Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all GEnx-1B64, -1B64/P1, - 1B64/P2, -1B67, -1B67/P1, -1B67/P2, -1B70, -1B70/P1, -1B70/P2, -1B70/ 75/P1, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70C/P1, -1B70C/P2, -1B74/75/P1, -1B74/75/P2, - 1B76A/P2 engines with outer left side signal fuel manifold, part number (P/N) 2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813, installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 28, 2017 (82 FR 12070) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by a fracture of the fuel manifold which led to an in-flight shutdown of the engine. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of the outer left side signal fuel manifold with a part eligible for installation. We are issuing this AD to prevent fracture of the fuel manifold, engine fire, and damage to the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Reduce Compliance Time
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) requested that the FAA reduce the compliance time in this AD from 12 months to 60 days. ALPA commented that the service bulletin (SB) recommends replacement of the left side signal fuel manifold within 60 days of issuance of the SB.
We disagree. Our risk assessment of the potential for additional fuel manifold fractures indicates that 12 months represents an acceptable level of risk for replacement of the affected fuel manifolds. We did not change this AD.
Request To Withdraw NPRM
United Airlines (United) requested that the NPRM be withdrawn. United commented that they have already accomplished the requirements of this AD and removed all affected parts from stock. United noted that GE has reported that this issue has been resolved by all operators. United indicated that this AD will therefore only generate unnecessary work.
We disagree. This AD includes an installation prohibition that prevents any non-conforming parts from being re-installed into engines. Without this prohibition, a non-conforming part could be installed into an engine and re-enter service. We did not change this AD.
Request To Revise Applicability
Japan Airlines (JAL) requested that the applicability of this AD be revised so that it lists affected engine serial numbers instead of applicable engines with the affected part installed. JAL indicated that GE no longer delivers engines with the affected parts installed.
We disagree. This AD includes an installation prohibition to prevent the affected outer left side signal fuel manifold from being re-installed in any engine. By defining applicability according to the affected engine with the outer left side signal fuel manifold, P/N 2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813, installed, we ensure that all the affected parts are removed from service and not re-installed in anyengine. We did not change this AD.
Request To Clarify Compliance Using SB
JAL commented that they believe the AD should allow replacement of the affected outer left side signal fuel manifold using GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016.
We agree. This AD does not specify which service material to use when replacing the outer left side signal fuel manifold. This AD lists GE service bulletins, including GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016, as guidance when inspecting, repairing, and replacing the outer left side signal fuel manifold. Therefore, this AD already allows use of GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00 when complying with this AD. We did not change this AD.
Request That AD Not Apply to New Engines
JAL requested that newly-delivered engines, which are not covered by GEnx-1B SB 73-0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016, should be considered as ``not applicable to this AD.''
We partially agree. We agree that this AD does not apply to new engines thatdo not have the affected fuel manifold installed. We disagree with changing the applicability of this AD because we do not want to allow an affected part to be installed later on a new engine. We did not change this AD.
Support for the NPRM
GE expressed support for the NPRM as written.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.
Related Service Information
We reviewed GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0051 R00, dated November 4, 2016; GE GEnx-1B SB 73-0052 R00, dated October 28, 2016; and GE GEnx-1B SB 73- 0053 R00, dated November 15, 2016. These SBs describe, respectively, procedures for inspecting, repairing, and replacing the outer left side signal fuel manifold, part number 2403M46G01, and CAGE code 05813.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 109 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replacement of fuel manifold.......... 2 work-hours x $85 per $16,000 $16,170 $1,762,530
hour = $170. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
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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
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 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.