2024-25-07: Turbine Engine Compressor 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: 2024-25-07 General Electric Company: Amendment 39-22909; Docket No. FAA-2024-0755; Project Identifier AD-2023-00521-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 12, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) Model GEnx-1B64, GEnx-1B64/P1, GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70, GEnx-1B70/75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx-1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-2B67/P engines with an installed: (1) Stages 6-10 compressor rotor spool (stages 6-10 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 72-0525, R01, dated June 10, 2024 (GEnx-1B SB 72-0525, R01); or (2) Stages 6-10 spool having a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 1 of GE GEnx-2B Service Bulletin 72-0460, R01, dated June 10, 2024 (GEnx-2B SB 72-0460, R01). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a manufacturer evaluation which determined that a lower life limit may be necessary for certain stages 6-10 spools than that allowed in the engine shop manual. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fracture and potential uncontained failure of the stages 6-10 spools. 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 At the next piece-part exposure after the effective date of this AD or before the affected stages 6-10 spool reaches the cyclic removal threshold specified in paragraph 4., Appendix-A, Table 1 of GEnx-1B 72-0525, R01 or GEnx-2B SB 72-0460, R01, as applicable, whichever occurs first, do the following actions: (1) Inspect the stages 6-10 spool for previously accomplished blend repairs in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(1) of GEnx-1B SB 72-0525, R01 or GEnx-2B SB 72-0460, R01, as applicable. (2) If during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, any stages 6-10 spool is found to have a previously accomplished blend repair, before further flight, inspect the blend repair for compliance with the allowable limits in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(2) of GEnx-1B SB 72-0525, R01 or GEnx-2B SB 72-0460, R01, as applicable. (3) If during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, any stages 6-10 spool is found to have a previously accomplished blend repair that is not within the allowable limits, before further flight, remove the stages 6-10 spool from service and replace with a part eligible for installation in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(2)(a)1 or 3.B.(2)(b)1 of GEnx-1B SB 72-0525, R01 or GEnx-2B SB 72-0460, R01, as applicable. (h) Definition For the purposes of this AD: (1) A "piece-part exposure" is when the stages 6-10 spool is disassembled from the high-pressure compressor rotor assembly. (2) A "part eligible for installation" is either a stages 6-10 spool that does not have a P/N and S/N identified in paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 1 of GEnx-1B 72-0525, R01 or GEnx-2B 72-0460, R01, or a stages 6-10 spool that does have a P/N and S/N identified in paragraph 4, Appendix-A, Table 1 of GEnx-1B 72-0525, R01 or GEnx-2B 72-0460, R01, provided that the affected part is not removed in accordance with paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. (i) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of this AD using GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0525, R00, dated October 4, 2023, or GEnx-2B Service Bulletin 72-0460, R00, dated October 4, 2023. (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) 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. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0525, R01, dated June 10, 2024. (ii) GE GEnx-2B Service Bulletin 72-0460, R01, dated June 10, 2024. (3) For GE material identified in this AD, contact GE 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com; website: ge.com. (4) You may view this material 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 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-locationsoremailfr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on December 6, 2024. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-00208 Filed 1-7-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P