DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0352; Product Identifier 2019-NE-09-AD; Amendment
39-19705; AD 2019-16-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; GE Honda Aero Engines Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all
GE Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) HF120 model turbofan engines with a
certain fuel pump metering unit (FPMU) assembly. This AD was prompted
by damage found on the permanent magnetic alternator (PMA) drive gear
within the FPMU assembly. This AD requires removal of a certain FPMU
assembly and its replacement with a part eligible for installation. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 13, 2019.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact GE Honda Aero Engines, LLC, 9050 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite
350, West Chester, OH, 45069; phone 513-552-7820; email: info@honda-
aero.com; internet: www.gehonda.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-2019-0352.
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-2019-
0352; 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 address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
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
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all GHAE HF120 model
turbofan engines with a certain FPMU assembly. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on May 21, 2019 (84 FR 22986). The NPRM was
prompted by an incident on a flight test engine that resulted in the
loss of over-speed protection warning. GHAE's subsequent investigation
found damage on the PMA drive gear teeth within the FPMU assembly,
which was likely due to dynamic loads on the drive gear that exceeded
the material capability. The NPRM proposed to require removal of a
certain FPMU assembly and its replacement with a part eligible for
installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Update Service Information
GHAE commented that the Related Service Information section of the
NPRM refers to ``GHAE HF120 Service Bulletin (SB) 73-0016 R01, dated
November 08, 2018.'' GHAE recommended that the FAA revise the AD to
refer to Revision 02, dated May 13, 2019. GHAE noted that GHAE HF120 SB
73-0016 R02 clarifies the interchangeability statement to eliminate
confusion as to the FPMU part numbers that are eligible for
installation.
The FAA agrees. The FAA revised the Related Service Information
paragraph in this AD to refer to GHAE HF120 SB 73-0016 R02, dated May
13, 2019.
Request To Revise JASC Code
GHAE commented that it considers the FPMU an engine fuel control,
falling under JASC Code 7321, Fuel Control/Turbine Engines. GHAE
classifies the FPMU as 73-21-00 in its Engine Illustrated Parts
Catalog. GHAE therefore recommended that the FAA change the JASC Code
from 7314, Engine Fuel Pump, to 7321, Fuel Control/Turbine Engines.
The FAA agrees. The FAA revised the JASC Code in this AD as
suggested by the commenter.
Request To Update Address
GHAE commented that the GHAE business address listed in the NPRM is
incorrect. GHAE indicated its office suite number has changed. GHAE
requested that the FAA change the address in this AD to Suite 350.
The FAA agrees. The FAA updated the address in this AD as suggested
by the commenter.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed except for minor editorial
changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed GHAE HF120 SB 73-0016 R02, dated May 13, 2019. The
SB describes procedures for replacement of the FPMU assembly with a
part eligible for installation.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 161 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates 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 FPMU |
6.5 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $552.50 |
$50,000
|
$50,552.50
|
$8,138,952.50
|
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.
The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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):
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