820M33P02
1820M33P07
1471M63P28
1471M63P33
1519M89P02
1519M89P07
1519M89P14
1519M89P19
1519M89P24
1820M33P03
1820M33P08
cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first.
(3) Remove from service ECUs with P/Ns
listed in Table 2 of this AD within 60 months
1471M63P29
1471M63P34
1519M89P03
1519M89P08
1519M89P15
1519M89P20
1519M89P25
1820M33P04
1820M33P09
or 4,500 engine flight cycles after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first.
TABLE 2—AFFECTED ECU P/NS
1471M63P37
1519M89P27
1820M33P10
2121M25P01
2121M29P02
1471M63P38
1519M89P28
1820M33P11
2121M25P02
2121M37P03
(h) Installation Prohibition
The Manager, Engine Certification Office,
FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use
the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Tomasz Rakowski, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781–238–7735; fax: 781–238–
7199; email: tomasz.rakowski@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on
February 17, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–4284 Filed 2–23–12; 8:45 am]
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Jkt 226001
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2008–1245; Directorate
Identifier 2008–NE–27–AD; Amendment 39–
15912; AD 2009–11–02]
RIN 2120–AA64
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
14:50 Feb 23, 2012
1471M63P40
1519M89P30
1820M33P13
2121M26P02
2121M41P03
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(1) After the effective date of this AD, do
not install any ECU P/N listed in Table 1 of
this AD onto any airplane.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do
not operate any airplane with more than one
ECU P/N 2121M37P02, 2121M38P02, or
2121M41P02 installed.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
1471M63P39
1519M89P29
1820M33P12
2121M26P01
2121M38P03
Airworthiness Directives; CFM
International S.A. Model CFM56
Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
AGENCY:
The FAA is correcting an
airworthiness directive (AD) that
published in the Federal Register. That
AD applies to CFM International S.A.
CFM56–2, CFM56–3, CFM56–5A,
CFM56–5B, CFM56–5C, and CFM56–7B
series turbofan engines with certain part
number (P/N) and serial number (SN)
high-pressure compressor (HPC) 4–9
spools installed. In Table 1 of the AD,
the HPC 4–9 spool SN GWN05AMO in
the 2nd column of the Table is
incorrect. This document corrects that
error. In all other respects, the original
document remains the same.
DATES: This final rule is effective
February 24, 2012. The effective date for
AD 2009–11–02 (74 FR 23305, May 19,
2009) remains June 23, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
1471M63P42
1519M89P32
1820M33P15
2121M29P01
docket contains this AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is
Document Management Facility, 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:
Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781–238–7157; fax: 781–238–
7199; email: martin.adler@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Airworthiness Directive 2009–11–02,
Amendment 39–15912 (74 FR 23305,
May 19, 2009), currently requires
removing certain HPC 4–9 spools listed
by P/N and SN in the AD.
As published, in Table 1 of the AD,
the HPC 4–9 spool SN GWN05AMO in
the 2nd column of the Table is
incorrect.
No other part of the preamble or
regulatory information has been
changed; therefore, only the changed
portion of the final rule is being
published in the Federal Register.
The effective date of this AD remains
June 23, 2009.
Correction of Regulatory Text
§ 39.13
[Corrected]
In the Federal Register of May 19,
2009, on page 23306, in the 3rd column,
in Table 1, under the HPC 4–9 Spool SN
heading, in the twentieth line of AD
■
E:\FR\FM\24FER1.SGM
24FER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10950-10952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4284]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25738; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-27-AD;
Amendment 39-16961; AD 2012-04-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company (GE) Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for all GE CF6-80C2B series turbofan engines. That AD currently
requires installing software version 8.2.Q1 to the engine electronic
control unit (ECU), which increases the engine's margin to flameout.
This new AD requires the removal of the affected ECUs from service.
This AD was prompted by two reports of engine flameout events during
flight in inclement weather conditions, eight reports of engine in-
flight shutdown (IFSD) events caused by dual-channel central processing
unit (CPU) faults in the ECU, and four reports of engine flameout
ground events. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine flameout or un-
commanded engine IFSD of one or more engines, leading to an emergency
or forced landing of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
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 address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility,
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: Tomasz Rakowski, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7735;
fax: 781-238-7199; email: tomasz.rakowski@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2007-12-07, Amendment 39-15085 (72 FR 31174,
June 6, 2007). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2011 (76 FR 70382).
That NPRM proposed to remove the affected ECUs from service.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal
and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Change Unsafe Condition
Commenter GE stated that in all of the events of flameout the
engines relit and in all dual-channel CPU fault in-flight shutdowns the
engines were capable of restarting. GE stated that these events should
not be considered unsafe conditions.
We do not agree. Although a flameout with a consecutive relight or
an in-flight shutdown with a consecutive restart during cruise flight
is not in itself an unsafe condition, these types of loss of thrust can
be unsafe conditions during takeoff or during approach and landing. We
did not change the AD.
Request To Clarify Engine Flight Cycle and ECU Cycle Count
Commenter All Nippon Airways (ANA) requested that we clarify the
relationship between the engine flight cycles and ECU cycles of
operation in the engine, and whether previous ECU history affects the
flight cycle count.
We do not agree. The flight cycle intervals in paragraph (g) of the
AD refer to the engine start-stop cycles with the affected ECU part
numbers (P/Ns) installed, rather than ECU operational cycles. Engine
flight cycles accrued before the effective date of the AD are not
accounted for in the cycle count. We did not change the AD.
Request To Remove Certain Affected ECU P/Ns From the AD
Commenters Atlas Air, ANA, KLM, and China Airlines requested that
we remove from the list of affected ECU P/Ns in Table 2 of the AD, ECUs
with software version 8.2.Q1 and 8.2.R, a new front panel assembly
(FPA) and an old pressure subsystem (PSS), or an old FPA and a new PSS
generation circuit boards.
We do not agree. Dual-channel CPU faults have not been ruled out
for the new FPA or the new PSS, therefore any ECU with either a new FPA
or a new PSS must be addressed regardless of the version of software
installed. We did not change the AD.
Request To Add ECU P/Ns to the AD
Commenter Atlas Air stated that ECUs P/Ns 1471M63P41, 1519M89P31,
and 1820M33P14 are not listed in the proposed AD, but should be listed.
We do not agree. Those ECUs have the old generation of FPA and PSS
circuit
[[Page 10951]]
boards and, therefore, are not susceptible to dual-channel CPU faults.
The referenced ECUs also have the latest available version of software
installed. We did not change the AD.
Request To Mandate Software Version 8.2.R or Later
Commenter Atlas Air requested to add a requirement to install
software version 8.2.R or later in all affected engines at specified
times, without regard to FPA and PSS circuit board hardware
configuration.
We do not agree. Certain ECU P/Ns that have software version 8.2.R
are susceptible to CPU channel faults. We did not change the AD.
Request To Modify ECUs
Commenter Atlas Air requested to modify ECU P/Ns 1471M63P42,
1519M89P32, and 1820M33P15 to ECU P/Ns 1471M63P41, 1519M89P31, and
1820M33P14, respectively.
We do not agree. No approved procedure exists to downgrade the
ECUs. Engine owners and operators may propose such a procedure for
approval, and request an alternative method of compliance to the AD, as
specified in paragraph (i) of the AD. We did not change the AD.
Request To Add ECU Rework Procedures
Commenter ANA requested that we add rework procedures to the AD to
modify affected ECUs into serviceable configurations of ECUs.
We do not agree. The AD is written to only remove affected ECU P/Ns
from service. Refer to the manufacturer's service information for
upgrading affected ECUs. We did not change the AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 697 GE CF6-80C2B series
turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also
estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per engine to perform a
removal and replacement of the ECU, and that the average labor rate is
$85 per work-hour. A replacement ECU costs about $4,600. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be
$3,443,180.
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 DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
Adoption of 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2007-12-07, Amendment 39-15085 (72 FR 31174, June 6, 2007), and adding
the following new AD:
2012-04-05 General Electric Company (GE): Amendment 39-16961; Docket
No. FAA-2006-25738; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-27-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 30, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2007-12-07, Amendment 39-15085 (72 FR
31174, June 6, 2007).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to GE CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B1F1, CF6-80C2B1F2,
CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B3F, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6F,
CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, and CF6-80C2B8F turbofan engines,
including engines marked on the engine data plate as CF6-80C2B7F1.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD results from:
(1) Two reports of engine flameout events during flight in
inclement weather conditions; and
(2) Eight reports of engine in-flight shutdown (IFSD) events
caused by dual-channel central processing unit (CPU) faults in the
electronic control unit (ECU); and
(3) Four reports of engine flameout ground events.
(e) We are issuing this AD to prevent engine flameout or un-
commanded engine IFSD of one or more engines, leading to an
emergency or forced landing of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) ECU Removal
(1) Remove from service ECUs with part numbers (P/Ns) listed in
Table 1 of this AD within 6 months or 450 engine flight cycles after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
Table 1--Affected ECU P/Ns
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1471M63P01 1471M63P02 1471M63P03 1471M63P04 1471M63P05
1471M63P06 1471M63P07 1471M63P08 1471M63P09 1471M63P10
1471M63P11 1471M63P12 1471M63P13 1471M63P14 1471M63P15
1471M63P16 1471M63P17 1471M63P18 1471M63P23 1471M63P24
[[Page 10952]]
1471M63P25 1471M63P26 1471M63P27 1471M63P28 1471M63P29
1471M63P30 1471M63P31 1471M63P32 1471M63P33 1471M63P34
1471M63P35 1471M63P36 1519M89P01 1519M89P02 1519M89P03
1519M89P04 1519M89P05 1519M89P06 1519M89P07 1519M89P08
1519M89P09 1519M89P10 1519M89P13 1519M89P14 1519M89P15
1519M89P16 1519M89P17 1519M89P18 1519M89P19 1519M89P20
1519M89P21 1519M89P22 1519M89P23 1519M89P24 1519M89P25
1519M89P26 1820M33P01 1820M33P02 1820M33P03 1820M33P04
1820M33P05 1820M33P06 1820M33P07 1820M33P08 1820M33P09
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Remove from service ECUs with P/Ns 2121M37P01, 2121M37P02,
2121M38P01, 2121M38P02, 2121M41P01 and 2121M41P02 within 14 months
or 1,050 engine flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first.
(3) Remove from service ECUs with P/Ns listed in Table 2 of this
AD within 60 months or 4,500 engine flight cycles after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
Table 2--Affected ECU P/Ns
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1471M63P37 1471M63P38 1471M63P39 1471M63P40 1471M63P42
1519M89P27 1519M89P28 1519M89P29 1519M89P30 1519M89P32
1820M33P10 1820M33P11 1820M33P12 1820M33P13 1820M33P15
2121M25P01 2121M25P02 2121M26P01 2121M26P02 2121M29P01
2121M29P02 2121M37P03 2121M38P03 2121M41P03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(h) Installation Prohibition
(1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any ECU
P/N listed in Table 1 of this AD onto any airplane.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not operate any
airplane with more than one ECU P/N 2121M37P02, 2121M38P02, or
2121M41P02 installed.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Tomasz Rakowski,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7735; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
tomasz.rakowski@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 17, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4284 Filed 2-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P