2023-02-05: 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: 2023-02-05 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22312; Docket No. FAA-2019-0766; Project Identifier 2019-NE-23-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 14, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (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, including engine models marked on engine data plate as CF34-8C5/B, CF34-8C5/M, CF34-8C5A1/B, CF34-8C5A1/M, CF34-8C5B1/B, CF34-8C5A2/B, and CF34-8C5A2/M. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine Combustion Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a predicted reduction in the cyclic life of the combustion chamber assembly aft flange. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the combustion chamber assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in combustion chamber assemblies failing before reaching their published life limit, uncontained release of the combustion chamber assembly, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine manual (EM) and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the following requirements for fluorescent penetrant inspections of the combustion chamber assembly aft flange. (1) For combustion chamber assemblies with part numbers (P/Ns) 4145T11G08, 4145T11G09, 4180T27G01, or 4180T27G03 installed on GE CF34-8E model turbofan engines: (i) Replace Table 801, Static Structures-Life Limits (Table 801), with the revised Table 801 in TASK 05-11-05-200-801, dated March 4, 2021, from ESM 05-11-05 Static Structures-Life Limits (TASK 05-11-05-200-801), of GE CF34-8E EM GEK112031, Rev 43, dated April 1, 2022 (GE CF34-8E EM GEK112031), and (ii) Add TASK 05-21-03-200-801, dated April 1, 2019, from ESM 05-21-03 Airworthiness Limitations-Mandatory Inspection 001 (TASK 05-21-03-200-801), of GE CF34-8E EM GEK112031. Where the notes to Tables 801 and 802, included in TASK 05-21-03-200-801 of GE CF34-8E EM GEK112031, specify to perform the inspection within 2,200 cycles from the issuance date of the temporary revision (TR), this AD requires performing the inspection within 2,200 cycles from the effective date of this AD. (2) For combustion chamber assemblies with P/Ns 4126T87G04, 4126T87G05, 4126T87G07, 4126T87G08, 4180T27G04, 4923T82G01, or 4923T82G02 installed on GE CF34-8C1 model turbofan engines, or with P/Ns 4145T11G08, 4145T11G10, 4180T27G02, 4180T27G04, or 4923T82G02 installed on GE CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5/M, CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5A1/M, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A2/M, CF34-8C5A3, or CF34-8C5B1 model turbofan engines: (i) Replace Tables 801 (for -8C1) and 802 (for -8C5) Static Structures-Life Limits (Table 801 and Table 802), with the revised Tables 801 and 802 in TASK 05-11-05-200-801, dated March 4, 2021, from ESM 05-11- 05 Static Structures-Life Limits (TASK 05-11-05-200-801), of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091, Rev 51, dated April 1, 2022 (GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091); and (ii) Add TASK 05-21-03-200-801, dated April 1, 2019, from ESM 05-21-03 Airworthiness Limitations-Mandatory Inspection 001 (TASK 05-21-03-200-801), of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091. Where the notes to Tables 801, 802, 803, 804, and 805, included in TASK 05-21-03-200-801 of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091, specify to perform the inspection within 2,200 cycles from the issuance date of the TR, this AD requires performing the inspection within 2,200 cycles from the effective date of this AD. (3) For combustion chamber assemblies with P/Ns 4145T11G08, 4145T11G10, 4180T27G02, 4180T27G04, or 4923T82G02 installed on GE CF34-8C5B1/B, CF34-8C5/B, CF34-8C5A1/B, or CF34-8C5A2/B model turbofan engines: (i) Replace Table 801 (for/B -8C5) Static Structures-Life Limits with the revised Table 801 in TASK 05-11-25-200-801, of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091; and (ii) Add TASK-05-21-03-200-801, of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091. Where the notes to Tables 801, 802, 803, 804, and 805, included in TASK 05-21-03-200-801 of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091, specify to perform the inspection within 2,200 cycles from the issuance date of the TR, this AD requires performing the inspection within 2,200 cycles from the effective date of this AD. (4) After performing the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD, except as provided in paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative life limits may be approved. (h) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for revising the ALS of the existing EM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD if the actions were completed before the effective date of this AD using GE CF34-8E EM TR 05-0085, dated February 21, 2019; GE CF34-8C TR 05-0141, dated February 21, 2019; GE CF34-8C TR 05-0143, dated February 13, 2019; GE CF34-8E TR 05-0086, dated February 13, 2019; or GE CF34-8C TR 05-0142, dated February 13, 2019. (i) 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 (j) of this AD and email it 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. (j) 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 . (k) 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) TASK 05-11-05-200-801, dated March 4, 2021, from ESM 05-11-05 Static Structures-Life Limits, of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091, Rev 51, dated April 1, 2022. (ii) TASK 05-11-05-200-801, dated March 4, 2021, from ESM 05-11-05 Static Structures-Life Limits, of GE CF34-8E EM GEK112031, Rev 43, dated April 1, 2022. (iii) TASK 05-11-25-200-801, dated November 3, 2020, from ESM 05-11-25 Static Structures-BJ Life Limits, of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091, Rev 51, dated April 1, 2022. (iv) TASK 05-21-03-200-801, dated April 1, 2019, from ESM 05-21-03 Airworthiness Limitations-Mandatory Inspection 001, of GE CF34-8C EM GEK105091, Rev 51, dated April 1, 2022. (v) TASK 05-21-03-200-801, dated April 1, 2019, from ESM 05-21-03 Airworthiness Limitations-Mandatory Inspection 001, of GE CF34-8E EM GEK112031, Rev 43, dated April 1, 2022. (3) For GE 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: 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on January 19, 2023. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-02512 Filed 2-6-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P