AD 2002-16-18

Effective September 18, 2002.

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from CFM International, Technical Publications Department, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; telephone (513) 552-2800; fax (513) 552-2816.

James Rosa, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7152; fax (781) 238-7199.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is applicable to CFMI CFM56-5B and -7B series turbofan engines was published in the Federal Register on April 4, 2002 (67 FR 16069). That action proposed to require retirement of stage 2 LPT nozzle segments and stage 3 LPT nozzle segments, listed in Table 1 of that proposed AD, from service before accumulating 25,000 cycles-since-new (CSN), or by October 31, 2008, whichever occurs earlier.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

Three commenters request that the compliance date of October 31, 2008, be removed. This date would not provide enough engine operating time to reach scheduled major maintenance when the affected parts would be exposed.

The FAA agrees. The alternate AD compliance requirement of retiring stage 2 LPT nozzle segments and stage 3 LPT nozzle segments from service before accumulating 25,000 CSN meets the manufacturer's removal criteria. In addition, the FAA wishes to clarify that compliance with this AD is required before accumulating 25,000 CSN or at the next LPT module shop visit when either stage 2 LPT nozzle segments or stage 3 LPT nozzle segments are exposed, whichever occurs first.

After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

There are approximately 3,187 CFMI CFM56-5B and -7B series engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 910 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this AD. The FAA also estimates that it would take approximately 10 work hours per engine to perform the actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $34,984 per engine. Based on these figures, the total cost of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $32,381,440.

This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in Executive Order 13132, because it would 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. Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this final rule.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

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

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows: