[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 70 (Friday, April 10, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20211-20213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07565]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0371; Project Identifier AD-2019-00124-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6-
80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6-80C2A8, CF6-80C2B1, CF6-80C2B1F,
CF6-80C2B2, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-
80C2B6, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, CF6-80C2B8F, and CF6-
80C2D1F model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by
reports of incidents that resulted in a significant fuel loss during
flight and an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of the engine. This proposed AD
would require initial and repetitive shim checks of the hydromechanical
unit/main engine control (HMU/MEC) idler adapter on the accessory
gearbox (AGB) assembly and, depending on the results of the shim check,
possible replacement of the inserts on the HMU/MEC idler adapter. As a
terminating action to the repetitive shim checks, this proposed AD
would also require a protrusion check and a pull-out test and
replacements of inserts on the HMU/MEC idler adapter that fail either
test. 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 May 26,
2020.
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 Newman Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, United States;
phone: (513) 552-3272; email: [email protected]. You may
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7759.
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-2020-
0371; 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. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Smith, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7735; fax: 781-238-7199; 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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0371;
Project Identifier AD-2019-00124-E'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM 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 FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact received about this proposed AD.
Confidential Business Information
Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by
its owner.
[[Page 20212]]
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 placed
in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be
sent to Matthew Smith, Aerospace 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.
Discussion
The FAA received reports regarding incidents on GE CF6-80C2 model
turbofan engines that resulted in fuel loss during flight and an IFSD
of the engine. The incidents resulted from inserts on the HMU/MEC idler
adapter on the AGB assembly pulling out of the housing. An
investigation by the manufacturer discovered improperly cut threads on
the inserts and erroneous instructions in the maintenance manual, which
contributed to poor thread engagement. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in failure of the HMU/MEC, engine fire, and
damage to the airplane.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GE CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1577 R01,
dated August 16, 2019. The SB describes procedures for performing shim
checks of the HMU/MEC idler adapter. This service information is
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in
the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency 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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive shim checks
of the HMU/MEC idler adapter on the AGB assembly and, depending on the
results of the shim checks, replacement of the inserts on the HMU/MEC
idler adapter. As a terminating action to the repetitive shim checks,
this proposed AD would also require a protrusion check and a pull-out
test and replacements of inserts on the HMU/MEC idler adapter that fail
either test.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 555 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Parts Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost cost product operators
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Shim check.............................. 1.00 work-hour x $85.00 per $0.00 $85.00 $47,175
hour = $85.00.
Protrusion Check/Pull-out test.......... 4.00 work-hours x $85.00 0.00 340.00 188,700
per hour = $340.00.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed shim check. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace HMU/MEC idler adapter insert.......... 4.00 work-hours x $85.00 per $50.00 $390.00
hour = $340.00.
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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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
[[Page 20213]]
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-2020-0371; Project
Identifier AD-2019-00124-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by May 26, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A1,
CF6-80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6-80C2A8, CF6-
80C2B1, CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-
80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-
80C2B7F, CF6-80C2B8F, and CF6-80C2D1F model turbofan engines that
underwent an engine shop visit prior to November 1, 2018.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7321, Fuel Control/
Turbine Engines.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by failure of the hydromechanical unit/main
engine control (HMU/MEC) on the accessory gearbox (AGB) assembly.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HMU/MEC. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine fire and
damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Perform a shim check of the HMU/MEC idler adapter inserts in
accordance with paragraph 3.B.(1) of GE CF6-80C2 Service Bulletin
(SB) 72-1577 R01, dated August 16, 2019, within 1,200 flight hours
after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Thereafter, perform a repetitive shim check of the HMU/MEC
idler adapter inserts in accordance with paragraph 3.B.(1) of GE
CF6-80C2 SB 72-1577 R01, dated August 16, 2019 within every 1,200
flight hours since last shim check.
(3) If any HMU/MEC idler adapter insert fails the shim check
required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, perform the
following prior to further flight:
(i) Retorque the bolts at each bolt location that failed the
shim check, in accordance with paragraph 3.B.(1)(c) of GE CF6-80C2
SB 72-1577 R01, dated August 16, 2019.
(ii) Perform the shim check again, in accordance with paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD. If the shim check fails again, perform the
terminating action required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(h) Terminating Action
As a terminating action to the repetitive shim check
requirements of paragraph (g)(2) and (g)(3) of this AD, and as
required by paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this AD, perform the following:
(1) Do a protrusion check at all eight bolt locations in
accordance with paragraph 3.C.(3) of GE CF6-80C2 SB 72-1577 R01,
dated August 16, 2019.
(2) Do a pull-out test at all eight bolt locations in accordance
with paragraph 3.C.(4) of GE CF6-80C2 SB 72-1577 R01, dated August
16, 2019.
(3) If the inserts on the HMU/MEC idler adapter fail the
protrusion check or pull-out test required by paragraph (h)(1) or
(2) of this AD, replace the inserts in accordance with paragraph
3.C.(5) of GE CF6-80C2 SB 72-1577 R01, dated August 16, 2019. After
replacement of the inserts is accomplished, the requirements of this
AD have been met and no further action is required.
(4) If the inserts on the HMU/MEC idler adapter pass both the
protrusion check and the pull-out test required by paragraphs (h)(1)
and (2) of this AD, the requirements of this AD have been met and no
further action is required.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the initial shim check of the HMU/MEC
idler adapter required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you
performed this shim check before the effective date of this AD using
GE CF6-80C2 SB 72-1577 R00, dated October 31, 2018.
(j) 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 case flanges, except
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation of the engine without subsequent maintenance, which
does not constitute an engine shop visit.
(k) 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 (l)(1) of this AD. You may email your
request 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.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Matthew Smith,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7735; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
General Electric Company, 1 Newman Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, United
States; phone: (513) 552-3272; email:
[email protected]. You may view this referenced
service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
Issued on April 6, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07565 Filed 4-9-20; 8:45 am]
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