Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 15, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10701-10703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02921]



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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 15, 2017 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 10701]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD; 
Amendment 39-18793; AD 2017-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-16-10 for 
all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 
turbofan engines. AD 2014-16-10 required initial and repetitive 
ultrasonic inspections (UIs) of the affected low-pressure (LP) 
compressor blades. This AD requires the UIs in AD 2014-16-10 while 
reducing the inspection threshold. This AD was prompted by revised 
service information to reduce the inspection threshold for UI of the LP 
compressor blades. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 22, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 22, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-245418, 
or email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp. You may 
view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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-2012-1327.

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, 1200 
District Avenue, 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 2014-16-10, Amendment 39-17934 (79 FR 48961, 
August 19, 2014), (``AD 2014-16-10''). AD 2014-16-10 applied to RR 
RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2016 (81 FR 75762). 
The NPRM proposed to continue to require the UIs in AD 2014-16-10 while 
applying the revised inspection threshold.

Comments

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

Request To Change the Costs of Compliance

    RR noted the 40 hours in the Costs of Compliance to undertake the 
inspection in RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-
72-AH465, Revision 2, dated May 11, 2016, exceeds the RR guidance 
provided in the NMSB. The NMSB states that the on-wing inspection takes 
16 hours to accomplish if the blades are installed, and total time of 
28 hours if the blades are removed.
    We disagree. The Costs of Compliance estimate assumed the blades 
would be removed for inspection, which includes the time required to 
remove the blades and reinstall them afterward to return the engine to 
service. We did not change this AD.

Request To Add Credit for Previous Actions

    RR requested that previous inspection in accordance with RR Alert 
NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 1, dated July 10, 2015, or earlier 
revisions, be considered as credit for previous action, against the 
inspection requirements of this AD to align with European Aviation 
Safety Agency, (EASA) AD 2016-0141, dated July 18, 2016 (corrected July 
20, 2016).
    We agree. The inspections done using RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, 
Revision 1, dated July 10, 2015, or the initial issue, dated July 15, 
2013, are acceptable. We added RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 
1, dated July 10, 2015, and the initial issue, dated July 15, 2013, to 
paragraph (f) of this AD.

Conclusion

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

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RR has issued Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 2, dated May 11, 
2016. The NMSB describes procedures for performing a UI of the LP 
compressor blades. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 56 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 10702]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................  40 work-hours x $85 per               $0          $3,400        $190,400
                                         hour = $3,400.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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) 
2014-16-10, Amendment 39-17934 (79 FR 48961, August 19, 2014), and 
adding the following new AD:

2017-03-02 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18793; Docket No. FAA-2012-
1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 22, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-16-10, Amendment 39-17934 (79 FR 
48961, August 19, 2014).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-
60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, with low-pressure (LP) compressor 
blade, part number (P/N) 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, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

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

    (i) After the effective date of this AD, for LP compressor 
blades that have accumulated less than 1,800 cycles since new (CSN) 
or cycles since last inspection (CSLI), perform a UI of each LP 
compressor blade before the blade exceeds 2,400 CSN or CSLI. Repeat 
the UI of the blade before exceeding 2,400 CSLI.
    (ii) For any LP compressor blade that exceeds 1,800 CSN on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the blade before exceeding 600 
flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or before 
exceeding 3,600 CSN, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, perform the 
repetitive inspections before exceeding 2,400 CSLI.
    (iii) For any LP compressor blade that exceeds 2,200 CSLI on 
September 23, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-16-10), inspect 
the blade before exceeding 3,000 CSLI or before further flight, 
whichever occurs later. Thereafter, perform the repetitive 
inspections before exceeding 2,400 CSLI.
    (iv) Use paragraph 3, excluding subparagraphs 3.C.(2)(b), 
3.D.(2), and 3.G, of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
(NMSB) RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 2, dated May 11, 2016, to perform 
the inspections required by this AD.

(2) Use of Replacement Blades

    (i) After the effective date of this AD, LP compressor blade, P/
N FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, FW11901, FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, 
FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, that has accumulated at least 2,400 
CSN or CSLI is eligible for installation if the blade has passed the 
UI required by this AD.
    (ii) Reserved.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the UI required by paragraph (e) of this 
AD, if you performed the UI before the effective date of this AD 
using RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 1, dated July 10, 
2015, or the initial issue, dated July 15, 2013; or 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 the Engine Manual E-
Trent-1RR, Task 72-31-11-200-806.

(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 Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency, (EASA) AD 
2016-0141, dated July 18, 2016 (corrected July 20, 2016), 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-2012-1327.

(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

[[Page 10703]]

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 
RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 2, dated May 11, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Rolls-Royce plc 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-
1332-245418, or email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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 January 27, 2017.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-02921 Filed 2-14-17; 8:45 am]
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