Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 892, 892B, and 895 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 28, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36803-36804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13185]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-12-AD; Amendment 39-12761; AD 2002-10-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 875, 877, 
884, 892, 892B, and 895 Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that 
is applicable to Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 892, 892B, 
and 895 series turbofan engines. This amendment requires reapplication 
of dry film lubricant to low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade roots. 
This amendment is prompted by an aborted take-off resulting from LPC 
fan blade loss. Since this event, four additional cracked LPC fan blade 
roots have been reported. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent LPC fan blade loss, which could result in an uncontained 
engine failure and possible aircraft damage.

DATES: Effective date July 2, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Information regarding this action may be examined, by 
appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Mead, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone: (781) 
238-7744, fax: (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 892, 892B, and 
895 series turbofan engines was published in the Federal Register on 
December 6, 2001 (66 FR 63341). That action proposed to require 
reapplication of dry film lubricant to low pressure compressor (LPC) 
fan blade roots.

Comments

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

Wording Clarification

    One commenter suggests that the word ``installation'' in Table 1 of 
the compliance section, be replaced with the words ``new or last 
lubrication.'' The commenter is concerned that the word 
``installation'' does not ensure AD compliance at installation.
    The FAA agrees. The wording in Table 1 has been changed because the 
suggested wording ensures that lubrication of the blade root is the 
proper criteria to use.

Typographical Errors

    One commenter requests ``LPT'' be changed to correctly read ``LPC'' 
in Table 1, and ``Dow Corning 321R (Rolls-Royce (RR) Omat item 4/52)'' 
be changed to correctly read Dow Corning 321R (Rolls-Royce (RR) Omat 
item 4/51)'' in paragraph (a).
    The FAA agrees and has made these corrections in the final rule.

Update Terminology

    One commenter suggests that the word ``inspect'' is not applicable 
in paragraph (b), and should be replaced with the word ``lubricate.'' 
The AD is applicable to blade root lubrication.
    The FAA agrees and has changed paragraph (b) in the final rule to 
state that on the effective date of the AD, blades with more cycles 
than the initial compliance criteria listed in Table 1 of this AD must 
be lubricated within 100 cycles-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD.
    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.

Economic Analysis

    The FAA estimates that 100 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this AD. The FAA also estimates that it 
would take approximately 6 work hours per engine to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the total labor cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $36,000 to accomplish each application of 
lubricant. The FAA estimates that operators will apply lubricant an 
average of 1.5 times per year, making the total annual cost of 
compliance with this AD $54,000.

Regulatory Analysis

    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

[[Page 36804]]

``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) if promulgated, 
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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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.


[sect] 39.13  [Amended]

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

2002-10-15 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-12761. Docket No. 2001-NE-
12-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Rolls-Royce 
plc RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 892, 892B, and 895 series turbofan 
engines with low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade part numbers: 
FK 30838, FK30840, FK30842, FW12960, FW12961, FW12962, FW13175, or 
FW18548. These engines are installed on, but not limited to Boeing 
777 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 (c) 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 prevent LPC fan blade loss, which could result in an 
uncontained engine failure and possible aircraft damage, do the 
following:

        Table 1.7--Initial and Repetitive Application Thresholds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Initial compliance        Repetitive
   LPC fan blade part Nos.          criteria         compliance criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FK30842, FK30840, and         Before achieving 600  Repeat at intervals
 FK30838.                      cycles-since-new or   not exceeding 600
                               -last application.    cycles-since-last
                                                     compliance
FW12961, FW12960, FW12962,    Before achieving      Repeat at intervals
 FW13175, and FW18548.         1,200 cycles-since-   not exceeding 1,200
                               new or -last          cycles-since-last
                               application.          compliance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (a) Apply an approved dry film lubricant to LPC fan blade roots 
as specified in Table 1 above. Aircraft Maintenance Manual task 72-
31-11-300-801-R00 (Repair Scheme FRS A031 by air spray method only) 
or Engine Manual task 72-31-11-R001 (Repair Scheme FRS A028) contain 
procedures for renewing the dry film lubricant on the blade roots. 
For purposes of this AD, approved lubricants are Dow Corning 321R 
(Rolls-Royce (RR) Omat item 4/51), Rocol Dry Moly Spray (RR Omat 
item 4/52), Molydag 709 (RR Omat item 444), or PL.237/R1 (RR Omat 
item 4/43).

Fan Blades Exceeding Initial Application Thresholds

    (b) On the effective date of the AD, blades with more cycles 
than the initial compliance criteria listed in Table 1 of this AD 
must be lubricated within 100 cycles-in-service after the effective 
date of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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 must submit their request 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 airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the ECO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
[sect][sect] 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location 
where the requirements of this AD can be done.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Civil Aviation 
Authority Airworthiness Directive 001-03-2001, dated March 2, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 2, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 16, 2002.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-13185 Filed 5-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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