Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1009-1012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-134]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0162; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-19-AD; 
Amendment 39-16803; AD 2011-18-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. That AD currently requires initial and 
repetitive borescope inspections of the head section and meterpanel 
assembly of the combustion liner, and replacement if necessary. This 
new AD requires those same inspections, and replacement. This AD also 
expands the applicability to include part numbers (P/N) of additional 
combustion liners. This AD was prompted by an inquiry submitted by an 
operator, which resulted in RR performing a complete review of the 
affected front combustion liner part numbers. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent deterioration of the engine combustion liner, which can result 
in combustion liner breakup, case burn-through, engine fire, and damage 
to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective February 13, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 9, 
2005 (70 FR 680, January 5, 2005).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: 
011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936, for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD. 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.

[[Page 1010]]

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 address for the 
Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2004-26-
05, amendment 39-13917 (70 FR 680, January 5, 2005). That AD applies to 
the specified products. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on 
October 18, 2010 (75 FR 63727). The SNPRM proposed to require:
    <bullet> Initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the 
combustion liner head section and meterpanel assembly of the combustion 
liner and, if necessary, replacement.
    <bullet> Reduction of the inspection intervals of certain RB211-524 
engine models that have not been repaired to RR Field Repair Scheme 
FRS5367/B, and
    <bullet> A mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
inspections to be completed no later than December 31, 2012.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. The Boeing Company 
supports the SNPRM published in the Federal Register on October 18, 
2010 (75 FR 63727).
    We simplified wording for clarity in the regulatory section. We did 
not change the requirements of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 18 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 32 
work-hours per engine to perform the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$231,000. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD 
to U.S. operators to be $4,206,960.

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 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 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) 
2004-26-05, Amendment 39-13917 (70 FR 680, January 5, 2005), and adding 
the following new AD:

2011-18-21 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-16803; Docket No. FAA-2009-
0162; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-19-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 13, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2004-26-05, Amendment 39-13917 (70 FR 680, 
January 5, 2005).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) engine models RB211-
524B-02, -524B3-02 engines and RB211-524B2, -524B4, -524C2, and -
524D4 series engines with a front combustion liner assembly that 
incorporates RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-7221 or RR SB 
No. RB.211-72-7998, but doesn't incorporate RR SB No. RB.211-72-9670 
or RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764, and engine models RB211-524G and -524H 
series engines with a front combustion liner assembly that doesn't 
incorporate RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD results from an inquiry submitted by an operator which 
resulted in RR performing a complete review of the affected front 
combustion liner part numbers. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
deterioration of the engine combustion liner, which can result in 
combustion liner breakup, case burn-through, engine fire, and damage 
to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

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

(f) Credit for Previous Inspections

    Engine inspections previously done using RR SB No. RB.211-72-
B482, Revision 8, meet the requirements of this AD for the initial 
and repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (g) and Table 1 of 
this AD; and paragraph (h) and Table 2 of this AD.

[[Page 1011]]

(g) Inspections of Combustion Liner Head Sections--Not Previously 
Repaired

    Borescope-inspect combustion liner head sections that have not 
been previously repaired. Use paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5) of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the 
compliance thresholds in Table 1 of this AD to do the inspections.

                         Table 1--Combustion Liner Head Section--Not Previously Repaired
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Parts exceeding initial
            Engine series                 Initial inspection     Repetitive inspection      inspection cycles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RB211-524C2, -524D4, -524G, and -524H  Within 1,400 to 1,600    Within 200 cycles-since- Within 100 cycles-in-
                                        cycles-since-new (CSN).  last inspection (CSLI).  service (CIS) after
                                                                                          the effective date of
                                                                                          this AD.
RB211-524B-02, -524B2, -524B3-02, and  Within 3,000 to 3,200    Within 200 CSLI........  Within 200 CIS after
 -524B4.                                CSN.                                              the effective date of
                                                                                          this AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) Inspections of Combustion Liner Head Sections--Previously Repaired 
Using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B

    Borescope-inspect combustion liner head sections previously 
repaired using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B. Use paragraphs 
3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5) of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR ASB 
No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the 
compliance thresholds in Table 2 of this AD to do the inspections.

       Table 2--Combustion Liner Head Section--Previously Repaired Using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Parts exceeding initial
            Engine series                 Initial inspection     Repetitive inspection      inspection cycles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RB211-524C2, -524D4, -524G, and -524H  Within 1,800 to 2,200    Within 400 CSLI........  Within 200 CIS after
                                        cycles-since-last                                 the effective date of
                                        repair (CSLR).                                    this AD.
RB211-524B-02, -524B2, -524B3-02, and  Within 3,000 to 3,200    Within 400 CSLI........  Within 200 CIS after
 -524B4.                                CSLR.                                             the effective date of
                                                                                          this AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(i) Inspections of Combustion Liner Head Sections That Have Been 
Repaired But Did Not Use RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B

    Borescope-inspect combustion liner head sections that have been 
repaired using a method other than RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B. 
Use paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 
28, 2003, and the compliance thresholds in Table 3 of this AD to do 
the inspections.

       Table 3--Combustion Liner Head Section--Repaired, But Did Not Use RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Parts exceeding initial
            Engine series                 Initial inspection     Repetitive inspection      inspection cycles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RB211-524C2, -524D4, -524G, and -524H  Within 500 to 700 CSLR.  Within 200 CSLI........  Within 100 CIS after
                                                                                          the effective date of
                                                                                          this AD.
RB211-524B-02, -524B2, -524B3-02, and  Within 2,000 to 2,200    Within 200 CSLI........  Within 200 CIS after
 [dash]524B4.                           CSLR.                                             the effective date of
                                                                                          this AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (1) For an installed front combustion liner that is subject to 
RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, if the 
nicrobraze repair RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367 has been applied to 
all 18 struts, then that repair is equivalent to compliance with RR 
Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B.
    (2) Head sections repaired by replacement of all 18 struts using 
RR Field Repair Scheme FRS6548 are considered as equivalent to 
fitting a new head section for inspection purposes.

(j) Inspections of Meterpanel Assemblies--Not Repaired

    Borescope-inspect meterpanel assemblies that incorporate SB No. 
RB.211-72-7998, that have not been previously repaired. Use 
paragraphs 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 
28, 2003, and the compliance thresholds in Table 4 of this AD to do 
the inspections.

                                   Table 4--Meterpanel Assembly--Not Repaired
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Parts exceeding initial
            Engine series                 Initial inspection     Repetitive inspection      inspection cycles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RB211-524D4, -524G, and -524H........  Within 1,000 to 1,200    Within 400 CSLI........  Within 50 CIS after the
                                        CSN.                                              effective date of this
                                                                                          AD.
RB211-524D4, -524G, and -524H that     Within 1,800 to 2,000    Within 400 CSLI........  Within 50 CIS after the
 have not used RB211-524H ratings at    CSN.                                              effective date of this
 any time.                                                                                AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1012]]

(k) Inspections of Meterpanel Assemblies--Repaired

    Borescope-inspect meterpanel assemblies that incorporate SB No. 
RB.211-72-7998, that have been previously repaired. Use paragraphs 
3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7) of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR ASB 
No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the 
compliance thresholds in Table 5 of this AD to do the inspections.

                                     Table 5--Meterpanel Assembly--Repaired
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Parts exceeding initial
            Engine series                 Initial inspection     Repetitive inspection      inspection cycles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RB211-524D4, -524G, and -524H........  Within 500 to 700 CSLR.  Within 400 CSLI........  Within 50 CIS after the
                                                                                          effective date of this
                                                                                          AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(l) Reject Parts

    Remove from service, parts that exceed the acceptance criteria.

(m) Mandatory Terminating Action

    Replace any front combustion liner assembly that has a P/N 
listed in paragraph (c) of this AD at the next shop visit.
    (1) For RB211-524B-02, -524B3-02, -524B4, -524C2 and -524B2, -
524B4, -524C2, and -524D4 series engines, replacing the front 
combustion liner assembly with a front combustion liner assembly 
that incorporates the modifications in RR SB No. RB.211-72-9670, 
Original Issue, dated August 27, 1993; or RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764, 
Revision 3, dated January 16, 1998, constitutes terminating action 
to the repetitive inspections in paragraphs (g), (h), (i), (j), and 
(k) of this AD.
    (2) For RB211-524G and -524H engines, replacing the front 
combustion liner assembly with a front combustion liner assembly 
that incorporates the modifications in RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764, 
Revision 3, dated January 16, 1998, constitutes terminating action 
to the repetitive inspections in paragraphs (f), (g), (h), (i), and 
(j) of this AD.

(n) Definition of Shop Visit

    For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is any time that the 04 
module is removed for refurbishment or overhaul.

(o) Related Information

    Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
[email protected], for more information about this AD.

(p) Material Incorporated by Reference

    You must use the following service information to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 
(IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 
1 CFR part 51 on the date specified:
    (1) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AB482, 
Revision 9, July 28, 2003, approved for IBR February 9, 2005 (70 FR 
680, January 5, 2005).
    (2) Rolls-Royce plc Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-9670, 
Original Issue, August 27, 1993, approved for IBR February 9, 2005 
(70 FR 680, January 5, 2005).
    (3) Rolls-Royce plc Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-9764, 
Revision 3, January 16, 1998, approved for IBR February 9, 2005 (70 
FR 680, January 5, 2005).
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; 
phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936.
    (5) You may review copies of the 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.
    (6) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 28, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-134 Filed 1-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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