AD 2020-13-08

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-23-09 for all General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1A1, -80E1A2, -80E1A3, - 80E1A4, and -80E1A4/B model turbofan engines. AD 2005-23-09 required initial and repetitive fluorescent-penetrant inspections (FPI) of certain areas of high-pressure compressor (HPC) cases, part number (P/ N) 1509M97G07 and P/N 2083M69G03. This AD requires an update of the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of GE Engine Manual GEK99376 and the operator's existing continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP). This AD was prompted by GE performed an updated lifing analysis on the HPC case. As a result, GE found additional locations on the cases requiring FPI, revised the inspection interval for performing FPI of the existing location, and added an additional P/N HPC case that requires inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by: 0 a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-23-09, Amendment 39-14367 (70 FR 67901, November 9, 2005); and 0 b. Adding the following new AD: \n\n2020-13-08 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21153; Docket No. FAA-2019-0800; Project Identifier 2005-NE-24-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective August 11, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2005-23-09, Amendment 39-14367 (70 FR 67901, November 9, 2005). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1A1, - 80E1A2, \n\n((Page 40588)) \n\n\n\t-80E1A3, -80E1A4, and -80E1A4/B model turbofan engines. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by GE performing an updated lifing analysis on the high-pressure compressor (HPC) case. Based on this analysis, GE found new locations on the case that require fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI), identified a new inspection interval for the existing FPI location, and added another part-numbered HPC case that requires inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC case. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of the HPC case, engine fire, and damage to the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Required Actions \n\n\n\tWithin 180 days after the effective date of this AD, replace TASK 05-21-02-200-001 in GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376 and the operator's existing continuous airworthiness maintenance program with TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, from ESM 05- 21-02, Life Limits 001 High Pressure Compressor HPC--Scheduled Maintenance Checks, of the GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376, Revision 48, dated September 15, 2019. \n\n(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(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 (i) of this AD. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. \n\t(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. \n\n(i) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Scott Stevenson, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7132; fax: 781-238-7199; email: scott.m.stevenson@faa.gov. \n\n(j) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, from ESM 05-21-02, Life Limits 001 High Pressure Compressor HPC--Scheduled Maintenance Checks, of the GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376, Revision 48, dated September 15, 2019. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at 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 781-238-7759. \n\t(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on June 17, 2020. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-14458 Filed 7-6-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Discussion \n\n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2005-23-09, Amendment 39-14367 (70 FR 67901, November 9, 2005), (''AD 2005-23-09''). AD 2005-23-09 applied to all GE CF6-80E1A1, -80E1A2, -80E1A3, -80E1A4, and -80E1A4/B model turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2020 (85 FR 3284). The NPRM was prompted by GE performing an updated lifing analysis on the HPC case. As a result, GE found additional locations on the cases \n\n((Page 40587)) \n\nrequiring FPI, revised the inspection interval for performing FPI of the existing location, and added an additional P/N HPC case that requires inspection. The NPRM proposed to require an update of the ALS of GE Engine Manual GEK99376 and the operator's existing CAMP. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate indeveloping this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment. \n\nRequest for Clarification on Task Referenced in AD \n\n\n\tEASA and Delta Airlines (Delta) requested clarification on whether TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, referenced in the AD and in the docket, should be from Revision 47 or from Revision 48 of GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376, dated September 15, 2019 (''GE Engine Manual''). Delta further questioned whether the task should have the same date as the GE Engine Manual. \n\tThe FAA agrees that TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, in Revision 48 of the GE Engine Manual is referenced correctly in this AD. The FAA notes that the task has a different date than the GE Engine Manual and the task is dated correctly in the NPRM. This task from Revision 48 of the GE Engine Manual will be uploaded to the docket upon publication of the final rule. \n\nRequest To Include Reference to Later Revisionsof Engine Manual \n\n\n\tDelta requested that the FAA include a reference to ''and later approved revisions'' when referencing the GE Engine Manual in paragraph (g) of this AD. \n\tThe FAA disagrees because later revisions of the GE Engine Manual cannot be referenced in an AD. \n\nSupport for the AD \n\n\n\tThe Air Line Pilots Association, International, expressed support for the AD as written. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed TASK 05-21-02-200-001, dated September 15, 2015, from ESM 05-21-02, Life Limits 001 High Pressure Compressor HPC-- Scheduled Maintenance Checks, of the GE CF6-80E1 Engine Manual GEK99376, Revision 48, dated September 15, 2019. The service information describes procedures for performing FPIs of the HPC case. 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. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 20 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. \n\tThe FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per Cost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update ALS of Engine Manual........... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $3,400 \n\thour = $170. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\nAuthority for This RulemakingTitle 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. \n\tThe 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThe FAA has 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.