SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed ( printed page 73175) under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2026-13813; Project Identifier AD-2026-00061-E” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may revise this proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Traevis Joshlin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA received a report that a GE Passport 20 engine experienced a fire warning and a subsequent IFSD. A manufacturer investigation revealed that hot gas leakage at the high-pressure compressor (HPC) case split line eroded an SBV fuel tube, which caused fuel leakage and an engine core compartment fire. As a result, the manufacturer redesigned the SBV fuel tube to prevent erosion from hot gas impingement. This condition, if not addressed, could result in engine fire and damage to the airplane.

FAA's Determination

The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require replacement of a certain SBV fuel tube with a redesigned SBV fuel tube.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 126 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

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.

The FAA is 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

The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

The Proposed Amendment

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

General Electric Company: Docket No. FAA-2026-13813; Project Identifier AD-2026-00061-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by December 28, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) Model GE Passport 20-17BB1A, GE Passport 20-18BB1A, GE Passport 20-19BB1A, and GE Passport 20-19BB1B engines with a start bleed valve (SBV) fuel tube installed having part number (P/N) 2721M52G01. ( printed page 73176)

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7310, Engine Fuel Distribution.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by an engine in-flight shutdown due to an engine fire caused by fuel leakage within the engine core compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent SBV fuel tube erosion. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine fire and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

Before the affected SBV fuel tube has accumulated 2,750 flight hours time since new or within 250 flight hours, whichever occurs later after the effective date of this AD, remove the affected SBV fuel tube from service and replace with an SBV fuel tube having P/N 3179M50G01.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 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 AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov. 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) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Traevis Joshlin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (817) 228-3634; email: traevis.l.joshlin@faa.gov.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

None.

91 FR 73174