2023-19793

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: • the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document • the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to • the agency docket number / agency internal file number • the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration • 14 CFR Part 39 • [Docket No. FAA-2023-1208; Project Identifier AD-2023-00325-E; Amendment 39-22545; AD 2023-18-04] • RIN 2120-AA64 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model CF6-80E1A2, CF6-80E1A3, CF6-80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4/B engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that a certain forward outer seal and certain high-pressure turbine rotor (HPTR) stage 1 disks and rotating seals were manufactured from material suspected to contain iron inclusion, which may cause reduced material properties and a lower fatigue life capability. This AD requires the replacement of the affected forward outer seal, HPTR stage 1 disks, and rotating seals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective October 19, 2023. ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1208; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 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: Background The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain GE Model CF6-80E1A2, CF6-80E1A3, CF6-80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4/B engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2023 (88 FR 37812). The NPRM was prompted by a report from the manufacturer that a certain forward outer seal and certain HPTR stage 1 disks and rotating seals were made from billets manufactured from material that is suspected to contain iron inclusion. Such iron inclusion may cause premature fracture and subsequent uncontained failure. The FAA has determined that the operators with affected HPTR stage 1 disks have proactively removed these parts from service. As a result, the compliance time for removal and replacement of the affected HPTR stage 1 disks is before further flight. This condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained debris release, damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require the removal of a certain forward outer seal and certain HPTR stage 1 disks and rotating seals from service and replacement with parts eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received comments from two commenters. The commenters were Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) and EVA Air. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment. No Affected Parts…

Fonte: Federal Register (federalregister.gov). Texto original em inglês. Conteúdo sanitizado por segurança.