Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17080-17081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06114]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1100; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-29-AD; 
Amendment 39-17385; AD 2013-05-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-710 series turbofan 
engines. This AD requires replacement of the affected fuel pump splined 
couplings. This AD was prompted by service experience that demonstrated 
premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel pump. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent failure of the engine and loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: 
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2012 (77 
FR 66771). That NPRM proposed to require replacement of the affected 
fuel pump splined couplings. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information states:

    In-service experience of RRD BR700-710 fuel pump installed on 
the rear face of the accessory gearbox identified premature wear of 
the splined coupling, which caused damage to the splined coupling.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of 
engine fuel supply, likely resulting in an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown and consequently reduced control of the aeroplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received.

Request To Withdraw the AD

    An anonymous commenter requested that the FAA withdraw the proposed 
rule (77 FR 66771, November 7, 2012). The commenter indicated that the 
rule is a ``waste of government resources'' because a service bulletin 
has been issued and larger companies and individuals will comply 
because it is in their best interest while smaller companies will 
``suffer.''
    We do not agree. We reviewed the service experience of the affected 
fuel pump splined couplings and determined that an unsafe condition 
exists and that corrective action is required. Although some operators 
may take corrective action based on the service bulletin, the issuance 
of an AD makes compliance mandatory for all. We made no change to the 
AD.

Change to Installation Prohibition Paragraph

    We determined when reviewing the proposed rule (77 FR 66771, 
November 7, 2012), that the Installation Prohibition paragraph (g) was 
not consistent with the compliance paragraph (e). The Installation 
Prohibition paragraph in the NPRM forbids returning to service any 
engine with a fuel pump with an affected splined coupling that has 
accumulated 4,000 hours time in service (TIS). This prohibition is not 
consistent with compliance paragraph (e) which allows engines with 
affected spline couplings to be returned to service for those engines 
with 3,750 hours or more TIS, while allowing an additional 250 hours 
TIS to comply. The Installation Prohibition paragraph should have been 
directed against ``installing'' an affected fuel pump into an engine or 
installing an engine with an affected fuel pump into an aircraft rather 
than against returning an engine to service with an affected fuel pump.
    The Installation Prohibition paragraph now reads: ``After the 
effective date of this AD, do not install into any engine a fuel pump 
with an affected splined coupling that has accumulated 4,000 hours TIS, 
or install any engine with an affected splined coupling that has 
accumulated 4,000 hours TIS onto an airplane.''

[[Page 17081]]

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these 
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects about 1,040 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 6 
hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 
per hour. Required parts cost about $1,035 per engine. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to U.S. operators to be 
$1,606,800.

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 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 this AD:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
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 Operations office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is provided in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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 adding the following new AD:

2013-05-13 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Formerly Rolls-Royce 
Deutschland GmbH, and BMW Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-17385; 
Docket No. FAA-2012-1100; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-29-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 24, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
BR700-710A1-10 and BR700-710A2-20 turbofan engines, all serial 
numbers, and BR700-710C4-11 turbofan engines that have either of the 
following hardware configuration standards engraved on the engine 
data plate:
    (1) Standard ``710C4-11''--RRD Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin (NMSB) SB-BR700-72-101466 standard not incorporated, or
    (2) Standard ``710C4-11/10''--RRD Alert NMSB SB-BR700-72-101466 
standard incorporated.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by service experience that demonstrated 
premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel pump. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine and loss of the 
airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following.
    (1) After the effective date of this AD, replace the fuel pump 
splined coupling as follows and every 4,000 hours time in service 
(TIS) thereafter:
    (i) If the engine has 3,750 hours TIS or more on the effective 
date of this AD, within 250 hours TIS.
    (ii) If the engine has less than 3,750 hours TIS on the 
effective date of this AD, before reaching 4,000 hours TIS.
    (2) If you replaced the engine fuel pump splined coupling before 
the effective date of this AD, replace the fuel pump splined 
coupling before reaching 4,000 hours TIS since last replacement, or 
before further flight, whichever comes later.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install into any 
engine a fuel pump with an affected splined coupling that has 
accumulated 4,000 hours TIS, or install any engine with an affected 
splined coupling that has accumulated 4,000 hours TIS onto an 
airplane.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; email: [email protected]; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-
238-7199.
    (2) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information AD 
No. 2012-0161, dated August 24, 2012, and RRD Alert NMSB SB-BR700-
72-A900509, Revision 3, dated August 2, 2012, for related 
information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33-7086-1883; fax: 49 0 
33-7086-3276. You may view 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.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 7, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06114 Filed 3-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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