Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 94 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26201-26202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11974]



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Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 94 / Thursday, May 15, 2003 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 26201]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-15-AD; Amendment 39-13146; AD 2003-10-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Series Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524C2-19 and RB211-524C2-B-19 series 
turbofan engines. This AD requires replacing the existing low pressure 
(LP) compressor location bearing assembly, intermediate pressure (IP) 
compressor location bearing, IP compressor bearing support housing, IP 
compressor rear stub shaft, LP compressor location bearing support, oil 
transfer connector assembly, hydraulic oil seal housing, and hydraulic 
oil seal with improved design parts. This AD is prompted by statistical 
analysis by the manufacturer of in-service premature bearing failures. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent LP compressor 
failure and uncontained disc failures, resulting in damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective June 19, 2003.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by July 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
    [sbull] By mail: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2003-NE-15-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
    [sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected]
    You may get the service information referenced in this AD from 
Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; telephone: 011-44-
1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-245-418.
    You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine And Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803-5299, telephone (781) 238-
7178; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The manufacturer has performed statistical 
analysis of in-service bearing failures in RR RB211-524C2-19 and RB211-
524C2-B-19 series turbofan engines. The analysis indicates a more rapid 
deterioration of the LP compressor location bearing assembly and IP 
compressor location bearing than the latest bearing standard used on 
other model RB211 turbofan engines. This AD requires replacing the 
existing LP compressor location bearing assembly, IP compressor 
location bearing, IP compressor bearing support housing, IP compressor 
rear stub shaft, LP compressor location bearing support, oil transfer 
connector assembly, hydraulic oil seal housing, and hydraulic oil seal 
with improved design parts. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent LP compressor failure and uncontained disc 
failures, resulting in damage to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the technical contents of RR Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (MSB) No. RB.211-72-D021, Revision 2, dated March 5, 2001, 
that introduces an improved design LP compressor location bearing 
assembly. We have also reviewed Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-
9446, dated October 15, 1993, that introduces an improved design IP 
compressor location bearing, IP compressor bearing support housing, IP 
compressor rear stub shaft, LP compressor location bearing support, oil 
transfer connector assembly, hydraulic oil seal housing, and hydraulic 
oil seal. MSB No. RB.211-72-D021, Revision 2, dated March 5, 2001, 
requires that the improved design parts listed in SB RB.211-72-9446, 
dated October 15, 1993, be installed before or concurrently with the 
installation of the improved design LP compressor location bearing 
assembly listed in SB RB.211-72-D021. The Civil Aviation Authority 
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the U.K., classified 
MSB No. RB.211-72-D021 as mandatory and issued AD 001-12-2000, dated 
December 5, 2000, in order to assure the airworthiness of these RR 
RB211-524C2-19 and RB211-524C2-B-19 series turbofan engines in the U.K.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    Although none of these affected engine models are used on any 
airplanes that are registered in the United States, the possibility 
exists that the engine models could be used on airplanes that are 
registered in the United States in the future. Since an unsafe 
condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on 
other RR RB211-524C2-19 and RB211-524C2-B-19 series turbofan engines of 
the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent LP compressor 
failure and uncontained disc failures, resulting in damage to the 
airplane. This AD requires replacing the LP compressor location bearing 
assembly, IP compressor location bearing, IP compressor bearing support 
housing, IP compressor rear stub shaft, LP compressor location bearing 
support, oil transfer connector assembly, hydraulic oil seal housing, 
and hydraulic oil seal with improved design parts.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    These engine models are manufactured in the U.K. and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec.  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.

[[Page 26202]]

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this engine 
model, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary. 
Therefore, a situation exists that allows the immediate adoption of 
this regulation.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs our AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to special flight permits, alternative 
methods of compliance, and altered products. This material previously 
was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 
14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-15-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule 
that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts us through 
a nonwritten communication, and that contact relates to a substantive 
part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in 
the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend the AD in light of those comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications with you. You may get more information about plain 
language at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that 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 the regulation:
    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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-15-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-10-02 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-13146. Docket No. 2003-NE-
15-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 19, 
2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD is applicable to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524C2-19 
and RB211-524C2-B-19 series turbofan engines. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to Boeing 747 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by statistical analysis by the 
manufacturer of in-service premature bearing failures. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent LP compressor failure 
and uncontained disc failures, resulting in damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) Compliance with this AD is required at next parts exposure, 
but not later than October 10, 2005, unless already done.

Replacement of LP Location Bearing Assembly

    (f) Replace LP compressor location bearing assembly P/N UL22848 
or UL29054 with an improved design LP compressor location bearing 
assembly. Information on the replacement of the LP compressor 
bearing assembly can be found in RR Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
RB.211-72-D021, Revision 2, dated March 5, 2001.

Concurrent Parts Replacement

    (g) Either concurrently with, or before replacing the LP 
compressor location bearing assembly as specified in paragraph (f) 
of this AD, unless already done, replace IP compressor location 
bearing, IP compressor bearing support housing, IP compressor rear 
stub shaft, LP compressor location bearing support, oil transfer 
connector assembly, hydraulic oil seal housing, and hydraulic oil 
seal, with improved design parts. Information on the replacement of 
these improved design parts can be found in RR Service Bulletin No. 
RB.211-72-9446, dated October 15, 1993.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) Alternative methods of compliance must be requested in 
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, and must be approved by the Manager, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA.

Related Information

    (i) CAA airworthiness directive 001-12-2000, dated December 5, 
2000, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 7, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-11974 Filed 5-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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