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2018-19-22 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY:
Amendment 39-19423; Docket No. FAA-2018-0863; Product Identifier 2018-NE-30-AD.

(a) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This AD is effective October 25, 2018.

(b) AFFECTED ADS

    None.

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) CF34-10A16, CF34-
    10E2A1, CF34-10E5, CF34-10E5A1, CF34-10E6, CF34-10E6A1, CF34-10E7, and
    CF34-10E7-B turbofan engines  with  high-pressure turbine (HPT)  front
    rotating air seals listed in Appendices A and B of GE CF34-10E Service
    Bulletin (SB) 72-0347 R00, dated August 3, 2018,  that  were  not  in-
    spected and repaired using GE CF34-10E SB 72-0347 R00, dated August 3,
    2018.

(d) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250,  Turbine Engine Tur-
    bine Section.

(e) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This AD was  prompted by cracks  found in the  HPT front rotating  air
    seal. We  are issuing  this AD  to prevent  failure of  the HPT  front
    rotating  air  seal. The  unsafe  condition, if  not  addressed, could
    result in an uncontained release  of the HPT front rotating  air seal,
    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

(1) Remove  the  HPT  front  rotating air seal listed in Appendix A, of GE
    CF34-10E SB 72-0347 R00, dated August 3, 2018, and replace with a part
    eligible for installation within the following cycles:

(i) If the HPT front rotating air seal has 17,499 cycles  since new  (CSN)
    or more on the effective date of this AD,  remove within 250 cycles in
    service (CIS).

(ii) If  the  HPT  front rotating air seal has 16,500 to 17,498 CSN on the
     effective date of this AD,  remove  within 500 CIS  but not to exceed
     17,750 CSN.

(iii) If  the  HPT front rotating air seal has 15,500 to 16,499 CSN on the
      effective date of this AD,  remove  within 750 CIS but not to exceed
      17,000 CSN.

(iv) If  the  HPT  front rotating  air seal  has 14,500 to 15,499  on  the
     effective date of this AD,  remove within 1,000 CIS but not to exceed
     16,250 CSN.

(v) If  the  HPT  front rotating  air seal  has  12,800 to 14,499  on  the
    effective date of this AD,  remove  within 1,500 CIS but not to exceed
    15,500 CSN.

(vi) If  the  HPT  front rotating air seal has 10,800 to 12,799 CSN on the
     effective date of this AD,  remove within 2,000 CIS but not to exceed
     14,300 CSN.

(vii) If  the  HPT  front rotating air seal has 8,450 to 10,799 CSN on the
      effective date of this AD, remove within 2,500 CIS but not to exceed
      12,800 CSN.

(viii) If the  HPT front rotating air seal has fewer than 8,450 CSN on the
       effective date of this AD,  remove  at  next piece-part exposure or
       before accumulating 10,950 CSN, whichever comes first.

(2) Remove  the  HPT  front rotating air seal, listed in Appendix B, of GE
    CF34-10E SB 72-0347 R00,  dated August 3, 2018,  from  service and re-
    place with a part eligible for installation  before exceeding  the CSN
    listed in Appendix B, of GE CF34-10E SB 72-0347 R00,  dated  August 3,
    2018.

(h) DEFINITIONS

(1) For the purpose of this AD, a part that is "eligible for installation"
    is defined as:

(i) An HPT front rotating air seal  with  a  part number  (P/N) and serial
    number (S/N)  that is not listed in Appendix A or B, of GE CF34-10E SB
    72-0347 R00, dated August 3, 2018; or,

(ii) an HPT front rotating air seal with a P/N and S/N listed  in Appendix
     A or B, of GE CF34-10E SB 72-0347 R00, dated August 3, 2018, that was
     inspected and  repaired  using  GE SB CF34-10E SB 72-0347 R00,  dated
     August 3, 2018.

(2) For the purpose of this AD,  "piece-part exposure"  is  defined as the
    separation of the HPT front rotating air seal from the disk.

(i) SPECIAL FLIGHT PERMIT

    A special flight permit will not be issued.

(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. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC,  notify your appropriate principal in-
    spector, 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  Michael Richardson-Bach,
    Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington,
    MA 01803;  phone:  781-238-7747;  fax:  781-238-7199;  email: michael.
    richardson-bach@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 CF34-10E Service Bulletin 72-0347 R00,  dated
    August 3, 2018.

(ii) Reserved.

(3) For service information identified in this AD contact General Electric
    Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215;  telephone 513-552-3272;
    email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com.

(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller
    Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803.  For in-
    formation on the availability of this material at the FAA,  call  781-
    238-7759.

(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, call 202
    -741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
    locations.html.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts on September 28, 2018. Robert J Ganley
Manager,  Engine and Propeller  Standards  Branch,  Aircraft Certification
Service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Richardson-Bach,  Aerospace Engi-
neer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;  phone:
781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: michael.richardson-bach@faa.gov.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0863; Product Identifier 2018-NE-30-AD; Amendment
39-19423; AD 2018-19-22]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
General Electric Company (GE) CF34-10A16, CF34-10E2A1, CF34-10E5, CF34-
10E5A1, CF34-10E6, CF34-10E6A1, CF34-10E7, and CF34-10E7-B turbofan
engines with certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) front rotating air
seals. This AD requires replacement of the affected HPT front rotating
air seal. This AD was prompted by cracks found in the HPT front
rotating air seal. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 25, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 25,
2018.
We must receive comments on this AD by November 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this final rule, contact
General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215;
telephone 513-552-3272; email: aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com. You may
view this service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7759. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0863.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0863; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations (phone:
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Richardson-Bach, Aerospace
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: michael.richardson-bach@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We received a report that multiple cracks were found in the HPT
front rotating air seal during a scheduled shop visit. After further
investigation, GE determined that a rabbet surface on certain parts was
not shot-peened after machining during the original manufacturing. The
lack of shot-peening caused the parts to be more susceptible to crack
initiation. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
uncontained HPT front rotating air seal release, damage to the engine,
and damage to the airplane. We are issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed GE CF34-10E Service Bulletin (SB) 72-0347 R00, dated
August 3, 2018. The SB describes procedures for inspection and repair
or replacement of the affected HPT front rotating air seals. This
service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

This AD requires replacement of the affected HPT front rotating air
seal.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

GE CF34-10E SB 72-0347 R00, dated August 3, 2018, recommends
inspecting affected HPT front rotating air seal and repairing parts
that do not have linear indications. This AD does not require
inspecting or repairing the affected HPT front rotating air seal but
allows installation of parts that have been inspected and repaired.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the compliance time for the required action is shorter than the
time necessary for the public to comment and for us to publish the
final rule. The highest risk HPT front rotating air seals must be
removed within approximately one month to ensure that they are replaced
before cracks develop that could result in the failure of these seals.
Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reasons stated
above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2018-
0863 and Product Identifier 2018-NE-30-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
final rule because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about
this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects three engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Cost on U.S. operators
Replace the HPT front rotating air seal 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170
$243,700
$243,870
$731,610

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs''
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):