2022-09-14: Compressor Bleed Valve

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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2019-22-05, Amendment 39-19784 (84 FR 63569, November 18, 2019); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-09-14 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22034; Docket No. FAA-2021-1167; Project Identifier AD-2021-00823-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 24, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2019-22-05, Amendment 39-19784 (84 FR 63569, November 18, 2019). (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5B1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 model turbofan engines. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7532, Compressor Bleed Valve. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by multiple reports of fuel leaks, some leading to engine fires, which have occurred as a result of malfunctions related to the operability bleed valve (OBV). The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the OBV. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an engine fire and damage to the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5A1, and CF34-8C5B1 model turbofan engines with serial numbers (S/Ns): 965101 through 965670 inclusive; 194101 through 194999 inclusive; and 195101 through 195653 inclusive: (i) Within 880 flight hours (FHs) since the previous inspection, 500 FHs after December 23, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-22-05), or 6,880 FHs since new, whichever occurs later, inspect the OBV bleed air manifold link rod assemblies, the OBV fuel fittings, and the OBV fuel tubes. (ii) Thereafter, within every 880 FHs since the previous inspection, perform additional repeat inspections of the OBV bleed air manifold link rod assemblies, the OBV fuel fittings, and the OBV fuel tubes. (iii) Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of GE CF34-8C Service Bulletin (SB) 75-0020 R04, dated May 10, 2019 (GE SB 75-0020), to perform inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD and, per the inspection criteria in paragraph 3.B., of GE SB 75-0020 (the inspection criteria), do the following: (A) Before further flight, if fuel leakage is observed at the OBV fuel fittings or the OBV fuel fittings are loose, replace the OBV with a part eligible for installation. (B) Before further flight, if any OBV fuel tube clamp is found to be outside the inspection criteria, re-torque the OBV fuel tube clamp or replace the OBV fuel tube clamp. (C) Within 50 flight cycles (FCs) after the inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD, replace any link rod hardware found to be outside the inspection criteria. Until the worn link rod hardware is replaced, the OBV fuel fittings must be inspected before the first flight of each day for leakage and looseness in accordance with the inspection criteria. If the OBV fuel fittings fail to meet the inspection criteria, before further flight, replace the OBV and worn link rod hardware. (2) For CF34-8C5B1 model turbofan engines with S/Ns not listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD and for all CF34-8C5A2 and CF34-8C5A3 model turbofan engines, perform the following: (i) Within 880 FHs after the effective date of this AD or prior to accumulating 6,880 FHs since new, whichever occurs later, perform an initial inspection of the OBV bleed air manifold link rod assemblies, OBV fuel fittings, and OBV fuel tubes. (ii) Thereafter, within every 880 FHs since the last inspection, repeat the inspection of the OBV bleed air manifold link rod assemblies, OBV fuel fittings, and OBV fuel tubes. (iii) Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of GE SB 75-0020, to perform the inspections in paragraph (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD and, per the inspection criteria in paragraph 3.B., of GE SB 75-0020, do the following: (A) Before further flight, if fuel leakage is observed at the OBV fuel fittings or the OBV fuel fittings are loose, replace the OBV with a part eligible for installation. (B) Before further flight, if any OBV fuel tube clamp is found to be outside the inspection criteria, re-torque the OBV fuel tube clamp or replace the OBV fuel tube clamp. (C) Within 50 FCs after the inspections required by paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, replace any link rod hardware found to be outside the inspection criteria. Until the worn link rod hardware is replaced, the OBV fuel fittings must be inspected before the first flight of each day for leakage and looseness in accordance with the inspection criteria. If the OBV fuel fittings fail to meet the inspection criteria, before further flight, replace the OBV and worn link rod hardware. (3) For all affected engines with an installed OBV, VIN 5000728-104 part number (P/N) (P/N 4123T71P02), VIN 5000728-106 (P/N 4123T71P03), or VIN 5080046-101 (P/N 4123T71P04), having an OBV S/N listed in Appendix A, paragraph 4., of GE CF34-8C SB 75-0025 R01, dated August 1, 2019 (GE SB 75-0025), or Appendix A, paragraph 4., of GE CF34-8E SB 75-0019 R01, dated August 1, 2019 (GE SB 75-0019), respectively, within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, remove the OBV and replace with a part eligible for installation. (4) For all affected engines with an installed OBV, VIN 5000728-104 (P/N 4123T71P02), VIN 5000728-106 (P/N 4123T71P03), or VIN 5080046-101 (P/N 4123T71P04), having an OBV S/N not listed in Appendix A, paragraph 4., of GE SB 75-0025 or Appendix A, paragraph 4., of GE SB 75-0019, respectively, remove the OBV and replace with a part eligible for installation within the following compliance times: (i) For an OBV that has accumulated more than 25,000 FHs since new as of the effective date of this AD, remove and replace the OBV within 16 months of the effective date of this AD. (ii) For an OBV that has accumulated between 12,500 to 25,000 FHs since new, inclusive, as of the effective date of this AD, remove and replace the OBV within 32 months of the effective date of this AD. (iii) For an OBV with fewer than 12,500 FHs since new as of the effective date of this AD, remove and replace the OBV within 48 months of the effective date of this AD. (5) For all affected engines with an installed OBV, VIN 5080046-102 (P/N 4123T71P05), before the OBV accumulates 25,000 FHs since new or within 10 years of the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the OBV and replace with a part eligible for installation. (6) For all affected engines with an installed OBV, if the accumulated FHs since new of the OBV is unknown, use the FHs since new of the engine. (7) If the OBV was upgraded or the OBV cap was replaced using the service information identified in paragraph 1., Planning Information, paragraph C., Compliance, of GE CF34-8E SB 75-0021 R00, dated February 21, 2020, the accumulated FHs since the OBV was upgraded or accumulated FHs since the OBV cap was replaced, as applicable, may be used instead of accumulated FHs since new of the OBV. (h) Terminating Action Installation of an OBV that meets the definition of a part eligible for installation in paragraph (i) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the 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 an OBV VIN 5080046-103 (P/N 4123T71P06) or an OBV reworked to VIN 5080046-103 (P/N 4123T71P06). (j) No Reporting Requirement The reporting instructions specified in GE SB 75-0020 are not required by this AD. (k) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the initial inspection required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (2)(i) of this AD if you performed this initial inspection before the effective of this AD using GE CF34-8C SB 75-0019 R01, dated October 24, 2017, or R00, dated August 4, 2017; or GE CF34-8C-AL S/B 75-0020, Revision 03, dated December 14, 2018, as applicable. (l) 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 ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (m) 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. (m) 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. (n) 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. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on June 24, 2022. (i) GE CF34-8C Service Bulletin (SB) 75-0025 R01, dated August 1, 2019. (ii) GE CF34-8E SB 75-0019 R01, dated August 1, 2019. (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 23, 2019 (84 FR 63569, November 18, 2019). (i) GE CF34-8C SB 75-0020 R04, dated May 10, 2019. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com; website: https://www.ge.com. (6) 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. (7) 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 May 16, 2022. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-10782 Filed 5-19-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P