The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to GE CJ610 series turbojet engines and CF700 turbofan engines with AFT Technologies combustion liners, P/N AFT-5016T30G02 installed. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on September 9, 2009 (74 FR 46395). That action proposed to require replacing combustion liners, P/N AFT-5016T30G02:
Before they accumulate 200 hours-since-new (HSN) or 300 cycles-since-new (CSN), or
Within 15 hours-in-service or 10 cycles-in-service, after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, if the combustion liner has already exceeded 200 HSN or 300 CSN.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, andother information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Agrees With the Proposed AD
One commenter agrees with the AD.
Request To Replace "* * * Other Products of the Same Type Design''
One commenter, AFT Technologies, asks us to replace "* * * other products of the same type design'' with "* * * other products of the same manufacture.'' The commenter feels "The A.D. inadvertently suggests that despite PMA approval to manufacture the subject part, it's failure or potential for failure is the result of a design defect, as opposed to an equally possible manufacturing or assembly defect.'' And that the AD requires clarification.
We do not agree that there is any need to distinguishbetween design and manufacture in the AD. The regulation that controls type design, 14 CFR part 21.31, defines type design as design and manufacture. In addition, we didn't make any conclusion as to the cause of the excessive cracking. Determination of the cracking is the responsibility of the PMA holder. As stated in the discussion of the proposed rule, "The PMA holder has not been able to determine the cause of the premature combustion liner failure.'' Also, the statement "* * * other products of the same type design'' appears only in the NPRM preamble section "FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD.'' That preamble section is not part of the final rule. We didn't change the AD.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comment[s] received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 13 engines installed on airplanes ofU.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 96 work- hours per engine to perform the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $7,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $190,840.
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 have 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.
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); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs tocomply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: