2021-26-06: Turbine Engine Accessory Drive

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: 2021-26-06 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21865; Docket No. FAA-2021-0567; Project Identifier AD-2021-00663-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 15, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE90-76B, GE90-85B, GE90-90B, GE90-94B, GE90-110B1, and GE90-115B model turbofan engines with a transfer gearbox (TGB) radial bevel gear (TGB radial gearshaft) serial number listed in paragraph 4., APPENDIX-A, Table 1 of GE GE90 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1201 R01, dated April 28, 2021 (GE90 SB 72-1201 R01) or paragraph 4., APPENDIX-A, Table 1 of GE GE90-100 SB 72-0857 R01, dated April 28, 2021 (GE90-100 SB 72-0857 R01). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7260, Turbine Engine Accessory Drive. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by two separate in-flight shutdowns resulting from the failure of the TGB radial gearshaft. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the TGB radial gearshaft. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the aircraft. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the affected TGB radial gearshaft using Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. ER11JA22.000 (2) If, during the visual inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, discrepancies are found that meet the criteria in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(4)(a) or 3.A.(4)(b), of GE90 SB 72-1201 R01 or GE90-100 SB 72-0857 R01, before further flight, replace the TGB radial gearshaft with a part eligible for installation. (h) Definitions (1) For the purpose of this AD, an "engine shop visit" is when the compressor discharge pressure seal joint is disassembled. (2) For the purpose of this AD, a "part eligible for installation" is a TGB radial gearshaft that does not have raised material or rework on the teeth chamfers as described in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(4)(a) or 3.A.(4)(b), of GE90 SB 72-1201 R01 or GE90-100 SB 72-0857 R01. (i) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the inspection of the affected TGB radial gearshaft required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you performed the inspection before the effective date of this AD using GE GE90 SB 72-1201 R00, dated January 5, 2021, or GE GE90-100 SB 72-0857 R00, dated January 5, 2021. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, ECO 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. You may email your request 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. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Stephen Elwin, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7236; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: Stephen.L.Elwin@faa.gov. (l) 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) General Electric Company (GE) GE90 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-1201 R01, dated April 28, 2021. (ii) GE GE90-100 SB 72-0857 R01, dated April 28, 2021. (3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com; website: https://www.ge.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: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on December 9, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-00049 Filed 1-10-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P