Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 160 (Tuesday, August 19, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48961-48962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19017]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD; 
Amendment 39-17934; AD 2014-16-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-12-01 for 
all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 
turbofan engines. AD 2013-12-01 required a one-time ultrasonic 
inspection (UI) of low-pressure (LP) compressor blades with more than 
2,500 flight cycles since new or last inspection. This AD requires 
initial and repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades. This 
AD was prompted by LP compressor blade partial airfoil release events. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil 
separations, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective September 23, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
23, 2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 0 1332 
242424; fax: 44 0 1332 249936. You may view this 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2012-
1327; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness information, 
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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 37703, 
June 24, 2013), (``AD 2013-12-01''). AD 2013-12-01 applied to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 
23, 2014 (79 FR 29694). The NPRM proposed to require initial and 
repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 29694, May 23, 
2014).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 56 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 44 hours per 
engine to comply with the initial inspection requirements in this AD. 
The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $209,440.

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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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) 
2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 37703, June 24, 2013), and adding 
the following new AD:


[[Page 48962]]


2014-16-10 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17934; Docket No. FAA-2012-
1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 23, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 
37703, June 24, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-
60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, with low-pressure (LP) 
compressor blade, part numbers (P/Ns) FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, 
FW11901, FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, 
installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by LP compressor blade partial airfoil 
release events. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor 
blade airfoil separations, engine damage, and damage to the 
airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.

 (1) Ultrasonic Inspection (UI) of LP Compressor Blade

    (i) After the effective date of this AD, ultrasonically inspect 
each LP compressor blade before the blade exceeds 3,600 cycles since 
new (CSN) or before further flight, whichever occurs later. Repeat 
the UI of the blade every 2,400 cycles since last inspection (CSLI).
    (ii) For any LP compressor blade that exceeds 2,200 CSLI on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the blade before exceeding 3,000 
CSLI or before further flight, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, 
perform the repetitive inspections required by this AD.
    (iii) Use paragraph 3, excluding subparagraphs 3.A.(9), 3.B.(5), 
3.C.(4), 3.D.(3), 3.E.(5), 3.F.(10), and 3.G.(7), of RR Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH465, dated July 15, 
2013, to perform the inspections required by this AD.

(2) Use of Replacement Blades

    LP compressor blades, P/Ns FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, FW11901, 
FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, that have 
accumulated at least 3,600 CSN or 2,400 CSLI are eligible for 
installation if the blade has passed the UI required by this AD.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If you performed a UI of an affected LP compressor blade before 
the effective date of this AD using RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G702, 
dated May 23, 2011; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated 
March 8, 2013, or earlier revisions; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-H311, 
dated March 8, 2013; or Engine Manual E-Trent-1RR, Task 72-31-11-
200-806, you have met the initial inspection requirements of this 
AD. However, you must still comply with the repetitive 2,400 CSLI 
requirement of this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
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 Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0031, 
dated February 4, 2014, for more information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2012-1327-0007.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. 
RB.211-72-AH465, dated July 15, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 0 1332 
242424; fax: 44 0 1332 249936.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information 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.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 1, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-19017 Filed 8-18-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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