Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines, 55328-55331 [2022-19397]
Download as PDF
55328
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 174 / Friday, September 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules
This AD requires doing the repair, or doing
the alternative inspections and applicable oncondition actions using a method approved
in accordance with the procedures specified
in paragraph (i) of this AD.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
[Docket No. FAA–2022–0978; Project
Identifier AD–2022–00460–E]
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested using the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with
14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or responsible Flight
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the
certification office, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
level of safety may be used for any repair,
modification, or alteration required by this
AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company
Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that has been authorized by the
Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make
those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration
deviation must meet the certification basis of
the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3520; email:
bill.ashforth@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd.,
MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600;
telephone 562–797–1717; internet
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this
referenced service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS
Issued on July 1, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–19298 Filed 9–8–22; 8:45 am]
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Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General
Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain General Electric Company (GE)
GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan
engines. This proposed AD was
prompted by a manufacturer
investigation that revealed that certain
high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2
disks, forward seals, and stages 6–10
compressor rotor spools were
manufactured from powder metal
material suspected to contain iron
inclusion. This proposed AD would
require the replacement of the affected
HPT stage 2 disks, forward seals, and
stages 6–10 compressor rotor spools.
The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these
products.
SUMMARY:
The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by October 24,
2022.
DATES:
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, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati,
OH 45215; phone: (513) 552–3272;
email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com;
website: https://www.ge.com. You may
view this service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this
ADDRESSES:
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material at the FAA, call (817) 222–
5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2022–0978; or in person at Docket
Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this
NPRM, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238–7178; email:
Alexei.T.Marqueen@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2022–0978; Project Identifier AD–
2022–00460–E’’ at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 174 / Friday, September 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Alexei Marqueen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch,
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington,
MA 01803. Any commentary that the
FAA receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA was notified by the
manufacturer of the detection of iron
inclusion in an HPT stage 2 disk
manufactured from the same powder
metal material used to manufacture
certain HPT stage 2 disks, forward seals,
and stages 6–10 compressor rotor spools
for GEnx–1B64, GEnx–1B64/P1, GEnx–
1B64/P2, GEnx–1B67, GEnx–1B67/P1,
GEnx–1B67/P2, GEnx–1B70, GEnx–
1B70/75/P1, GEnx–1B70/75/P2, GEnx–
1B70/P1, GEnx–1B70/P2, GEnx–1B70C/
P1, GEnx–1B70C/P2, GEnx–1B74/75/P1,
GEnx–1B74/75/P2, GEnx–1B76/P2,
GEnx–1B76A/P2 (GEnx–1B) and GEnx–
2B67, GEnx–2B67B, and GEnx–2B67/P
(GEnx–2B) model turbofan engines.
Further investigation by the
manufacturer determined that the iron
inclusion is attributed to deficiencies in
the manufacturing process. The
investigation by the manufacturer also
determined that certain GEnx–1B and
GEnx–2B HPT stage 2 disks, forward
seals, and stages 6–10 compressor rotor
spools made from billets manufactured
using the same process may have
reduced material properties and a lower
fatigue life capability due to iron
inclusion, which may cause premature
fracture and uncontained failure. As a
result of its investigation, the
manufacturer published service
information that specifies procedures
for the removal and replacement of
certain HPT stage 2 disks, forward seals,
and stages 6–10 compressor rotor spools
installed on GEnx–1B and GEnx–2B
model turbofan engines. This condition,
if not addressed, could result in
uncontained debris release, damage to
the engine, and damage to the aircraft.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GE GEnx–1B
Service Bulletin 72–0505, Revision 02,
dated April 5, 2022. The FAA also
reviewed GE GEnx–2B Service Bulletin
72–0444, Revision 02, dated April 5,
2022. This service information describes
procedures for removing the HPT stage
2 disk, forward seal, and stages 6–10
compressor rotor spool. These
documents are distinct since they apply
to different engine models.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require the
removal of certain HPT stage 2 disks,
forward seals, and stages 6–10
compressor rotor spools and
replacement with parts eligible for
installation.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the Service Information
GE GEnx–1B Service Bulletin 72–
0505, Revision 02, dated April 5, 2022,
uses the term ‘‘HPT rotor stage 2 disk,’’
while this proposed AD uses the term
‘‘HPT stage 2 disk.’’
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 3
engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates that 0
engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
registry would require replacement of
the forward seal or HPT stage 2 disk.
The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Labor cost
Parts cost
Replace stages 6–10 compressor
rotor spool.
Replace forward seal ......................
8 work-hours × $85 per hour =
$680.
8 work-hours × $85 per hour =
$680.
8 work-hours × $85 per hour =
$680.
$846,519 (average pro-rated part
cost).
$364,558 (average pro-rated part
cost).
$363,424 (average pro-rated part
cost).
Replace HPT stage 2 disk .............
Authority for This Rulemaking
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS
Cost per
product
Action
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking
under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section
44701: General requirements. Under
that section, Congress charges the FAA
with promoting safe flight of civil
aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and
procedures the Administrator finds
necessary for safety in air commerce.
This regulation is within the scope of
that authority because it addresses an
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unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
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Cost on U.S.
operators
$847,199
$2,541,597
365,238
0
364,104
0
(3) Would 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
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 174 / Friday, September 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS
■
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by October 24,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA–
2022–0978; Project Identifier AD–2022–
00460–E.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric
Company GEnx–1B64, GEnx–1B64/P1,
GEnx–1B64/P2, GEnx–1B67, GEnx–1B67/P1,
(d) Subject
(e) Unsafe Condition
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor
Section; 7250, Turbine Section.
This AD was prompted by a manufacturer
investigation that revealed certain HPT stage
2 disks, forward seals, and stages 6–10
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GEnx–1B67/P2, GEnx–1B70, GEnx–1B70/75/
P1, GEnx–1B70/75/P2, GEnx–1B70/P1,
GEnx–1B70/P2, GEnx–1B70C/P1, GEnx–
1B70C/P2, GEnx–1B74/75/P1, GEnx–1B74/
75/P2, GEnx–1B76/P2, GEnx–1B76A/P2,
GEnx–2B67, GEnx–2B67B, and GEnx–2B67/P
model turbofan engines with an installed
high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2 disk,
forward seal, or stages 6–10 compressor rotor
spool with a part number (P/N) and serial
number (S/N) identified in Table 1 to
paragraph (c) of this AD.
compressor rotor spools were manufactured
from powder metal material suspected to
contain iron inclusion. The FAA is issuing
this AD to prevent fracture and potential
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Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 174 / Friday, September 9, 2022 / Proposed Rules
uncontained failure of certain HPT stage 2
disks, forward seals, and stages 6–10
compressor rotor spools. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in
uncontained debris release, damage to the
engine, and damage to the aircraft.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R08–OAR–2021–0001; FRL–10014–
01–R8]
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Before exceeding 600 flight cycles after
the effective date of this AD, remove the
affected HPT stage 2 disk, forward seal, and
stages 6–10 compressor rotor spool from
service and replace with a part eligible for
installation.
(2) For affected engines not in service,
before further flight, remove the affected HPT
stage 2 disk, forward seal, and stages 6–10
compressor rotor spool and replace with a
part eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, a ‘‘part
eligible for installation’’ is any HPT stage 2
disk, forward seal, or stages 6–10 compressor
rotor spool with a P/N and S/N not identified
in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, ‘‘engines
not in service’’ are engines that are in longterm or short-term storage as of the effective
date of this AD.
(i) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not
install an HPT stage 2 disk, forward seal, or
stages 6–10 compressor rotor spool with a P/
N and S/N identified in Table 1 to paragraph
(c) of this AD onto any engine.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with PROPOSALS
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD,
if requested using the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector
or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the certification office,
send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and
email to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781)
238–7178; email: Alexei.T.Marqueen@
faa.gov.
Issued on July 21, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–19397 Filed 9–8–22; 8:45 am]
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Air Plan Approval; Montana; Revisions
to Regional Haze State Implementation
Plan and Partial Withdrawals to
Regional Haze Federal Implementation
Plan
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
State Implementation Plan (SIP)
revision submitted by the State of
Montana on March 25, 2020, addressing
regional haze. Specifically, EPA is
proposing to approve a SIP revision for
the first implementation period of the
Clean Air Act’s (CAA) regional haze
program that addresses the nitrogen
oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Best Available Retrofit Technology
(BART) requirements for two electric
generating unit (EGU) facilities, as well
as proposing to withdraw portions of
the Federal Implementation Plan (FIP)
promulgated by EPA in 2012 (2012
regional haze FIP) addressing the NOX,
SO2 and particulate matter (PM) BART
requirements for two cement kilns and
the PM BART requirements for the same
two EGU facilities. This action also
addresses the United States Court of
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s June 9,
2015 vacatur and remand of portions of
the FIP. EPA is proposing this action
pursuant to sections 110 and 169A of
the CAA.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before November 8, 2022.
Public hearing: If anyone contacts us
requesting a public hearing on or before
September 26, 2022, we will hold a
hearing. Additional information about
the hearing, if requested, will be
published in a subsequent Federal
Register document. Contact Jaslyn
Dobrahner at dobrahner.jaslyn@epa.gov,
to request a hearing or to determine if
a hearing will be held.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R08–
OAR–2021–0001, to the Federal
Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Once submitted, comments cannot be
edited or removed from
www.regulations.gov. EPA may publish
any comment received to its public
docket. Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be
SUMMARY:
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55331
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
accompanied by a written comment.
The written comment is considered the
official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to
make. EPA will generally not consider
comments or comment contents located
outside of the primary submission (i.e.,
on the web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission
methods, the full EPA public comment
policy, information about CBI or
multimedia submissions, and general
guidance on making effective
comments, please visit https://
www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epadockets.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the www.regulations.gov
index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, will be publicly
available only in hard copy. Publicly
available docket materials are available
electronically in www.regulations.gov.
To reduce the risk of COVID–19
transmission, for this action we do not
plan to offer hard copy review of the
docket. Please email or call the person
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section if you need to make
alternative arrangements for access to
the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jaslyn Dobrahner, Air and Radiation
Division, EPA, Region 8, Mailcode
8ARD–IO, 1595 Wynkoop Street,
Denver, Colorado 80202–1129,
telephone number: (303) 312–6252,
email address: dobrahner.jaslyn@
epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document wherever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
EPA.
Table of Contents
I. What action is EPA proposing?
II. Background
A. Requirements of the Clean Air Act and
EPA’s Regional Haze Rule
B. Best Available Retrofit Technology
(BART)
C. Long-Term Strategy and Reasonable
Progress Requirements
D. Monitoring, Recordkeeping, and
Recording
E. Consultation With Federal Land
Managers (FLMs)
F. Clean Air Act 110(l)
G. Regulatory and Legal History of the
Montana Regional Haze FIP
III. EPA’s Evaluation of Montana’s Regional
Haze SIP Revisions
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 174 (Friday, September 9, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55328-55331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19397]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0978; Project Identifier AD-2022-00460-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer
investigation that revealed that certain high-pressure turbine (HPT)
stage 2 disks, forward seals, and stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools
were manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron
inclusion. This proposed AD would require the replacement of the
affected HPT stage 2 disks, forward seals, and stages 6-10 compressor
rotor spools. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 24,
2022.
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, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513)
552-3272; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.ge.com. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0978; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238-7178; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0978; Project Identifier
AD-2022-00460-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be
[[Page 55329]]
placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary
that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will
be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA was notified by the manufacturer of the detection of iron
inclusion in an HPT stage 2 disk manufactured from the same powder
metal material used to manufacture certain HPT stage 2 disks, forward
seals, and stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools for GEnx-1B64, GEnx-
1B64/P1, GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-
1B70, GEnx-1B70/75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-1B70/P2,
GEnx-1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-
1B76/P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2 (GEnx-1B) and GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-
2B67/P (GEnx-2B) model turbofan engines. Further investigation by the
manufacturer determined that the iron inclusion is attributed to
deficiencies in the manufacturing process. The investigation by the
manufacturer also determined that certain GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B HPT stage
2 disks, forward seals, and stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools made
from billets manufactured using the same process may have reduced
material properties and a lower fatigue life capability due to iron
inclusion, which may cause premature fracture and uncontained failure.
As a result of its investigation, the manufacturer published service
information that specifies procedures for the removal and replacement
of certain HPT stage 2 disks, forward seals, and stages 6-10 compressor
rotor spools installed on GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained debris
release, damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0505, Revision 02,
dated April 5, 2022. The FAA also reviewed GE GEnx-2B Service Bulletin
72-0444, Revision 02, dated April 5, 2022. This service information
describes procedures for removing the HPT stage 2 disk, forward seal,
and stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool. These documents are distinct
since they apply to different engine models.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require the removal of certain HPT stage 2
disks, forward seals, and stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and
replacement with parts eligible for installation.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0505, Revision 02, dated April 5,
2022, uses the term ``HPT rotor stage 2 disk,'' while this proposed AD
uses the term ``HPT stage 2 disk.''
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 3 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates that 0 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would
require replacement of the forward seal or HPT stage 2 disk.
The FAA estimates 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 stages 6-10 compressor 8 work-hours x $85 $846,519 (average pro- $847,199 $2,541,597
rotor spool. per hour = $680. rated part cost).
Replace forward seal.............. 8 work-hours x $85 $364,558 (average pro- 365,238 0
per hour = $680. rated part cost).
Replace HPT stage 2 disk.......... 8 work-hours x $85 $363,424 (average pro- 364,104 0
per hour = $680. rated part cost).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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:
[[Page 55330]]
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:
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2022-0978; Project
Identifier AD-2022-00460-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 24, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company GEnx-1B64, GEnx-
1B64/P1, GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-
1B70, GEnx-1B70/75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-1B70/P2,
GEnx-1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/75/P2,
GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-2B67/P
model turbofan engines with an installed high-pressure turbine (HPT)
stage 2 disk, forward seal, or stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool
with a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) identified in Table
1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP09SE22.046
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section; 7250, Turbine Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that
revealed certain HPT stage 2 disks, forward seals, and stages 6-10
compressor rotor spools were manufactured from powder metal material
suspected to contain iron inclusion. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent fracture and potential
[[Page 55331]]
uncontained failure of certain HPT stage 2 disks, forward seals, and
stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in uncontained debris release, damage to the
engine, and damage to the aircraft.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Before exceeding 600 flight cycles after the effective date
of this AD, remove the affected HPT stage 2 disk, forward seal, and
stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool from service and replace with a
part eligible for installation.
(2) For affected engines not in service, before further flight,
remove the affected HPT stage 2 disk, forward seal, and stages 6-10
compressor rotor spool and replace with a part eligible for
installation.
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is any HPT stage 2 disk, forward seal, or stages 6-10
compressor rotor spool with a P/N and S/N not identified in Table 1
to paragraph (c) of this AD.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, ``engines not in service'' are
engines that are in long-term or short-term storage as of the
effective date of this AD.
(i) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install an HPT stage
2 disk, forward seal, or stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool with a
P/N and S/N identified in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD onto
any engine.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Alexei Marqueen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7178; email:
[email protected].
Issued on July 21, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19397 Filed 9-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P