2022-13-12: Turbine Engine Combustion Section

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: 2022-13-12 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22098; Docket No. FAA-2022-0691; Project Identifier AD-2022-00601-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 14, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE Passport 20-17BB1A, GE Passport 20-18BB1A, and GE Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine Combustion Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by multiple engine fires that have occurred as a result of fuel leakage from the fuel nozzle to fuel manifold coupling nut connections. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fuel leakage from the fuel nozzle to fuel manifold coupling nut connections. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine fire, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For all affected engines, within the compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the core compartment for indications of fuel leakage, undetected fire, and heat distress: (i) For engines with less than or equal to 150 cycles since new (CSN) as of the effective date of this AD, inspect before exceeding 30 flight cycles (FCs) after the effective date of this AD. (ii) For engines with 151 to 200 CSN as of the effective date of this AD, inspect before exceeding 50 FCs after the effective date of this AD. (iii) For engines with greater than 200 CSN as of the effective date of this AD, inspect before exceeding 75 FCs after the effective date of this AD. Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD can be found in GE Service Bulletin (SB) PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0141-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 000, dated April 12, 2022, or GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated May 11, 2022 (GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D). (2) If, during the visual inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, there are indications of fuel leakage, undetected fire, or heat distress, before further flight, perform applicable maintenance in accordance with the FAA-approved instructions for continued airworthiness. (3) For engines with engine serial number (ESN) 904257 or higher, before exceeding 30 FCs after the effective date of the AD, re-torque the core compartment coupling nuts in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (8) through (24) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D. (4) For engines with ESN 904256 or lower, before exceeding 100 FCs after the effective date of the AD, re-torque the core compartment coupling nuts in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (8) through (24) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D. (5) For all affected engines, before further flight after performing the required actions in paragraph (g)(3) or (4), as applicable, perform a ground power assurance check and a borescope inspection of the core compartment in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (32) through (38) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D. (h) Exception to the Service Information Where GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D specifies contacting "your GE field service engineer or 24/7 Business Aviation Support," this AD requires the engine to be serviced using FAA-approved maintenance procedures. (i) No Reporting Requirements The reporting requirements in the Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (11), (14), (18), (20), (23) and (36) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D are not required by this AD. (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 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. (k) 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; email: Scott.M.Stevenson@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) GE Service Bulletin PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D, Issue No 001, dated May 11, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) 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: 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 June 14, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-13710 Filed 6-28-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P