2022-05-08: Turbine Engine Oil System

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: 2022-05-08 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-21959; Docket No. FAA-2021-0699; Project Identifier AD-2020-01685-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 11, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF34-10E2A1, CF34-10E5, CF34-10E5A1, CF34-10E6, CF34-10E6A1, CF34-10E7, and CF34-10E7-B model turbofan engines with a stationary oil seal, part number (P/N) B1316-00453 or P/N B1316-01274, installed at the No. 1 forward bearing, that: (1) Has been repaired, overhauled, or entered into service after August 2014; and (2) Has used high thermal stability oil or high performance capability oil for 56 flight hours (FHs) or more during the life of the stationary oil seal. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7261, Turbine Engine Oil System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by investigation by the manufacturer that revealed Teflon material in the A-sump oil strainer (strainer assembly) screen after several reports of in-flight shutdowns and unscheduled engine removals. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the stationary oil seal at the No. 1 forward bearing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Before the stationary oil seal accumulates 100 FHs after the effective date of this AD, or within 100 FHs of the stationary oil seal accumulating 2,250 FHs since new, whichever occurs later, perform an initial visual inspection of the strainer assembly screen for Teflon material. Guidance on performing the visual inspection of the strainer assembly screen can be found in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1)(d), of GE CF34-10E Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0365 R04, dated April 27, 2021. (2) Thereafter, within the following compliance times, repeat the visual inspection of the strainer assembly screen required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: (i) For an affected stationary oil seal having accumulated 2,250 to 7,000 FHs since new at the time of the last inspection, repeat the visual inspection every 750 FHs. (ii) For an affected stationary oil seal having accumulated 7,001 to 10,000 FHs since new at the time of the last inspection, repeat the visual inspection every 375 FHs. (iii) For an affected stationary oil seal having accumulated more than 10,000 FHs since new at the time of the last inspection, repeat the visual inspection every 100 FHs. (3) If, based on any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, Teflon material is found in the strainer assembly screen, before further flight, remove the stationary oil seal at the No. 1 forward bearing from service and replace it with a part eligible for installation. (4) Before an affected stationary oil seal accumulates 10,000 FHs since new or within 500 FHs after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, remove the stationary oil seal at the No. 1 forward bearing from service and replace it with a part eligible for installation. (h) Terminating Action Removal of the stationary oil seal, P/N B1316-00453 or P/N B1316-01274, installed at the No. 1 forward bearing, and replacement with a part eligible for installation, constitutes terminating action for the initial and repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD. (i) Definition For the purpose of this AD, a "part eligible for installation" is a stationary oil seal that has a P/N other than P/N B1316-00453 or P/N B1316-01274. (j) Special Flight Permit A special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to permit a non-revenue ferry flight, consisting of no more than five cycles, to a location where the engine can be removed from service for operators who are prohibited from further flight due to Teflon material found in the strainer assembly screen if operators perform the actions in Appendix-A, paragraph 4.A., of GE CF34-10E SB 72-0365 R04, dated April 27, 2021, and the engine still meets the criteria in paragraph 4.A. for flying an additional five cycles. This ferry flight must be performed with only essential flight crew, without passengers, and involve non-ETOPS operations. (k) 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 (l) 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. (l) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Scott Stevenson, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: Scott.M.Stevenson@faa.gov. (m) 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) GE CF34-10E Service Bulletin 72-0365 R04, dated April 27, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For 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 February 18, 2022. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-04694 Filed 3-4-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P