[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16420-16422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9231]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-ANE-63]
Airworthiness Directives; CFM International CFM56-5 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to CFM International CFM56-5 series
turbofan engines. This proposal would require rework of the air turbine
engine starter. This proposal is prompted by three reports of air
turbine engine starter failures. The actions specified by the proposed
AD are intended to prevent an air turbine engine starter failure, which
could result in damage to the engine electrical harnesses.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 14, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-63, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from CFM International, Technical Publications Department, One
Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone (513)552-2981, fax
(513)552-2816. This information may be examined at the FAA, New England
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA.
[[Page 16421]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Ganley, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617)
238-7138, fax (617) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 95-ANE-63.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-63, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
Discussion
This proposed airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to CFM
International (CFMI) CFM56-5 series turbofan engines. The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has received three reports of air turbine
engine starter failures. During high speed clutch engagements, the
clutch pawls can fail and liberate into several pieces. These liberated
pieces can then jam in between the driveshaft and the hub gear. This
jamming can permit the engine to backdrive the starter, resulting in
failure of the starter. The resulting heat from the failure may cause
damage to the engine electrical harnesses. The installation of a pawl
retaining plate on the driveshaft will assure the pawl remains in the
correct position during high impact re-engagements. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in an air turbine engine starter failure,
which could result in damage to the engine electrical harnesses.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of CFMI
CFM56-5 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 80-003, Revision 5, dated October 25,
1994, that describes procedures for the air turbine engine starter
rework.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require rework of the air turbine engine starter
prior to October 31, 1996. This compliance end-date has been determined
based on shop visit rates. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
The FAA estimates that 190 engines installed on aircraft of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 2 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts would cost approximately $2,400 per engine. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $478,800.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
CFM International: Docket No. 95-ANE-63.
Applicability: CFM International (CFMI) CFM56-5 series turbofan
engines, installed with air turbine engine starter, Part Number 301-
781-201-0, installed on but not limited to Airbus A320 series
aircraft.
Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the
authority provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the
applicability of this AD.
-Compliance: Required on or before October 31, 1996, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent an air turbine engine starter failure, which could
result in damage to the engine electrical harnesses, accomplish the
following:
(a) For air turbine engine starters, Part Number 301-781-201-0,
that have not been previously reworked in accordance with any
revision level of CFMI CFM56-5 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 80-003,
rework the air turbine engine starter in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of CFMI CFM56-5 SB No. 80-003, Revision
5, dated October 25, 1994.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
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used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. The
request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Engine Certification Office.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 29, 1996.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9231 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
