Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65925-65927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21729]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0593; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-08-AD; 
Amendment 39-18254; AD 2015-17-21]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-
C-37 turbofan engines. This AD requires reducing the cyclic life limits 
for certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) disks, removing those disks 
that have exceeded the new life limit, and replacing them with 
serviceable parts. This AD was prompted by RR updating the life limits 
for certain HPT disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
HPT disk, which could result in uncontained disk release, damage to the 
engine, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 2, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 2, 
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. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0593.

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-2015-
0593; 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 
(MCAI), 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: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7134; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2015 (80 FR 
23737). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    An engineering analysis, carried out by RR, of the lives of 
critical parts of the RB211-535E4-37 engine, has resulted in reduced 
cyclic life limits for certain high pressure (HP) turbine discs. The 
reduced limits are published in the RR RB211-535E4-37 Time Limits 
Manual (TLM): 05-10-01-800-000, current Revision dated July 2014.
    Operation of critical parts beyond these reduced cyclic life 
limits may result in part failure, possibly resulting in the release 
of high-energy debris, which may cause damage to the aeroplane and/
or injury to the occupants.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 23737, April 29, 
2015).

Conclusion

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

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Task 05-00-01-800-000, ``Recording and Control of the 
Lives of Parts'', dated July 1, 2015, of the RR RB211-535E4-37/23 TLM, 
publication reference T-211(535)-6RR, Revision 49, dated July 1, 2015; 
and Task 05-10-01-800-000, ``Group A Parts Lives--CONFIG-1'', dated 
July 1, 2014, of the RR RB211-535E4-37/23 TLM, publication reference T-
211(535)-6RR, Revision 49, dated July 1, 2015. This service information 
provides revised life limits for the affected HPT disks. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or see ADDRESSES 
for other ways to access this service information.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed RR Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.211-
72-G188, Revision No. 1, dated October 30, 2013. The NMSB describes the 
updated lifing analysis of the affected HPT disks.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 650 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 0 hours per 
engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
The pro-rated cost of required parts would be about $12,213 per engine. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $7,938,450.

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.

[[Page 65926]]

    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),
    (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 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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-17-21 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18254; Docket No. FAA-2015-
0593; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-08-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 2, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(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.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by RR updating the life limits for certain 
high-pressure turbine (HPT) disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the HPT disk, which could result in uncontained disk 
release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) After the effective date of this AD, use Task 05-00-01-800-
000, ``Recording and Control of the Lives of Parts'', dated July 1, 
2015, of the Rolls-Royce (RR) RB211-535E4-37/23 Time Limits Manual 
(TLM), publication reference T-211(535)-6RR, Revision 49, dated July 
1, 2015 to determine the new life limits for the affected engine 
models and configurations, with the exception of those engine models 
mentioned in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
    (2) For RR RB211-535E4-B-37 or RB211-535E4-C-37 engines with an 
affected HPT disk that was previously installed on an RB211-535E4-37 
engine operated under Flight Plan A, use Task 05-10-01-800-000, 
``Group A Parts Lives--CONFIG-1'', dated July 1, 2014, of the RR 
RB211-535E4-37/23 TLM, publication reference T-211(535)-6RR, 
Revision 49, dated July 1, 2015 to re-calculate equivalent cycles 
since new to obtain the new life limit.
    (3) If an affected engine model has an HPT disk installed with 
part number (P/N) UL27681 or UL39767, remove the affected HPT disk 
before the accumulated cyclic life exceeds either 19,500 flight 
cycles (FCs) under Flight Plan A, or 14,700 FCs under Flight Plan B, 
or within 25 FCs after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later.
    (4) For all affected engines, other than those specified in 
paragraph (e)(3) of this AD, remove each HPT disk before exceeding 
its applicable life limit as specified in Task 05-00-01-800-000, 
``Recording and Control of the Lives of Parts'', dated July 1, 2015, 
of the RR RB211-535E4-37/23 TLM, publication reference T-211(535)-
6RR, Revision 49, dated July 1, 2015; and Task 05-10-01-800-000, 
``Group A Parts Lives--CONFIG-1'', dated July 1, 2014, of the RR 
RB211-535E4-37/23 TLM, publication reference T-211(535)-6RR, 
Revision 49, dated July 1, 2015.
    (5) Install an HPT disk eligible for installation.

(f) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a part eligible for installation is 
one with a P/N listed in Task 05-00-01-800-000, ``Recording and 
Control of the Lives of Parts'', dated July 1, 2015, of the RR 
RB211-535E4-37/23 TLM, publication reference T-211(535)-6RR, 
Revision 49, dated July 1, 2015; and Task 05-10-01-800-000, ``Group 
A Parts Lives--CONFIG-1'', dated July 1, 2014, of the RR RB211-
535E4-37/23 TLM, publication reference T-211(535)-6RR, Revision 49, 
dated July 1, 2015 with a total accumulated cyclic life that is less 
than the applicable life limit specified in those Tasks.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 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 Wego Wang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7134; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-
0249R1, dated February 18, 2015, for more information. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0593.

(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) Task 05-00-01-800-000, ``Recording and Control of the Lives 
of Parts'', dated July 1, 2015, of the Rolls-Royce (RR) RB211-535E4-
37/23 Time Limits Manual (TLM), publication reference T-211(535)-
6RR, Revision 49, dated July 1, 2015.
    (ii) Task 05-10-01-800-000, ``Group A Parts Lives--CONFIG-1'', 
dated July 1, 2014, of the RR RB211-535E4-37/23 TLM, publication 
reference T-211(535)-6RR, Revision 49, dated July 1, 2015.
    (3) For RR 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.
    (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.



[[Page 65927]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 21, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21729 Filed 10-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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