Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turboshaft Engines, 27634-27635 [2017-12242]

Download as PDF 27634 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 115 / Friday, June 16, 2017 / Proposed Rules (k) Terminating Action DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION The modification required in paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the actions required in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 (l) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 International Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOCREQUESTS@faa.gov. 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. (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of this AD, for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA; or EADS CASA’s EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with PROPOSALS (m) Related Information (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 2016–0201, dated October 11, 2016, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–0555. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; telephone 425–227–1112; fax 425–227–1149. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Defense and Space Services/Engineering Support, Avenida de ´ Aragon 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84; fax +34 91 585 31 27; email MTA.TechnicalService@airbus.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 6, 2017. Michael Kaszycki, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2017–12252 Filed 6–15–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Jun 15, 2017 Jkt 241001 [Docket No. FAA–2017–0452; Directorate Identifier 2017–NE–14–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turboshaft Engines Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CT7–8A and CT7–9B model turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports from the manufacturer that the high-pressure compressor (HPC) impeller installed on these engines may have suffered from material degradation during the manufacturing process. This proposed AD would require removal of the affected HPC impellers. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this NPRM, contact General Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513–552–3272; fax: 513–552– 3329; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238– 7125. SUMMARY: Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2017– PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 0452; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 800–647– 5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238–7157; fax: 781–238–7199; email: martin.adler@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 2017–0452; Directorate Identifier 2017– NE–14–AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this NPRM. Discussion We learned from the manufacturer that the affected HPC impellers installed on CT7–8A and CT7–9B turboshaft engines may have suffered from material degradation during the manufacturing process. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the HPC impeller, uncontained HPC impeller release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane/helicopter. Related Service Information We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) CT7–TP S/B 72–0524, dated June 16, 2016. The SB describes procedures for replacing the affected HPC impellers. FAA’s Determination We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. E:\FR\FM\16JNP1.SGM 16JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 115 / Friday, June 16, 2017 / Proposed Rules Proposed AD Requirements Costs of Compliance This proposed AD would require removal of the affected HPC impellers. We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1 engine installed on a helicopter of U.S. registry. 27635 We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: ESTIMATED COSTS Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators Replace HPC impeller .................................... 0 work-hours × $85 per hour = $0 ................. $70,000 $70,000 $70,000 Authority for This Rulemaking List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 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. Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with PROPOSALS Regulatory Findings We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866, (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Jun 15, 2017 Jkt 241001 The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): ■ General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA– 2017–0452; Directorate Identifier 2017– NE–14–AD. (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by July 31, 2017. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CT7–8A and CT7–9B model turboshaft engines with a high-pressure compressor (HPC) impeller, part number 5123T51P02, and serial number, GLHTPH9G, GLHTPP7P, or GLHTPJHN, installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports from the manufacturer that the HPC impeller installed on these engines may have suffered from material degradation during the manufacturing process. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC impeller. This unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the HPC impeller, uncontained HPC impeller release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane/ helicopter. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (1) For CT7–9B engines, remove the affected HPC impeller from service at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, or prior to accumulating 12,000 cycles since new, whichever is earlier. (2) For CT7–8A engines, remove the affected HPC impeller from service at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, or prior to accumulating 1,500 engine hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is earlier. (g) Definition For the purpose of this AD, an ‘‘engine shop visit’’ is the induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. (i) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238– 7157; fax: 781–238–7199; email: martin.adler@faa.gov. (2) GE Service Bulletin CT7–TP S/B 72– 0524, dated June 16, 2016, can be obtained from GE using the contact information in paragraph (i)(3) of this proposed AD. (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact General Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513–552–3272; fax: 513–552–3329; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 8, 2017. Robert J. Ganley, Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2017–12242 Filed 6–15–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P E:\FR\FM\16JNP1.SGM 16JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27634-27635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12242]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0452; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-14-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain General Electric Company (GE) CT7-8A and CT7-9B model 
turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports from the 
manufacturer that the high-pressure compressor (HPC) impeller installed 
on these engines may have suffered from material degradation during the 
manufacturing process. This proposed AD would require removal of the 
affected HPC impellers. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact General 
Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 
45215; phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0452; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: martin.adler@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0452; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-14-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    We learned from the manufacturer that the affected HPC impellers 
installed on CT7-8A and CT7-9B turboshaft engines may have suffered 
from material degradation during the manufacturing process. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the HPC 
impeller, uncontained HPC impeller release, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane/helicopter.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) CT7-TP S/B 72-0524, dated June 
16, 2016. The SB describes procedures for replacing the affected HPC 
impellers.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

[[Page 27635]]

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removal of the affected HPC 
impellers.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1 engine installed on a 
helicopter of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPC impeller..............  0 work-hours x $85 per            $70,000          $70,000          $70,000
                                     hour = $0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2017-0452; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-NE-14-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 31, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CT7-8A and CT7-
9B model turboshaft engines with a high-pressure compressor (HPC) 
impeller, part number 5123T51P02, and serial number, GLHTPH9G, 
GLHTPP7P, or GLHTPJHN, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports from the manufacturer that the 
HPC impeller installed on these engines may have suffered from 
material degradation during the manufacturing process. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC impeller. This unsafe 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the HPC 
impeller, uncontained HPC impeller release, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane/helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For CT7-9B engines, remove the affected HPC impeller from 
service at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, or prior to accumulating 12,000 cycles since new, whichever 
is earlier.
    (2) For CT7-8A engines, remove the affected HPC impeller from 
service at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, or prior to accumulating 1,500 engine hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is earlier.

(g) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Martin Adler, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781-238-7199; email: martin.adler@faa.gov.
    (2) GE Service Bulletin CT7-TP S/B 72-0524, dated June 16, 2016, 
can be obtained from GE using the contact information in paragraph 
(i)(3) of this proposed AD.
    (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact General Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann 
Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; 
email: geae.aoc@ge.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 8, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12242 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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