2024-06-15: 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 airworthiness directive: 2024-06-15 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22720; Docket No. FAA-2024-0771; Project Identifier AD-2023-01251-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 14, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) Model GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B engines with an installed interstage high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor seal having a part number and serial number listed in Table 1 or Table 2 of GE GE90-100 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0908 R00, dated July 7, 2023 (GE SB 72-0908). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of an aborted takeoff due to left engine failure caused by liberation of the interstage HPT rotor seal rim. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained HPT failure, release of high-energy debris, damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Perform an ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the interstage HPT rotor seal in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(2), of GE SB 72-0908, as follows: (i) Perform an initial USI before reaching the part cycles since new limit listed in Table 1 or Table 2, as applicable, of GE SB 72-0908, or within 10 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; and (ii) Repeat the USI thereafter within every 100 cycles or 175 cycles, as applicable, as listed in Table 1 or Table 2 of GE SB 72-0908, since the last inspection. (2) If, during any USI required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, a non-serviceable indication is found, as defined in paragraph 3.B.(2)(b) of GE SB 72-0908, before further flight, remove the interstage HPT rotor seal from service. (h) Mandatory Terminating Action As a terminating action to the repetitive USI required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, remove the affected interstage HPT rotor seal from service. (i) Definition For the purpose of this AD, an "engine shop visit" is the induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major mating engine case flanges, except separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of transportation of the engine without subsequent maintenance, which does not constitute an engine shop visit. (j) 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 AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, 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) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Alexander Thickstun, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (202) 267-8292; email: alexander.m.thickstun@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) General Electric Company GE90-100 Service Bulletin 72-0908 R00, dated July 7, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric Company, 1 Newman Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email: aviation.fleetsupport@ae.ge.com; website: ge.com. (4) You may view this service information at the 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 material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov . Issued on May 2, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-10093 Filed 5-6-24; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P