Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71308-71309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28189]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0433; Directorate Identifier 94-ANE-39-AD; 
Amendment 39-18041; AD 2014-24-08]
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) 98-07-07 for 
all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4 and RB211-535E4-B turbofan 
engines. AD 98-07-07 required removing certain part number (P/N) low-
pressure (LP) fuel filter-to-high-pressure (HP) fuel pump tube 
assemblies and installing flexible LP fuel filter-to-HP fuel pump tube 
assemblies. This AD expands the applicability of AD 98-07-07 to include 
the RB211-535E4-C-37 turbofan engine and requires removal from service 
of additional P/N LP fuel filter-to-high-pressure HP fuel pump tube 
assemblies. This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks that have 
resulted in a number of engine in-flight shutdowns. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent loss of fuel supply to the engine, which could lead to an 
in-flight shutdown of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and 
damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective January 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, 
DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: 
http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://www.aeromanager.com. 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-2014-
0433; 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: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; 
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 98-07-07, Amendment 39-10426 (63 FR 18119, 
April 14, 1998), (``AD 98-07-07''). AD 98-07-07 applied to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 
24, 2014 (79 FR 42989). The NPRM proposed to expand the applicability 
of AD 98-07-07 to include the RB211-535E4-C-37 turbofan engine and 
added two additional P/Ns identified for removal.

Comments

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

Support for the NPRM as Proposed

    United Airlines supports issuing the NPRM (79 FR 42989, July 24, 
2014) as proposed.

Request To Change the Compliance

    FedEx Express requested that the proposed AD require removal of 
only fuel tube assemblies, P/Ns 163521538 and 163521545. These are the 
only fuel tube assemblies that are required to be removed by RR Service 
Bulletin No. RB.211-73-H131 and European Aviation Safety Agency AD 
2014-0123.
    We do not agree. This AD will supersede AD 98-07-07. AD 98-07-07 
required the removal of fuel tube assemblies, P/Ns UL16692 and 
AE709623-1. Continuing to include these P/Ns would ensure, in the 
unlikely event that there is an engine containing fuel tube assemblies, 
P/Ns UL16692 and AE709623-1, that these fuel tube assemblies would 
still be removed. We did not change this AD.

Change to the Compliance

    We changed paragraph (e)(2) of this AD to mandate installation of 
LP fuel filter-to-HP fuel pump tube assemblies eligible for 
installation. Paragraph (e)(2) was changed to support the Costs of 
Compliance as proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 42989, July 24, 2014).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this 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 this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 500 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 7.33 hours 
per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
hour. Required parts cost about $10,000 per engine. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$5,311,525.

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

[[Page 71309]]

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) 
98-07-07, Amendment 39-10426 (63 FR 18119, April 14, 1998), and adding 
the following new AD:

2014-24-08 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18041; Docket No. FAA-2014-
0433; Directorate Identifier 94-ANE-39-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 6, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 98-07-07, Amendment 39-10426 (63 FR 18119, 
April 14, 1998).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4-37, 
RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-C-37 turbofan engines with low-
pressure (LP) fuel filter-to-high-pressure (HP) fuel pump tube 
assembly, part number (P/N) UL16692, AE709623-1, 163521538, or 
163521545, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaks that have resulted 
in a number of engine in-flight shutdowns. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent loss of fuel supply to the engine, which could lead to an 
in-flight shutdown of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, 
and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) After the effective date of this AD, remove from service all 
LP fuel filter-to-HP fuel pump tube assemblies, P/Ns UL16692, 
AE709623-1, 163521538, and 163521545, at the next part removal or 
during the next engine shop visit, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Install LP fuel filter-to-HP fuel pump tube assemblies 
eligible for installation.

(f) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance.

(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. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0123, 
dated May 15, 2014, for more information. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0433-0005.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 20, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-28189 Filed 12-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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