[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 238 (Monday, December 13, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77570-77572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31172]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1151; Directorate Identifier 95-ANE-10-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF6 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for General Electric (GE) CF6-45/-50 series and CF6-80A
series turbofan engines with certain part number (P/N) side links of
the five-link forward mount assembly installed. That AD currently
requires an initial and repetitive visual inspection of the side links
for cracks, and stripping and reapplying the Sermetel W coating on the
side link at every exposure of the side link. That AD also requires
replacing the side links and pylon attachment bolts, and inspecting the
fail-safe bolt and platform lug if the side links are cracked. This
proposed AD would continue to require those same inspections and
stripping and reapplying the Sermetel W coating, and would add two part
numbers to the applicability. This proposed AD results from a review of
the inspection program, which revealed that GE had omitted two affected
part numbers from the applicability. We are proposing this AD to
prevent failure of the side links and possible engine separation from
the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by February 11,
2011.
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: Tomasz Rakowski, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7735; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1151; Directorate
Identifier 95-ANE-10-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.
[[Page 77571]]
Discussion
The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 by superseding AD 2006-12-
24, Amendment 39-14650 (71 FR 34807, June 16, 2006). That AD requires
inspecting and stripping and reapplying the Sermetel W coating on the
side links every time one or more of the bolts attaching the side link
to the fan frame--front high-pressure compressor case or the bolt
attaching the side link to the mount platform are removed. That AD
resulted from a report of a cracked side link found during a routine
inspection at a shop visit in 2006. That condition, if not corrected,
could result in failure of the side links and possible engine
separation from the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2006-12-24 Was Issued
Since that AD was issued, GE performed an evaluation of the
inspection program and determined that they had omitted the P/Ns for
two side links that could be installed on CF6-45/-50 series and CF6-80A
series engines. GE introduced those P/N side links in 2000. The age of
those side links means that they might have experienced only two shop
visits (the average time between shop visits is about four years) since
they were put into service. Also, about 50 percent of the new side
links are spare parts and they might not be installed on any engines in
service yet. Because of those conditions, we haven't received any
reports of cracks in the new P/N links. However, due to the similarity
in design between these additional parts and the parts that are listed
in AD 2006-12-24, the same unsafe condition could exist or develop on
the additional side links. Because there is no requirement to inspect
or strip and reapply the Sermetel W coating on these additional part
numbers in AD 2006-12-24, they might not have been inspected for
cracks, which could lead to part failure. This proposed AD would add
left-hand side link, P/N 9346M99P03, and right-hand side link, P/N
9346M99P04, to the applicability. We have also updated the
applicability section to list the affected engine models in the same
way they are listed on their Type Certificate Data Sheets.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of GE Service
Bulletins CF6-50 S/B 72-1255, Revision 1, dated June 17, 2009, and CF6-
80A S/B 72-0797, Revision 1, dated June 17, 2009, that describe
procedures for inspecting and stripping and reapplying the Sermetel W
coating on the side links.
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. For that reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require inspecting and stripping and reapplying the
Sermetel W coating on the side links at each exposure of the side link.
The proposed AD would require that you do these actions using the
service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 194 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would
take about 8 work-hours per engine to perform the proposed actions, and
that the average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. We estimate the parts
cost to be negligible because only a small percentage of parts will
actually require replacement as a result of this proposed AD. Based on
these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S.
operators to be $131,920 per year.
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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 removing Amendment 39-14650 (71 FR
34807, June 16, 2006), and by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1151; Directorate
Identifier 95-ANE-10-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by February 11,
2011.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-12-24, Amendment 39-14650.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to General Electric (GE) CF6-45A, CF6-45A2,
CF6-50A, CF6-50C, CF6-50CA, CF6-50C1, CF6-50C2, CF6-50C2B, CF6-
50C2D, CF6-50E, CF6-50E1, CF6-50E2, CF6-50E2B, CF6-80A, CF6-80A1,
CF6-80A2, and CF6-80A3 turbofan engines with left-hand side links
part numbers (P/Ns) 9204M94P01, 9204M94P03, 9346M99P01, and
9346M99P03, and right-hand side links, P/Ns 9204M94P02, 9204M94P04,
9346M99P02, and 9346M99P04, installed on the five-link forward
engine mount assembly (also known
[[Page 77572]]
as Configuration 2). These engines are installed on, but not limited
to, Boeing DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A, KDC-10), 767, and 747 series
airplanes and Airbus A300 and A310 series airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a review of the inspection program,
which revealed that GE had omitted two affected part numbers from
the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the
side links and possible engine separation from the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed at every exposure of the side link.
Inspecting and Stripping and Reapplying the Sermetel W Coating on the
Side Links
(f) Inspect and strip and reapply the Sermetel W coating on each
side link at every exposure of the side links. Use the following GE
service bulletins (SBs):
(1) For CF6-45/-50 series engines, use paragraphs 3.A. through
3.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of CF6-50 S/B 72-1255,
Revision 1, dated June 17, 2009.
(2) For CF6-80A series engines, use paragraphs 3.A. through 3.E.
of the Accomplishment Instructions of CF6-80A S/B 72-0797, Revision
1, dated June 17, 2009.
Definition of Exposure of Side Link
(g) A side link is exposed when one or more bolts that attach
the side links to the fan frame-front high-pressure compressor case
are removed, or when the bolt attaching the side link to the mount
platform is removed.
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 Tomasz Rakowski, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7735; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD.
(j) General Electric SBs CF6-50 S/B 72-1255, Revision 1, dated
June 17, 2009, and CF6-80A S/B 72-0797, Revision 1, dated June 17,
2009, pertain to the subject of this AD. Contact General Electric
Aviation Operations Center (AOC), telephone (877) 432-3272; fax
(877) 432-3329; or go to: https://customer.geae.com, for a copy of
this service information.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 17, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31172 Filed 12-10-10; 8:45 am]
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