Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Models RB211 Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 130 (Friday, July 8, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39412-39413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13425]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21730; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-18-AD; 
Amendment 39-14186; AD 2005-14-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Models RB211 Trent 768-
60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211 Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 
772B-60 turbofan engines. This AD requires removal of certain Engine 
Electronic Controller (EEC) part numbers from service. This AD results 
from nine reports of loss of engine parameters displayed in the 
airplane cockpit, with the simultaneous loss of capability to change 
thrust of the affected engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss 
of airplane control after an aborted takeoff due to asymmetric thrust.

DATES: Effective July 25, 2005.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by September 6, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom (UK), recently 
notified us that an unsafe condition might exist on Rolls-Royce plc 
RB211 Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan engines. 
The CAA advises that there have been nine reports of loss of engine 
parameters displayed in the airplane cockpit, with the simultaneous 
loss of capability to change thrust of the affected engine. RR's 
investigation established the cause of these conditions to be a fault 
in the EEC software. RR has determined that if this condition occurs 
during takeoff roll and in response, the crew attempts to abort the 
takeoff, hazardous asymmetric thrust could occur.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    These RR RB211 Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 
turbofan engines are manufactured in the UK and are 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. Under this bilateral 
airworthiness agreement, the CAA kept the FAA informed of the situation 
described above. We have 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    Although no airplanes that are registered in the United States use 
these engines, the possibility exists that the engines could be used on 
airplanes that are registered in the United States in the future. The 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on 
other RR RB211 Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan 
engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss 
of airplane control after an aborted takeoff due to asymmetric thrust. 
This AD requires removal of certain EEC part numbers from service.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

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

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 send us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2005-21730; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-18-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the Docket 
Management System Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in 
any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the 
comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, 
labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 
19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management

[[Page 39413]]

Facility Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility Office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the 
Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address 
stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after the Docket Management Facility Office receives them.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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.

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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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:

2005-14-09 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-14186. Docket No. FAA-2005-
21730; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-18-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 25, 
2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Model RB211 Trent 
768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan engines with Engine 
Electronic Controllers (EECs) listed by P/N in the following Table 
1:

                   Table 1.--Affected EEC Part Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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EEC2000.06.BB.1
EEC2000-06-BE-1
EEC2000-06-BG-1
EEC2000-06-BH-1
EEC2000-06-BL-1
EEC2000-06-BM-1
EEC2000.07.BB.1
EEC2000-07-BE-1
EEC2000-07-BG-1
EEC2000-07-BH-1
EEC2000-07-BL-1
EEC2000-07-BM-1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A330 
series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from nine reports of loss of engine 
parameters displayed in the airplane cockpit, with the simultaneous 
loss of capability to change thrust of the affected engine. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent loss of airplane control after an aborted 
takeoff due to asymmetric thrust.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed before July 31, 2006, unless the actions have already 
been done.

Removal From Service of EECs

    (f) Remove from service the EECs with part numbers listed in 
Table 1 of this AD.
    (g) Information on the EEC software changes can be found in 
Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AE324, Revision 2, 
dated November 1, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (i) CAA airworthiness directive G-2004-0025, dated October 27, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 1, 2005.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-13425 Filed 7-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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