Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 500, 700 and 800 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10415-10417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1827]



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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 40 / Wednesday, March 1, 2006 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 10415]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23604, Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-49-AD; 
Amendment 39-14498; AD 2006-05-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 500, 700 
and 800 Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 500, 700, and 800 series turbofan 
engines. This AD requires inspecting all engines to determine those 
that are equipped with a suspect oil filler cap assembly. This AD also 
requires, within seven days of the effective date of this AD, an 
initial and repetitive check of oil cap security following oil 
servicing of multiple-engine airplanes having more than one suspect oil 
filler cap assembly installed. Finally, this AD requires replacing 
affected oil filler cap assemblies. This AD results from four in-
service oil loss events since March 2005, following failures to 
properly install the oil tank filler cap after oil servicing. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent oil loss that could result in multiple 
engine in-flight shutdowns during a flight.

DATES: Effective March 16, 2006.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by May 1, 2006.

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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), 
on behalf of the United Kingdom, recently notified us that an unsafe 
condition might exist on RR RB211 Trent 500, 700, and 800 series 
turbofan engines. EASA advises that four in-service oil loss events 
have occurred since March 2005, after failures to properly install the 
oil tank filler cap after oil servicing. An unseated O-ring compromised 
the secondary sealing feature (flap valve) of the oil tank filler 
assembly, which would have prevented significant loss of oil on these 
engines during flight. The manufacturer omitted an optional notch on 
the O-ring locating slot of the filler cap. They have since determined 
that omitting the notch can cause the O-ring to unseat during flight. 
The manufacturer has identified a suspect group of affected oil filler 
cap assemblies that must be replaced. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
oil loss that could result in multiple engine in-flight shutdowns 
during a flight.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    These RR RB211 Trent 500, 700, and 800 series engines are 
manufactured in the United Kingdom 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, EASA kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. 
We have examined the findings of the EASA, 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 500, 700, and 800 series engines of the same type 
design. We are issuing this AD to prevent oil loss that could result in 
multiple engine in-flight shutdowns. This AD requires inspection of all 
engines to determine those that are equipped with a suspect oil filler 
cap assembly. This AD also requires, within seven days of the effective 
date of this AD, an initial and repetitive check of oil cap security 
following oil servicing of multiple-engine airplanes having more than 
one suspect oil filler cap assembly installed. Finally, this AD 
requires replacement of the suspect group of oil filler cap assemblies. 
You must use the service information described previously to perform 
the actions required by this AD.

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-2006-23604; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-49-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy

[[Page 10416]]

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 DMS 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 
Facility Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket 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 DMS 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 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:

2006-05-01 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-14498. Docket No. FAA-2006-
23604; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-49-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 
16, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 553-61, 556B-
61, 556-61, 560-61, 553A2-61, 556A2-61, 556B2-61, 560A2-61, 768-60, 
772-60, 772B-60, 892-17, 884-17, 892B-17, 895-17, 675-17, 884B-17, 
and 877-17 turbofan engines with oil filler cap assembly part number 
(P/N) 436-408-2 and serial numbers (SNs) 1156 through 1410 not 
marked with the letter ``R'' next to the SN. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A340-541, A340-642, A330-
243, A330-341, A330-342, and Boeing 777 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from four in-service oil loss events since 
March 2005, following failures to properly install the oil tank 
filler cap after oil servicing. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
oil loss that could result in multiple engine in-flight shutdowns 
during a flight.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Identification of Affected Engines

    (f) Identify all engines with oil filler cap assembly, P/N 436-
408-2, and SNs 1156 through 1410, not marked with the letter ``R'' 
next to the SN.

Independent Inspection

    (g) Within seven days after the effective date of this AD, 
conduct an independent inspection for security of the oil filler cap 
after oil servicing on any airplane with more than one of the 
affected oil filler cap assemblies installed.
    (h) Repeat the inspection after every oil servicing.

Replacement of Affected Oil Filler Cap Assemblies

    (i) Replace affected oil filler cap assemblies as follows:
    (1) For Trent 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 892-17, 884-17, 892B-17, 
895-17, 675-17, 884B-17, and 877-17 turbofan engines with two 
affected oil filler cap assemblies on the same airplane, replace one 
oil filler cap assembly within 75 days after the effective date of 
this AD, and the other within 165 days after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (2) For Trent 553-61, 556B-61, 556-61, 560-61, 553A2-61, 556A2-
61, 556B2-61, 560A2-61 turbofan engines in position 1 or 4, replace 
the affected oil filler cap assemblies within 75 days after the 
effective date of this AD, and
    (3) For Trent 553-61, 556B-61, 556-61, 560-61, 553A2-61, 556A2-
61, 556B2-61, 560A2-61 engines in position 2 or 3, replace the 
affected oil filler cap assemblies within 165 days after the 
effective date of this AD.

Definition

    (j) For the purposes of this AD, an ``independent inspection'' 
means inspection and confirmation by a qualified person who was not 
involved in the original oil servicing.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (k) 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

    (l) Information on replacing the oil filler cap can be found in 
Rolls-Royce Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-79-AE964, 
dated October 13, 2005.
    (m) EASA airworthiness directive 2005-0025, dated October 26, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.


[[Page 10417]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 22, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1827 Filed 2-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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