82_FR_27749 82 FR 27634 - Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turboshaft Engines

82 FR 27634 - Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turboshaft Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 115 (June 16, 2017)

Page Range27634-27635
FR Document2017-12242

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CT7-8A and CT7-9B model turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports from the manufacturer that the high-pressure compressor (HPC) impeller installed on these engines may have suffered from material degradation during the manufacturing process. This proposed AD would require removal of the affected HPC impellers. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27634-27635]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12242]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0452; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-14-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turboshaft 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain General Electric Company (GE) CT7-8A and CT7-9B model 
turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports from the 
manufacturer that the high-pressure compressor (HPC) impeller installed 
on these engines may have suffered from material degradation during the 
manufacturing process. This proposed AD would require removal of the 
affected HPC impellers. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact General 
Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 
45215; phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; email: [email protected]. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0452; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0452; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-14-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because 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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    We learned from the manufacturer that the affected HPC impellers 
installed on CT7-8A and CT7-9B turboshaft engines may have suffered 
from material degradation during the manufacturing process. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the HPC 
impeller, uncontained HPC impeller release, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane/helicopter.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) CT7-TP S/B 72-0524, dated June 
16, 2016. The SB describes procedures for replacing the affected HPC 
impellers.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

[[Page 27635]]

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removal of the affected HPC 
impellers.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1 engine installed on a 
helicopter of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPC impeller..............  0 work-hours x $85 per            $70,000          $70,000          $70,000
                                     hour = $0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (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),
    (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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2017-0452; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-NE-14-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 31, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CT7-8A and CT7-
9B model turboshaft engines with a high-pressure compressor (HPC) 
impeller, part number 5123T51P02, and serial number, GLHTPH9G, 
GLHTPP7P, or GLHTPJHN, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports from the manufacturer that the 
HPC impeller installed on these engines may have suffered from 
material degradation during the manufacturing process. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC impeller. This unsafe 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the HPC 
impeller, uncontained HPC impeller release, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane/helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For CT7-9B engines, remove the affected HPC impeller from 
service at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, or prior to accumulating 12,000 cycles since new, whichever 
is earlier.
    (2) For CT7-8A engines, remove the affected HPC impeller from 
service at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, or prior to accumulating 1,500 engine hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is earlier.

(g) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Martin Adler, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) GE Service Bulletin CT7-TP S/B 72-0524, dated June 16, 2016, 
can be obtained from GE using the contact information in paragraph 
(i)(3) of this proposed AD.
    (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact General Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann 
Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; fax: 513-552-3329; 
email: [email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 8, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12242 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

27634 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 115 / Friday, June 16, 2017 / Proposed Rules (k) Terminating Action DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 0452; or in person at the Docket The modification required in paragraph (j) Management Facility between 9 a.m. of this AD terminates the actions required in Federal Aviation Administration and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. except Federal holidays. The AD docket 14 CFR Part 39 contains this NPRM, the regulatory (l) Other FAA AD Provisions [Docket No. FAA–2017–0452; Directorate evaluation, any comments received, and The following provisions also apply to this other information. The street address for Identifier 2017–NE–14–AD] AD: the Docket Office (phone: 800–647– (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance RIN 2120–AA64 5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. (AMOCs): The Manager, International Comments will be available in the AD Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane Airworthiness Directives; General docket shortly after receipt. Directorate, FAA, has the authority to Electric Company Turboshaft Engines approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. AGENCY: Federal Aviation Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your Administration (FAA), DOT. Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine request to your principal inspector or local ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Flight Standards District Office, as (NPRM). Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: appropriate. If sending information directly 781–238–7157; fax: 781–238–7199; to the International Branch, send it to the SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new email: martin.adler@faa.gov. attention of the person identified in airworthiness directive (AD) for certain SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. Information may General Electric Company (GE) CT7–8A be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC- and CT7–9B model turboshaft engines. Comments Invited REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any This proposed AD was prompted by We invite you to send any written approved AMOC, notify your appropriate reports from the manufacturer that the relevant data, views, or arguments about principal inspector, or lacking a principal high-pressure compressor (HPC) inspector, the manager of the local flight this proposal. Send your comments to impeller installed on these engines may an address listed under the ADDRESSES standards district office/certificate holding have suffered from material degradation district office. section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– during the manufacturing process. This 2017–0452; Directorate Identifier 2017– (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the proposed AD would require removal of effective date of this AD, for any requirement NE–14–AD’’ at the beginning of your the affected HPC impellers. We are comments. We specifically invite in this AD to obtain corrective actions from proposing this AD to address the unsafe comments on the overall regulatory, a manufacturer, the action must be condition on these products. economic, environmental, and energy accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– DATES: We must receive comments on aspects of this NPRM. We will consider 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or this proposed AD by July 31, 2017. all comments received by the closing the EASA; or EADS CASA’s EASA DOA. If ADDRESSES: You may send comments, date and may amend this NPRM approved by the DOA, the approval must using the procedures found in 14 CFR because of those comments. include the DOA-authorized signature. 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following We will post all comments we (m) Related Information methods: receive, without change, to http:// • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov, including any (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the personal information you provide. We Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 2016–0201, dated October 11, 2016, for instructions for submitting comments. will also post a report summarizing each related information. This MCAI may be • Fax: 202–493–2251. substantive verbal contact we receive found in the AD docket on the Internet at • Mail: U.S. Department of about this NPRM. http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room Discussion and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–0555. (2) For more information about this AD, W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., We learned from the manufacturer contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Washington, DC 20590. that the affected HPC impellers installed Engineer, International Branch, ANM–116, • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail on CT7–8A and CT7–9B turboshaft Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 address above between 9 a.m. and 5 engines may have suffered from material Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; p.m., Monday through Friday, except degradation during the manufacturing telephone 425–227–1112; fax 425–227–1149. Federal holidays. process. This condition, if not corrected, (3) For service information identified in For service information identified in could result in failure of the HPC this AD, contact Airbus Defense and Space this NPRM, contact General Electric impeller, uncontained HPC impeller Services/Engineering Support, Avenida de Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 release, damage to the engine, and Aragón 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; damage to the airplane/helicopter. +34 91 585 55 84; fax +34 91 585 31 27; email phone: 513–552–3272; fax: 513–552– MTA.TechnicalService@airbus.com. You Related Service Information may view this service information at the 3329; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. You may FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 view this service information at the We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, CT7–TP S/B 72–0524, dated June 16, information on the availability of this 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. 2016. The SB describes procedures for material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. For information on the availability of replacing the affected HPC impellers. nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with PROPOSALS this material at the FAA, call 781–238– Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 6, FAA’s Determination 7125. 2017. We are proposing this AD because we Michael Kaszycki, Examining the AD Docket evaluated all the relevant information Acting Manager, Transport Airplane You may examine the AD docket on and determined the unsafe condition Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. the Internet at http:// described previously is likely to exist or [FR Doc. 2017–12252 Filed 6–15–17; 8:45 am] www.regulations.gov by searching for develop in other products of the same BILLING CODE 4910–13–P and locating Docket No. FAA–2017– type design. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Jun 15, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\16JNP1.SGM 16JNP1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 115 / Friday, June 16, 2017 / Proposed Rules 27635 Proposed AD Requirements Costs of Compliance We estimate the following costs to We estimate that this proposed AD comply with this proposed AD: This proposed AD would require removal of the affected HPC impellers. affects 1 engine installed on a helicopter of U.S. registry. ESTIMATED COSTS Cost per Cost on U.S. Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators Replace HPC impeller .................................... 0 work-hours × $85 per hour = $0 ................. $70,000 $70,000 $70,000 Authority for This Rulemaking List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the Title 49 of the United States Code Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation compliance times specified, unless already specifies the FAA’s authority to issue safety, Incorporation by reference, done. rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Safety. (1) For CT7–9B engines, remove the section 106, describes the authority of affected HPC impeller from service at the The Proposed Amendment next engine shop visit after the effective date the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: of this AD, or prior to accumulating 12,000 Aviation Programs, describes in more Accordingly, under the authority cycles since new, whichever is earlier. detail the scope of the Agency’s delegated to me by the Administrator, (2) For CT7–8A engines, remove the authority. the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part affected HPC impeller from service at the We are issuing this rulemaking under 39 as follows: next engine shop visit after the effective date the authority described in Subtitle VII, of this AD, or prior to accumulating 1,500 PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS engine hours after the effective date of this Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: AD, whichever is earlier. DIRECTIVES ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with (g) Definition ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 For the purpose of this AD, an ‘‘engine promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in continues to read as follows: shop visit’’ is the induction of an engine into air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major mating engine the Administrator finds necessary for § 39.13 [Amended] flanges. safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance because it addresses an unsafe condition the following new airworthiness (AMOCs) that is likely to exist or develop on directive (AD): The Manager, Engine Certification Office, products identified in this rulemaking General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA– FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to action. 2017–0452; Directorate Identifier 2017– NE–14–AD. make your request. You may email your Regulatory Findings request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. (a) Comments Due Date (i) Related Information We determined that this proposed AD We must receive comments by July 31, (1) For more information about this AD, would not have federalism implications 2017. contact Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, under Executive Order 13132. This (b) Affected ADs Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & proposed AD would not have a Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, None. substantial direct effect on the States, on Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238– the relationship between the national (c) Applicability 7157; fax: 781–238–7199; email: Government and the States, or on the This AD applies to General Electric martin.adler@faa.gov. distribution of power and Company (GE) CT7–8A and CT7–9B model (2) GE Service Bulletin CT7–TP S/B 72– responsibilities among the various turboshaft engines with a high-pressure 0524, dated June 16, 2016, can be obtained compressor (HPC) impeller, part number from GE using the contact information in levels of government. paragraph (i)(3) of this proposed AD. 5123T51P02, and serial number, GLHTPH9G, For the reasons discussed above, I GLHTPP7P, or GLHTPJHN, installed. (3) For service information identified in certify this proposed regulation: this proposed AD, contact General Electric (d) Subject Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1 (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) action’’ under Executive Order 12866, phone: 513–552–3272; fax: 513–552–3329; Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under Section. email: geae.aoc@ge.com. the DOT Regulatory Policies and (4) You may view this service information (e) Unsafe Condition at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 1979), This AD was prompted by reports from the manufacturer that the HPC impeller installed information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125. nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with PROPOSALS (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation on these engines may have suffered from in Alaska to the extent that it justifies material degradation during the Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on making a regulatory distinction, and manufacturing process. We are issuing this June 8, 2017. AD to prevent failure of the HPC impeller. Robert J. Ganley, (4) Will not have a significant This unsafe condition, if not corrected, could economic impact, positive or negative, result in failure of the HPC impeller, Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller on a substantial number of small entities uncontained HPC impeller release, damage to Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. under the criteria of the Regulatory the engine, and damage to the airplane/ [FR Doc. 2017–12242 Filed 6–15–17; 8:45 am] Flexibility Act. helicopter. BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Jun 15, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\16JNP1.SGM 16JNP1


Document Created: 2017-06-16 00:52:23
Document Modified: 2017-06-16 00:52:23
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
DatesWe must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2017.
ContactMartin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781- 238-7199; email: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 27634 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR