82_FR_41746 82 FR 41577 - Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

82 FR 41577 - Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 169 (September 1, 2017)

Page Range41577-41579
FR Document2017-18571

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2, -1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70C/P2, and -1B74/75/P2 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of the failure of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 blade retainer and subsequent in-flight shutdown of the engine. This proposed AD would require inspection of the HPT stage 1 blade retainer. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 169 (Friday, September 1, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41577-41579]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18571]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0660; Product Identifier 2017-NE-21-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan 
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) GEnx-1B64/P2, -1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, 
-1B70/75/P2, -1B70C/P2, and -1B74/75/P2 turbofan engines. This proposed 
AD was prompted by a report of the failure of the high-pressure turbine 
(HPT) stage 1 blade retainer and subsequent in-flight shutdown of the 
engine. This proposed AD would require inspection of the HPT stage 1 
blade retainer. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 16, 
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 and Propeller 
Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division,

[[Page 41578]]

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-
0660; 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: Christopher McGuire, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7120; 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-2017-0660; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-21-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 of the failure of an HPT stage 1 blade retainer that 
resulted in an in-flight shutdown of the engine. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of 
thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB) GEnx-1B SB 72-0326 R02, dated 
August 16, 2017. The SB describes procedures for piece-part inspection 
of the HPT stage 1 blade retainer. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section.

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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require inspection of the HPT stage 1 blade 
retainer.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 11 engines installed on 
airplanes 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of the HPT stage 1 blade  1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0             $85            $935
 retainer.                            = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 
Policy and Innovation Division.

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:

[[Page 41579]]

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-2017-0660; Product 
Identifier 2017-NE-21-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 16, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2, -
1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, -1B70/75/P2, -1B70C/P2, and -1B74/75/P2 turbofan 
engines, with a high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 blade retainer, 
part number (P/N) 2445M91P01 or 2383M99P02, with a serial number 
listed in Planning Information, paragraph 1.A., of GE GEnx-1B 
Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0326 R02, dated August 16, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of the failure of the high-
pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 blade retainer and subsequent in-
flight shutdown of the engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the HPT stage 1 blade retainer. The unsafe condition, if 
not corrected, could result in failure of one or more engines, loss 
of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, perform a one-time inspection of the HPT stage 1 blade 
retainer. Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1), in 
GE GEnx-1B SB 72-0326 R02, dated August 16, 2017, to do the 
inspection.
    (2) If any cracks are found in the HPT stage 1 blade retainer, 
or the retainer does not meet the dimensional criteria found in the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1), in GEnx-1B SB 72-
0326 R02, dated August 16, 2017, replace with a part eligible for 
installation.

(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 case flanges, except 
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 
transportation or for replacing the fan or propulsor, without 
subsequent maintenance, does not constitute an engine shop visit.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness 
Division, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance 
with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or 
local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ECO Branch, send it to 
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this 
AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Christopher 
McGuire, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) GE GEnx-1B SB 72-0326 R02, dated August 16, 2017, can be 
obtained from GE using the contact information in paragraph (i)(3) 
of this 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 and 
Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 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 August 29, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-18571 Filed 8-31-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 169 / Friday, September 1, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                41577

                                                  pursuant to general guidelines issued by                PART 590—ADMINISTRATIVE                               the liquefied or compressed equivalent
                                                  OMB.                                                    PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO                            thereof, in a single shipment for
                                                    OMB’s guidelines were published at                    THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF                              scientific, experimental, or other non-
                                                  67 FR 8452 (February 22, 2002), and                     NATURAL GAS                                           utility gas use without prior
                                                  DOE’s guidelines were published at 67                                                                         authorization of the Assistant Secretary.
                                                  FR 62446 (October 7, 2002). DOE has                     ■ 1. The authority citation for part 590              [FR Doc. 2017–18580 Filed 8–31–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  reviewed this proposed rule under the                   continues to read as follows:                         BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
                                                  OMB and DOE guidelines and has                            Authority: Secs. 301(b), 402(f), and 644,
                                                  concluded that it is consistent with                    Pub. L. 95–91, 91 Stat. 578, 585, and 599 (42
                                                  applicable policies in those guidelines.                U.S.C. 7151(b), 7172(f), and 7254), Sec. 3, Act
                                                                                                                                                                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                                                                          of June 21, 1938, c. 556, 52 Stat. 822 (15
                                                  K. Executive Order 13211                                U.S.C. 717b); E.O. 12009 (42 FR 46267,
                                                                                                                                                                Federal Aviation Administration
                                                                                                          September 15, 1977); DOE Delegation Order
                                                     Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions                     Nos. 0204–111 and 0204–127 (49 FR 6684,
                                                  Concerning Regulations That                             February 22, 1984; 54 FR 11437, March 20,             14 CFR Part 39
                                                  Significantly Affect Energy Supply,                     1989).                                                [Docket No. FAA–2017–0660; Product
                                                  Distribution, or Use,’’ 66 FR 28355 (May                                                                      Identifier 2017–NE–21–AD]
                                                                                                          ■ 2. Section 590.102 is amended by:
                                                  22, 2001) requires Federal agencies to                  ■ a. Redesignating paragraph (p) as
                                                  prepare and submit to the OMB, a                                                                              RIN 2120–AA64
                                                                                                          paragraph (q), respectively;
                                                  Statement of Energy Effects for any                     ■ b. Adding new paragraph (p).                        Airworthiness Directives; General
                                                  proposed significant energy action. A                     The revisions to read as follows:                   Electric Company Turbofan Engines
                                                  ‘‘significant energy action’’ is defined as
                                                  any action by an agency that                            § 590.102    Definitions.                             AGENCY: Federal Aviation
                                                  promulgated or is expected to lead to                   *      *    *     *    *                              Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                                  promulgation of a final rule, and that:                    (p) Small-scale natural gas export                 ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                  (1) Is a significant regulatory action                  means an export of natural gas to                     (NPRM).
                                                  under Executive Order 12866, or any                     nations with which there is not in effect
                                                  successor order; and (2) is likely to have              a free trade agreement with the United                SUMMARY:   We propose to adopt a new
                                                  a significant adverse effect on the                     States requiring national treatment for               airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
                                                  supply, distribution, or use of energy, or              trade in natural gas and with which                   General Electric Company (GE) GEnx–
                                                  (3) is designated by the Administrator of               trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or                1B64/P2, –1B67/P2, –1B70/P2, –1B70/
                                                  OIRA as a significant energy action. For                policy, provided that the application for             75/P2, –1B70C/P2, and –1B74/75/P2
                                                  any proposed significant energy action,                 such export authority satisfies the                   turbofan engines. This proposed AD was
                                                  the agency must give a detailed                         following two criteria:                               prompted by a report of the failure of
                                                  statement of any adverse effects on                        (1) The application proposes to export             the high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1
                                                  energy supply, distribution, or use                     natural gas in a volume up to and                     blade retainer and subsequent in-flight
                                                  should the proposal be implemented,                     including 0.14 billion cubic feet per                 shutdown of the engine. This proposed
                                                  and of reasonable alternatives to the                   day, and                                              AD would require inspection of the HPT
                                                  action and their expected benefits on                      (2) DOE’s approval of the application              stage 1 blade retainer. We are proposing
                                                  energy supply, distribution, and use.                   does not require an environmental                     this AD to address the unsafe condition
                                                  For the reasons discussed in section                    impact statement or an environmental                  on these products.
                                                  II.C, this regulatory action would not                  assessment under the National                         DATES: We must receive comments on
                                                  have a significant adverse effect on the                Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C.                   this proposed AD by October 16, 2017.
                                                  supply, distribution, or use of energy,                 4321 et seq.                                          ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
                                                  and therefore is not a significant energy               *      *    *     *    *                              using the procedures found in 14 CFR
                                                  action. Accordingly, DOE has not                        ■ 3. Section 590.208 is revised to read               11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
                                                  prepared a Statement of Energy Effects.                 as follows:                                           methods:
                                                  IV. Approval of the Office of the                                                                               • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
                                                                                                          § 590.208    Small volume exports.                    http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                  Secretary
                                                                                                             (a) Small-scale natural gas exports.               instructions for submitting comments.
                                                    The Secretary of Energy has approved                  Small-scale natural gas exports are                     • Fax: 202–493–2251.
                                                  the publication of this proposed rule.                  deemed to be consistent with the public                 • Mail: U.S. Department of
                                                                                                          interest under section 3(a) of the Natural            Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
                                                  List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 590                     Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a). DOE will                  30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
                                                    Administrative practice and                           issue an export authorization upon                    W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                                  procedure, Exports, Natural gas,                        receipt of any complete application to                Washington, DC 20590.
                                                  Reporting and recordkeeping                             conduct small-scale natural gas exports.                • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
                                                  requirements.                                           DOE’s regulations regarding notice of                 address above between 9 a.m. and 5
                                                                                                          applications, 10 CFR 590.205, and                     p.m., Monday through Friday, except
                                                    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 25,
                                                  2017.                                                   procedures applicable to application                  Federal holidays.
                                                                                                          proceedings, 10 CFR part 590, subpart C                 For service information identified in
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  Robert J. Smith,
                                                                                                          (10 CFR 590.303 to 10 CFR 590.317), are               this NPRM, contact General Electric
                                                  Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Fossil                                                                  Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1
                                                                                                          not applicable to small-scale natural gas
                                                  Energy.
                                                                                                          exports.                                              Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215,
                                                    For the reasons stated in the                            (b) Scientific, experimental, or other             phone: 513–552–3272; fax: 513–552–
                                                  preamble, DOE proposes to amend part                    non-utility natural gas exports. Any                  3329; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. You may
                                                  590, chapter II of title 10, subchapter G,              person may export up to 100,000 cubic                 view this service information at the
                                                  Code of Federal Regulations as set forth                feet of natural gas (14.73 pounds per                 FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards
                                                  below:                                                  square inch at 60 degrees Fahrenheit) or              Branch, Policy and Innovation Division,


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                                                  41578                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 169 / Friday, September 1, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                  1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA.                   Comments Invited                                      Related Service Information Under 1
                                                  For information on the availability of                                                                        CFR Part 51
                                                  this material at the FAA, call 781–238–                    We invite you to send any written
                                                                                                          relevant data, views, or arguments about                We reviewed GE Service Bulletin (SB)
                                                  7125.                                                                                                         GEnx–1B SB 72–0326 R02, dated
                                                                                                          this proposal. Send your comments to
                                                  Examining the AD Docket                                 an address listed under the ADDRESSES                 August 16, 2017. The SB describes
                                                                                                          section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–                    procedures for piece-part inspection of
                                                    You may examine the AD docket on                      2017–0660; Directorate Identifier 2017–               the HPT stage 1 blade retainer. This
                                                  the Internet at http://                                 NE–21–AD’’ at the beginning of your                   service information is reasonably
                                                  www.regulations.gov by searching for                    comments. We specifically invite                      available because the interested parties
                                                  and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–                       comments on the overall regulatory,                   have access to it through their normal
                                                  0660; or in person at the Docket                        economic, environmental, and energy                   course of business or by the means
                                                  Management Facility between 9 a.m.                      aspects of this NPRM. We will consider                identified in the ADDRESSES section.
                                                  and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,                      all comments received by the closing                  FAA’s Determination
                                                  except Federal holidays. The AD docket                  date and may amend this NPRM
                                                  contains this NPRM, the regulatory                      because of those comments.                              We are proposing this AD because we
                                                  evaluation, any comments received, and                                                                        evaluated all the relevant information
                                                                                                             We will post all comments we                       and determined the unsafe condition
                                                  other information. The street address for               receive, without change, to http://                   described previously is likely to exist or
                                                  the Docket Office (phone: 800–647–                      www.regulations.gov, including any                    develop in other products of the same
                                                  5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.                      personal information you provide. We                  type design.
                                                  Comments will be available in the AD                    will also post a report summarizing each
                                                  docket shortly after receipt.                           substantive verbal contact we receive                 Proposed AD Requirements
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                          about this NPRM.                                        This proposed AD would require
                                                  Christopher McGuire, Aerospace                          Discussion                                            inspection of the HPT stage 1 blade
                                                  Engineer, FAA, ECO Branch,                                                                                    retainer.
                                                  Compliance and Airworthiness                              We learned of the failure of an HPT
                                                                                                          stage 1 blade retainer that resulted in an            Costs of Compliance
                                                  Division, 1200 District Avenue,
                                                  Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–                       in-flight shutdown of the engine. This                   We estimate that this proposed AD
                                                  238–7120; fax: 781–238–7199; email:                     condition, if not corrected, could result             affects 11 engines installed on airplanes
                                                                                                          in failure of one or more engines, loss               of U.S. registry.
                                                  Chris.mcguire@faa.gov.
                                                                                                          of thrust control, and damage to the                     We estimate the following costs to
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              airplane.                                             comply with this proposed AD:
                                                                                                                       ESTIMATED COSTS
                                                                                                                                                                                  Cost per     Cost on U.S.
                                                                        Action                                              Labor cost                          Parts cost        product       operators

                                                  Inspection of the HPT stage 1 blade retainer           1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 .................                  $0          $85           $935



                                                  Authority for This Rulemaking                           as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C.                    (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
                                                                                                          In accordance with that order, issuance               the DOT Regulatory Policies and
                                                     Title 49 of the United States Code
                                                                                                          of ADs is normally a function of the                  Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,
                                                  specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
                                                                                                          Compliance and Airworthiness                          1979),
                                                  rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
                                                                                                          Division, but during this transition                    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation
                                                  section 106, describes the authority of
                                                                                                          period, the Executive Director has
                                                  the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:                                                                          in Alaska to the extent that it justifies
                                                                                                          delegated the authority to issue ADs
                                                  Aviation Programs, describes in more                                                                          making a regulatory distinction, and
                                                                                                          applicable to engines, propellers, and
                                                  detail the scope of the Agency’s                                                                                (4) Will not have a significant
                                                                                                          appliances to the Manager, Engine and
                                                  authority.                                                                                                    economic impact, positive or negative,
                                                                                                          Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and
                                                     We are issuing this rulemaking under                                                                       on a substantial number of small entities
                                                                                                          Innovation Division.
                                                  the authority described in Subtitle VII,                                                                      under the criteria of the Regulatory
                                                  Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:                     Regulatory Findings
                                                                                                                                                                Flexibility Act.
                                                  ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
                                                  section, Congress charges the FAA with                    We determined that this proposed AD
                                                                                                                                                                List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
                                                  promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in              would not have federalism implications
                                                  air commerce by prescribing regulations                 under Executive Order 13132. This                       Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
                                                  for practices, methods, and procedures                  proposed AD would not have a                          safety, Incorporation by reference,
                                                  the Administrator finds necessary for                   substantial direct effect on the States, on           Safety.
                                                  safety in air commerce. This regulation                 the relationship between the national
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                          Government and the States, or on the                  The Proposed Amendment
                                                  is within the scope of that authority
                                                  because it addresses an unsafe condition                distribution of power and
                                                                                                          responsibilities among the various                      Accordingly, under the authority
                                                  that is likely to exist or develop on                                                                         delegated to me by the Administrator,
                                                  products identified in this rulemaking                  levels of government.
                                                                                                                                                                the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
                                                  action.                                                   For the reasons discussed above, I                  39 as follows:
                                                     This AD is issued in accordance with                 certify this proposed regulation:
                                                  authority delegated by the Executive                      (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                  Director, Aircraft Certification Service,               action’’ under Executive Order 12866,


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 169 / Friday, September 1, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                         41579

                                                  PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS                                   transportation or for replacing the fan or            regulations governing the VA’s Veteran-
                                                  DIRECTIVES                                              propulsor, without subsequent maintenance,            Owned Small Business (VOSB)
                                                                                                          does not constitute an engine shop visit.             Verification Program. The Verification
                                                  ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39                 (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance                 Program has been the subject of reports
                                                  continues to read as follows:                           (AMOCs)                                               from both the Government
                                                      Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.             (1) The Manager, FAA, ECO Branch,                  Accountability Office and VA’s Office of
                                                                                                          Compliance and Airworthiness Division, has            Inspector General stating that despite
                                                  § 39.13   [Amended]                                     the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD,           VA’s Verification Program, fraud still
                                                  ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding                   if requested using the procedures found in 14         exists in the Veterans First Contracting
                                                  the following new airworthiness                         CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,           Program. Some stakeholder feedback
                                                  directive (AD):                                         send your request to your principal inspector         has been that the current regulation is
                                                                                                          or local Flight Standards District Office, as         too open to interpretation and is
                                                  General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA–               appropriate. If sending information directly
                                                     2017–0660; Product Identifier 2017–NE–               to the manager of the ECO Branch, send it to
                                                                                                                                                                unnecessarily more rigorous than
                                                     21–AD.                                               the attention of the person identified in             similar certification programs run by the
                                                  (a) Comments Due Date                                   paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. You may email            United State Small Business
                                                                                                          your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.                 Administration (SBA).
                                                    We must receive comments by October 16,                                                                        The proposed rule sought to clarify
                                                                                                             (2) Before using any approved AMOC,
                                                  2017.
                                                                                                          notify your appropriate principal inspector,          the eligibility requirements for
                                                  (b) Affected ADs                                        or lacking a principal inspector, the manager         businesses to obtain ‘‘verified’’ status,
                                                    None.                                                 of the local flight standards district office/        added and revised definitions,
                                                                                                          certificate holding district office.                  reordered requirements, redefined the
                                                  (c) Applicability
                                                                                                          (i) Related Information                               definition of ‘‘control,’’ and provided
                                                     This AD applies to General Electric                                                                        explanatory information on VA’s
                                                  Company (GE) GEnx–1B64/P2, –1B67/P2,                       (1) For more information about this AD,
                                                                                                          contact Christopher McGuire, Aerospace                examination and review processes and
                                                  –1B70/P2, –1B70/75/P2, –1B70C/P2, and
                                                                                                          Engineer, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and             procedures. The proposed rule
                                                  –1B74/75/P2 turbofan engines, with a high-
                                                  pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 blade retainer,          Airworthiness Division, 1200 District                 additionally sought to implement new
                                                  part number (P/N) 2445M91P01 or                         Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–             changes to community property
                                                  2383M99P02, with a serial number listed in              238–7120; fax: 781–238–7199; email:                   restrictions, unconditional ownership,
                                                  Planning Information, paragraph 1.A., of GE             Christopher.mcguire@faa.gov.                          and day-to-day requirements and full-
                                                                                                             (2) GE GEnx–1B SB 72–0326 R02, dated
                                                  GEnx–1B Service Bulletin (SB) 72–0326 R02,                                                                    time requirements. An exception for
                                                  dated August 16, 2017.                                  August 16, 2017, can be obtained from GE
                                                                                                          using the contact information in paragraph            majority, supermajority, unanimous,
                                                  (d) Subject                                             (i)(3) of this AD.                                    and other voting provisions for
                                                                                                             (3) For service information identified in          extraordinary business decisions were
                                                    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
                                                  Code 7250, Turbine Section.                             this proposed AD, contact General Electric            also proposed.
                                                                                                          Company, GE-Aviation, Room 285, 1                        Comments to the proposed rule were
                                                  (e) Unsafe Condition                                    Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215,                    to be provided to the Office of Small
                                                     This AD was prompted by a report of the              phone: 513–552–3272; fax: 513–552–3329;               and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
                                                  failure of the high-pressure turbine (HPT)              email: geae.aoc@ge.com.                               on or before January 5, 2016. Due to the
                                                  stage 1 blade retainer and subsequent in-                  (4) You may view this service information          nature of the adverse comments
                                                  flight shutdown of the engine. We are issuing           at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards
                                                                                                          Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 1200
                                                                                                                                                                received, VA has determined not to
                                                  this AD to prevent failure of the HPT stage                                                                   pursue implementation of the rule as
                                                  1 blade retainer. The unsafe condition, if not          District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For
                                                  corrected, could result in failure of one or            information on the availability of this               originally proposed. Accordingly, this
                                                  more engines, loss of thrust control, and               material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125.               document withdraws the proposed rule.
                                                  damage to the airplane.                                   Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on             DATES: The proposed rule published on
                                                                                                          August 29, 2017.                                      November 6, 2015, 80 FR 68795 is
                                                  (f) Compliance
                                                                                                          Robert J. Ganley,                                     withdrawn as of September 1, 2017.
                                                     Comply with this AD within the
                                                                                                          Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
                                                  compliance times specified, unless already
                                                  done.                                                   Branch, Aircraft Certification Service.               Leney, Executive Director, Office of
                                                     (1) At the next engine shop visit after the          [FR Doc. 2017–18571 Filed 8–31–17; 8:45 am]           Small and Disadvantaged Business
                                                  effective date of this AD, perform a one-time           BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                                                                                Utilization, Department of Veterans
                                                  inspection of the HPT stage 1 blade retainer.                                                                 Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. NW.,
                                                  Use the Accomplishment Instructions,                                                                          Washington, DC 20420; (202) 462–4300.
                                                  paragraph 3.A.(1), in GE GEnx–1B SB 72–                                                                       (This is not a toll-free number.)
                                                  0326 R02, dated August 16, 2017, to do the              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
                                                                                                          AFFAIRS                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the
                                                  inspection.
                                                     (2) If any cracks are found in the HPT stage
                                                                                                                                                                proposed rule published in the Federal
                                                  1 blade retainer, or the retainer does not meet         38 CFR Part 74                                        Register on November 6, 2015, 80 FR
                                                  the dimensional criteria found in the                                                                         68795, VA sought to amend 38 CFR part
                                                                                                          RIN 2900–AO63                                         74 to find an appropriate balance
                                                  Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph
                                                  3.A.(1), in GEnx–1B SB 72–0326 R02, dated               VA Veteran-Owned Small Business                       between preventing fraud in the
                                                  August 16, 2017, replace with a part eligible                                                                 Veterans First Contracting Program and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  for installation.
                                                                                                          Verification Guidelines
                                                                                                                                                                providing a process that would make it
                                                  (g) Definition                                          AGENCY:   Department of Veterans Affairs.             easier for more VOSBs to become
                                                     For the purpose of this AD, an ‘‘engine              ACTION:   Withdrawal of proposed rule.                verified.
                                                  shop visit’’ is the induction of an engine into
                                                                                                                                                                  VA received 203 comments from 96
                                                  the shop for maintenance involving the                  SUMMARY:  The Department of Veterans                  commenters. 134 of these comments
                                                  separation of pairs of major mating engine              Affairs (VA) published a rule in the                  were adverse to the proposed rule and
                                                  case flanges, except separation of engine               Federal Register on November 6, 2015,                 VA’s verification program in general. Of
                                                  flanges solely for the purposes of                      80 FR 68795 that proposed amending its                the 134 adverse comments, several were


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Document Created: 2017-09-01 01:50:12
Document Modified: 2017-09-01 01:50:12
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 October 16, 2017.
ContactChristopher McGuire, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781- 238-7199; email: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 41577 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

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