AD 2015-23-04

This AD is effective December 17, 2015.

For service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric Company, GE Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: 513-552-3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Christopher McGuire, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7120; fax: 781-238-7199; email: chris.mcguire@faa.gov.

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all GE GEnx-1B turbofan engine models. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 17, 2015 (80 FR 34560). The NPRM was prompted by multiple reports of engine oil loss and resultant flight plan diversions. The NPRM proposed to require removal and replacement of the non-conforming ball valve in the oil filler cap. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (80 FR 34560, June 17, 2015) and the FAA's response to each comment.

One individual commenter expressed support for the NPRM (80 FR 34560, June 17, 2015).

American Airlines (American) requested that paragraph (c) Applicability be changed. American stated that the part number and the post-SB markings are located on the oil filler cap scupper not on the oil filler cap itself. American indicated that this change would improve clarity and accomplishment of the AD.

We agree. We revised paragraph (c), Applicability, of this AD to read: “This AD applies to all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B model turbofan engines with oil filler cap, part number (P/N) 2349M62G01, installed, that do not contain any of the following markings after the P/N on the oil filler cap scupper: “P/M BALL PP,” or “RW,” or “79-0022.”

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD with the change described previously. We determined that this change will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

We reviewed GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin (SB) No. 79-0022, Revision 1, dated May 13, 2015. The SB describes procedures for removing and replacing the ball valve in the oil filler cap.

We estimate that this AD affects 86 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 hour per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $11 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $8,256.

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 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.

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

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

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