[Federal Register: February 15, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 31)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 7355-7357]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15fe07-10]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 7355]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26488; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-43-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80
Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for GE CF6-80 series turbofan engines having fuel shroud retaining snap
rings, part number (P/N) J204P0084, installed. This proposed AD would
require replacing those snap rings with a more robust design snap ring.
This proposed AD results from two events of external engine fuel
leakage and a subsequent under-cowl engine fire. We are proposing this
AD to prevent an under-cowl engine fire and damage to the airplane
during a high engine vibration event.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by April 16,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from General Electric Company via Lockheed Martin Technology Services,
10525 Chester Road, Suite C, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215, telephone (513)
672-8400, fax (513) 672-8422.
You may examine the comments on this proposed AD in the AD docket
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: (781) 238-
7176, fax: (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-26488;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-43-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of the
DOT Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments
received and, any final disposition in person at the Docket Management
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is
located on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif
Building at the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management Facility
receives them.
Discussion
In October 2002 and December 2005, in two CF6-80 series turbofan
engine events, a fuel manifold broke due to high engine vibration. The
resulting manifold break causes a condition where the leaking fuel
pressure overcomes the restraining capability of the fuel shroud
retaining snap ring. The fuel pressure forces the broken fuel manifold
past the sealing capability of the fuel shroud. This leads to the fuel
manifold unseating from the fuel shroud, causing external engine fuel
leakage and a subsequent under-cowl engine fire. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in under-cowl engine fires and damage to the
airplane during a high engine vibration event.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of GE Service
Bulletin (SB) No. CF6-80C2 S/B 73-0337, Revision 3, dated February 5,
2007, and GE SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0075, Revision 1, dated November
27, 2006. These SBs describe procedures for replacing fuel shroud
retaining snap rings, P/N J204P0084, with a more robust design fuel
shroud snap ring, P/N 2186M12P01 designed to withstand fuel pressure
from broken fuel manifolds.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. We are proposing this AD, which would require
replacing fuel shroud retaining snap rings, P/N J204P0084, with fuel
shroud retaining snap rings, P/N 2186M12P01. The
[[Page 7356]]
proposed AD would require you to use the service information described
previously to perform these actions.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 853 CF6-80 series
turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also
estimate that it would take about 12.5 work-hours per engine to perform
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-
hour. Required parts would cost about $72 per engine. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S.
operators to be $914,416.
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 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 that the proposed AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the
Federal Aviation Administration 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:
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:
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2006-26488; Directorate
Identifier 2006-NE-43-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by April 16,
2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following General Electric Company
(GE) turbofan engines having one or more fuel shroud retaining snap
rings, part number (P/N) J204P0084, installed:
CF6-80C2A1 CF6-80C2B1F
CF6-80C2A2 CF6-80C2B2F
CF6-80C2A3 CF6-80C2B4F
CF6-80C2A5 CF6-80C2B5F
CF6-80C2A8 CF6-80C2B6F
CF6-80C2A5F CF6-80C2B6FA
CF6-80C2B1 CF6-80C2B7F
CF6-80C2B2 CF6-80C2B8F
CF6-80C2B4 CF6-80C2D1F
CF6-80C2B6 CF6-80C2L1F
(d) This AD also applies to GE CF6-80E1A1, CF6-80E1A2, CF6-
80E1A3, CF6-80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4B turbofan engines that have
incorporated GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0026,
having one or more fuel shroud retaining snap rings, P/N J204P0084,
installed.
(e) These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus
A300, A310, A330, Boeing 747, 767, and McDonnell Douglas MD11
airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(f) This AD results from two events of external engine fuel
leakage and a subsequent under-cowl engine fire. We are issuing this
AD to prevent an under-cowl engine fire and damage to the airplane
during a high engine vibration event.
Compliance
(g) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed at the applicable time specified in the following Table
1 compliance schedule, unless the actions have already been done.
Table 1.--Compliance Schedule
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If: Then:
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The engine is listed in paragraph (c) Comply with this AD at the next
of this AD, and has incorporated GE SB engine shop visit for any
No. CF6-80C2 S/B 73-0253 (which reason after the effective
eliminates the fuel drain system date of this AD.
manifold and introduces a new
drainless fuel manifold).
The engine is listed in paragraph (c) Comply with this AD as soon as
of this AD, and has not incorporated one or more fuel shroud
GE SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 73-0253. retaining snap rings are
removed from the engine.
The engine is listed in paragraph (d) Then no action is required.
of this AD, and has not incorporated
GE SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0026 (which
eliminates the fuel drain system
manifold and introduces a new
drainless fuel manifold).
The engine is listed in paragraph (d) Comply with this AD at the next
of this AD, and has incorporated GE SB engine shop visit for any
No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0026. reason after the effective
date of this AD.
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Replacement of Fuel Shroud Retaining Snap Rings
(h) Replace any fuel shroud retaining snap rings, P/N J204P0084,
with a fuel shroud retaining snap ring, P/N 2186M12P01. Each engine
has a total of 30 snap rings installed.
(i) For CF6-80C2 series engines, use paragraphs 3.A. through
3.C.(1)(b)2, of GE SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 73-0337, Revision 3, dated
February 5, 2007, to do the replacements.
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(j) For CF6-80E1 series engines, use paragraphs 3.A. through
3.C.(1)(b)2, of GE SB No. CF6-80E1 S/B 73-0075, Revision 1, dated
November 27, 2006, to do the replacements.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(k) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(l) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7176; fax (781) 238-7199; e-mail: james.lawrence@faa.gov for more
information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 9, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-2625 Filed 2-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P