Airworthiness Directives; CFE Company Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFE Company (CFE) Model CFE738–1–1B engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 and stage 2 disks were manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron inclusion. This proposed AD would require replacement of affected HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks with parts eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 22, 2024.

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 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.

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2024–0461; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

• For service information identified in this NPRM, contact CFE Company, 111 S. 34th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034–2802; phone: (800) 601–3099; website: https://www.myaerospace.com.

• You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238–7178; email: alexei.t.marqueen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES . Include “Docket No. FAA–2024–0461; Project Identifier AD–2023–00994–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 amend 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 Alexei Marqueen, 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 was notified by the manufacturer that certain HPT stage 1 and HPT stage 2 disks. installed on certain CFE738–1–1B model engines were manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron inclusion. Further investigation by the manufacturer determined that the iron inclusion is attributed to deficiencies in the manufacturing process and may cause reduced material properties and a lower fatigue life capability, which may result in structural failure. The manufacturer also informed the FAA that additional risk assessments determined that there were no failed events associated with the discovery of this iron inclusion material, however concluded that replacement of the affected HPT stage 1 and HPT stage 2 disks is necessary.

This condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained debris release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed CFE Service Bulletin (SB) CFE738–72–A8082, dated July 4, 2023 (CFE738–72–A8082), which specifies the affected part and serial numbers of the HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks and specifies replacement instructions for these affected parts. 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 ADDRESSES .

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require replacement of certain HPT stage 1 and HPT stage 2 disks with parts eligible for installation.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 29 engines installed on airplanes 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.

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

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:

CFE Company: Docket No. FAA–2024–0461; Project Identifier AD–2023–00994–E.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by April 22, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to CFE Company (CFE) Model CFE738–1–1B engines with an installed high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 disk or HPT stage 2 disk with a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) identified in Section 1. Planning Information, paragraph E. Compliance, Tables 2 and 3, of CFE Service Bulletin (SB) CFE738–72–A8082, dated July 4, 2023 (CFE SB CFE738–72–A8082).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed certain HPT stage 1 disks and HPT stage 2 disks were manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron inclusion. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent premature fracture and consequent uncontained failure. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained debris release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, remove each affected HPT stage 1 disk and HPT stage 2 disk from service and replace with a part eligible for installation, in accordance with steps (1) through (9) in paragraph B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of CFE SB CFE738–72–A8082.

(1) For affected HPT stage 1 disks, at the next piece part exposure or before exceeding 2,450 cycles since new (CSN), whichever occurs first.

(2) For affected HPT stage 2 disks, at the next piece part exposure or before exceeding 2,930 CSN, whichever occurs first.

(h) Definition

For the purpose of this AD:

(1) A “part eligible for installation” is any HPT stage 1 disk or HPT stage 2 disk with a P/N and S/N that is not identified in Section 1. Planning Information, paragraph E. Compliance, Tables 2 and 3, of CFE SB CFE738–72–A8082.

(2) “Piece-part exposure” is when the affected part is removed from the engine.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) 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 (j) of this AD and email to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(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.

(j) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Steet, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238–7178; email: alexei.t.marqueen@faa.gov.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) CFE Service Bulletin (SB) CFE738–72–A8082, dated July 4, 2023.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact CFE Company, 111 S. 34th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034–2802; phone: (800) 601–3099; website: https://www.myaerospace.com.

(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.

(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.