Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-524D4 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 174 (Thursday, September 7, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54143-54145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22610]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-23-AD; Amendment 39-11888; AD 2000-18-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-524D4 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Rolls-Royce plc models RB211-524D4-19, -524D4-B-19, -
524D4-B-39, -524D4X-19, and 524D4X-B-19 turbofan engines with a cold 
stream nozzle assembly Part Number (PN) LJ32826 installed. This action 
requires inspection for cracks and repair of the cold stream nozzle 
assembly longitudinal flange. This amendment is prompted by a report of 
the loss of a large section of cold stream nozzle assembly in flight. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect cracks that 
could result in failure of the cold stream nozzle assembly, possible 
release of cold stream nozzle debris from the engine, and possible 
damage to airplane control surfaces.

DATES: Effective September 22, 2000. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of September 22, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-23-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent via the Internet 
using the following address: ``[email protected]''. Comments sent 
via the Internet must contain the docket number in the subject line.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, England; telephone: International 
Access Code 011, Country Code 44, 1332-249428, fax: International 
Access Code 011, Country Code 44, 1332-249223. This information may be 
examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone: 
(781)-238-7176, fax: (781)-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom (UK), recently 
notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211-524D4-19, -
524D4-B-19, -524D4-B-39, -524D4X-19, and -524D4X-B-19 turbofan engines 
with cold stream nozzle assembly PN LJ32826 installed. The CAA received 
a report of a cold stream nozzle assembly release from an engine that 
struck wing fairings prior to falling away from the airplane. A 
subsequent investigation of the active fleet conducted by RR revealed 
15 more instances of cracked cold stream nozzle assemblies at their 
longitudinal flange. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
detect cracks that could result in failure of the cold stream nozzle 
assembly, possible release of cold stream nozzle debris from the 
engine, and possible damage to airplane control surfaces.

Service Information

    RR has issued Service Bulletin (SB No. RB.211-78-C955 Revision 1, 
dated June 20, 2000, which specifies procedures for inspection of cold 
stream nozzle assembly longitudinal flanges. The CAA classified these 
SB's as mandatory and issued AD 005-01-2000 in response to the original 
SB to assure the airworthiness of these engines in the UK. Revision 1 
adds repeat inspection requirements to the original SB. These SB's also 
reference a Technical Variance Document that provides for repair of 
cold stream nozzle assemblies PN LJ32826 as optional terminating action 
for the inspections.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in the UK and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action 
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

Required Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other engines of the same type design registered in 
the United States, this AD is being issued to require initial and 
repetitive inspections to detect cracks in the cold stream nozzle 
assembly and to provide instructions to repair those cracks if they are 
within acceptable limits. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the SB's described previously.

Immediate Adoption

    There are currently no domestic operators of this engine model. 
Accordingly, a situation exists that allows the immediate adoption of 
this regulation. Notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon 
are unnecessary, and good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.

[[Page 54144]]

Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NE-23-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    This action 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 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this proposal.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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:

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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-18-03  Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-11888. Docket 2000-NE-23-
AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211-524D4-19, -524D4B-19, -524D4-B-39, 
-524D4X-19, and -524D4X-B-19 turbofan engines with cold stream 
nozzle assembly Part Number (PN) LJ32826 installed. These engines 
are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 747-200 and -300 series 
airplanes.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each engine identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, 
unless already done. To detect cracks that could result in the 
failure of the cold stream nozzle assembly, which could result in 
possible release of cold stream nozzle debris from the engine and 
possible impact damage to airplane control surfaces, perform the 
following inspections:

Initial Inspection

    (a) Inspect cold stream nozzle assemblies for cracks within 60 
days or 100 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever is sooner, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Sections 3.A through 3.C.(3) of RR Service Bulletin 
(SB) RB.211-78-C955, Revision 1, dated June 20, 2000.

Repetitive Inspections

    (b) Thereafter, inspect each nozzle assembly for cracks within 
1400 CIS since last inspection in accordance with Accomplishment 
Instructions, Sections 3.A. through 3.C.(3) of RR SB RB.211-78-C955, 
Revision 1.

Optional Terminating Action

    (c) Repair of cold stream nozzle assemblies PN LJ32826 on both 
left and right sides in accordance with RR SB RB.211-78-C955, 
Revision 1, dated June 20, 2000, is considered terminating action 
for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office (ECO). 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, ECO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the ECO.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) The actions required by this AD shall be performed in 
accordance with the following RR SB:

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                 Document No.                      Pages       Revision                    Date
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RB.211-78-C955................................          1-5            1  June 20, 2000
    Total pages: 5
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, 
England; telephone: International Access Code 011, Country Code 44, 
1332-249428, fax: International Access Code 011, Country Code 44, 
1332-249223. Copies may be

[[Page 54145]]

inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on September 22, 2000.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, August 24, 2000.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-22610 Filed 9-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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