[Federal Register: November 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 229)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 71951-71952]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no08-27]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-1245; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-27-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; CFM International S.A. Model CFM56
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 CFM International S.A. CFM56-2, CFM56-3, CFM56-5A, CFM56-5B, CFM56-
5C, and CFM56-7B series turbofan engines with certain part number (P/N)
and serial number (SN) high-pressure compressor (HPC) 4-9 spools
installed. This proposed AD would require removing certain HPC 4-9
spools listed by P/N and SN in this proposed AD. This proposed AD
results from reports of certain HPC 4-9 spools that Propulsion
Technology LLC (PTLLC) improperly repaired and returned to service. We
are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the HPC 4-9 spool, which
could result in possible uncontained failure of the spool and damage to
the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by January 26,
2009.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen K. Sheely, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
stephen.k.sheely@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7750; 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-2008-1245; Directorate
Identifier 2008-NE-27-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://
www.regulations.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 Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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).
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
Discussion
We have received reports of life-limited parts (LLPs) HPC 4-9
spools that PTLLC, repair station certificate No. XZ4R084M, improperly
repaired and returned to service. Our investigation found some areas of
the seal tooth plasma coating that were thicker than allowed by the
CFM56 engine overhaul limits. The investigation also found:
Seal tooth plasma overspray between the seal teeth, which
is not permitted by the engine overhaul manual, and
Cracks that were missed during the fluorescent penetrant
inspection.
These conditions, if not corrected, could cause cracking of the HPC
4-9 spool, which could result in possible uncontained failure of the
spool and damage to the airplane.
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
removing certain HPC 4-9 spools that have a P/N and SN listed in Table
1 of this proposed AD before accumulating 8,900 cycles since repair at
PTLLC or within 1,100 cycles from the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 26 engines installed
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take
about 410 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 $227,500 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the
total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $6,767,800.
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.
[[Page 71952]]
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. 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.
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:
CFM International S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2008-1245; Directorate
Identifier 2008-NE-27-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by January 26,
2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to CFM International S.A. CFM56-2, CFM56-3,
CFM56-5A, CFM56-5B, CFM56-5C, and CFM56-7B series turbofan engines
with a high-pressure compressor (HPC) 4-9 spool that has a part
number (P/N) and serial number (SN) specified in Table 1 of this AD,
installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to,
Airbus A319, A320, and A340 airplanes and Boeing 737 airplanes.
Table 1--HPC 4-9 Spools by P/N and SN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HPC 4-9 Spool P/N HPC 4-9 Spool SN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9513M93G08................................ MPON1641
1590M29G01................................ GWN0087D
1590M29G01................................ GWN00MG2
1590M29G01................................ GWN011LG
1590M29G01................................ GWN01285
1590M29G01................................ GWN021JC
1590M29G01................................ GWNFY923
1590M29G01................................ GWNFY824
1590M29G01................................ GWNPA756
1590M29G01................................ GWNPG015
1590M29G01................................ GWNWC515
1590M29G01................................ GWNWR523
1590M29G01................................ GWNWT631
1590M29G01................................ GWNYC495
1588M89G03................................ GWN03K1R
1588M89G03................................ GWN03N61
1588M89G03................................ GWN03N6C
1588M89G03................................ GWN040L9
1588M89G03................................ GWN0468N
1588M89G03................................ GWN05AMO
1277M97G02................................ GWNE1298
1277M97G02................................ GWNE1564
1277M97G02................................ GWNJ7891
1277M97G02................................ GWNT4187
9513M93G11................................ GWNB3373
1358M94G01................................ GWNU0169
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of certain HPC 4-9 spools that
Propulsion Technology LLC (PTLLC) improperly repaired and returned
to service. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of the HPC 4-
9 spool, which could result in possible uncontained failure of the
spool and damage to the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Removing the HPC 4-9 Spool
(f) Remove HPC 4-9 spools from service that have a P/N and S/N
listed in Table 1 of this AD before accumulating 8,900 cycles since
repair at PTLLC or within 1,100 cycles from the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later.
Installation Prohibition
(g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any
engine with an HPC 4-9 spool that has a P/N and SN specified in
Table 1 of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(h) 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
(i) Contact Stephen K. Sheely, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
stephen.k.sheely@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7750; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 18, 2008.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-28055 Filed 11-25-08; 8:45 am]
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