2023-17-08: Turbine 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: 2023-17-08 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22534; Docket No. FAA-2023-0663; Project Identifier AD-2023-00020-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 23, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) Model GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, and GEnx-2B67/P engines with an installed: (1) Stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool having a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) listed in paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 1 of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0515, R00, dated January 31, 2023 (GEnx-1B 72-0515 R00); or (2) Forward seal having a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 2 of GEnx-1B 72-0515 R00; or (3) Stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool having a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 1 of GE GEnx-2B Service Bulletin 72-0452, R00, dated January 31, 2023. (GEnx-2B 72-0452 R00); or (4) Forward seal having a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 2 of GEnx-2B 72-0452 R00. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section; 7250, Turbine Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and forward seals were subject to iron inclusion introduced during the manufacturing process. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fracture and potential uncontained failure of certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools and forward seals. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained debris release, damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For affected Model GEnx-1B engines, at the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD, or before the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool reaches the cyclic removal threshold listed in paragraph 4., Appendix-A, Table 1 of GEnx-1B 72-0515 R00, whichever occurs first, remove the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool from service and replace with a part eligible for installation. (2) For affected Model GEnx-1B engines, at the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD, or before the affected forward seal exceeds the cyclic removal threshold listed in paragraph 4., Appendix-A, Table 2 of GEnx-1B 72-0515 R00, whichever occurs first, remove the affected forward seal from service and replace with a part eligible for installation. (3) For affected Model GEnx-2B engines, at the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD, or before the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool exceeds the cyclic removal threshold listed in paragraph 4., Appendix-A, Table 1 of GEnx-2B 72-0452 R00, whichever occurs first, remove the affected stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool from service and replace with a part eligible for installation. (4) For affected Model GEnx-2B engines, at the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD, or before the affected forward seal exceeds the cyclic removal threshold listed in paragraph 4., Appendix-A, Table 2 of GEnx-2B 72-0452 R00, whichever occurs first, remove the affected forward seal from service and replace with a part eligible for installation. (h) Definitions (1) For the purpose of this AD, a "part eligible for installation" is any stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool or forward seal with a P/N and S/N not listed in paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 1 or paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 2 of GEnx-1B 72-0515 R00 or GEnx-2B 72-0452 R00. (2) For the purpose of this AD, "piece-part exposure" is when the affected part is removed from the engine. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 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 Alexei Marqueen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7178; email: alexei.t.marqueen@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) General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0515, R00, dated January 31, 2023. (ii) GE GEnx-2B Service Bulletin 72-0452, R00, dated January 31, 2023. (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: geaviation.com/support. (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 August 24, 2023. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-20063 Filed 9-15-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P