Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 768-60 and Trent 772-60 Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20229-20231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8469]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0233; Directorate Identifier 98-ANE-10-AD; 
Amendment 39-16660; AD 2011-08-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 768-60 
and Trent 772-60 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for RR RB211-Trent 700 series turbofan engines. That AD currently 
requires, for the step aside gearbox (SAGB), repositioning of the oil 
metering jet up into the oil distributor within the bevel gearshaft, 
followed by initial and repetitive visual inspections of the magnetic 
chip detector (MCD). Since we issued that AD, RR has demonstrated that 
the repositioning of the oil metering jet eliminates the need for the 
repetitive inspections. This AD changes the applicability from RB211-
Trent 700 series turbofan engines, to RB211-Trent 768-60 and Trent 772-
60 turbofan engines. This AD also eliminates the visual inspections of 
the MCD from the AD requirements. This AD was prompted by RR 
demonstrating that the repositioning of the oil metering jet eliminates 
the need for the repetitive inspections, by the need to correct the AD 
applicability, and by the need to eliminate the visual inspections of 
the MCD. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight engine shutdowns 
caused by SAGB driving bevel gearshaft ball bearing failure.

DATES: This AD is effective April 27, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD 
as of October 1, 1998 (63 FR 49416, September 16, 1998).
    We must receive any comments on this AD by May 27, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce 
plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 44 1332 
242424; fax 44 1332 249936; e-mail: royce.com">tech.help@rolls-royce.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Engine 
& Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone 781-238-7143; 
fax 781-238-7199; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On September 8, 1998, we issued AD 98-19-12, Amendment 39-10754 (63 
FR 49416, September 16, 1998), for RR RB211-Trent 700 series turbofan 
engines. That AD requires, for the SAGB, repositioning of the oil 
metering jet up into the oil distributor within the bevel gearshaft, 
followed by initial and repetitive visual inspections of the MCD. That 
AD resulted from reports of uncommanded engine shutdowns caused by 
failure of the SAGB driving bevel gearshaft ball bearing due to oil 
starvation. We issued that AD to prevent in-flight engine shutdowns 
caused by SAGB driving bevel gearshaft ball bearing failure.

Actions Since AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 98-19-12, RR has demonstrated that the 
repositioning of the oil metering jet eliminates the need for the 
repetitive inspections. Also, since we issued that AD, Rolls Royce put 
into service, its RB211-Trent 772B-

[[Page 20230]]

60 model turbofan engine, which does not have the unsafe condition that 
AD sought to correct. Since the AD applicability states that it is for 
RB211-Trent 700 series turbofan engines, that applicability includes 
the RB211-Trent 772B-60 engines, and it shouldn't.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD retains the oil metering jet repositioning requirements of 
AD 98-19-12. This AD also eliminates the initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of the MCD, required by AD 98-19-12. This AD also corrects 
the applicability from RB211-Trent 700 series turbofan engines, to, 
RB211-Trent 768-60 turbofan engines prior to serial No. 41052, and 
RB211-Trent 772-60 turbofan engines prior to serial No. 41052.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Since no domestic operators use RB211-Trent 768-60 or RB211-Trent 
772-60 turbofan engines, we find that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are unnecessary and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send 
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include 
the docket number FAA-2011-0233 and Directorate Identifier 98-ANE-10-AD 
at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on 
the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of 
this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and 
may amend this AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects no engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. The elimination of visual inspection requirements by 
this AD, adds no additional economic burden.

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

    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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
98-19-12, Amendment 39-10754 (63 FR 49416, September 16, 1998), and 
adding the following new AD:

2011-08-10 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-16660; Docket No. FAA-2011-
0233; Directorate Identifier 98-ANE-10-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective April 27, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 98-19-12, Amendment 39-10754.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 768-60 
turbofan engines prior to serial No. 41052, and RB211-Trent 772-60 
turbofan engines prior to serial No. 41052.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by RR demonstrating that the 
repositioning of the oil metering jet eliminates the need for the 
repetitive inspections, by the need to correct the AD applicability, 
and by the need to eliminate the visual inspections of the MCD. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight engine shutdowns caused by 
step aside gearbox (SAGB) driving bevel gearshaft ball bearing 
failure.

Compliance

    (e) Comply with this AD before further flight, unless already 
done.

Repositioning of the Oil Metering Jet

    (f) Reposition the oil metering jet up into the oil distributor 
within the bevel gearshaft, using RR Service Bulletin No. RB.211 72-
C270, dated June 1, 1997.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) For more information about this AD, contact Alan Strom, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; telephone 781-238-7143; fax 781-238-7199; e-mail: 
[email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Rolls-Royce plc Service Bulletin No. RB.211 72-
C270, dated June 1, 1997, to do the actions required by this AD.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5

[[Page 20231]]

U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, as of October 1, 1998 (63 FR 49416, 
September 16, 1998).
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; 
telephone 44 1332 242424; fax 44 1332 249936; e-mail: 
royce.com">tech.help@rolls-royce.com.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 5, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8469 Filed 4-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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