Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 40 (Thursday, March 2, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12289-12291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04053]



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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 40 / Thursday, March 2, 2017 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 12289]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0004; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-01-AD; 
Amendment 39-18794; AD 2017-03-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-05-18 for 
certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 500 series turbofan engines. 
AD 2013-05-18 required initial and repetitive inspections of the low-
pressure (LP) fuel tubes, fuel tube clips, and fuel/oil heat exchanger 
(FOHE) mounts for evidence of damage, wear, and fuel leakage. This AD 
reduces the repetitive inspection intervals. This AD was prompted by 
additional service experience. We are issuing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 17, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 17, 
2017.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by May 1, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce 
plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; 
phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; 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 01803. 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-2012-0004.

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-
0004; 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 in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0004; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-NE-01-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Discussion

    On March 7, 2013, we issued AD 2013-05-18, Amendment 39-17390 (78 
FR 17297, March 21, 2013), for all RR RB211 Trent 500 series turbofan 
engines. AD 2013-05-18 required initial and repetitive inspections of 
the fuel tubes, fuel tube clips, and FOHE mounts for evidence of 
damage, wear, and fuel leakage. AD 2013-05-18 resulted from reports of 
wear found between the securing clips and the LP fuel tube outer 
surface, which reduces the fuel tube wall thickness, leading to 
fracture of the fuel tube and consequent fuel leakage. We issued AD 
2013-05-18 to prevent engine fuel leaks, which could result in engine 
damage and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2013-05-18 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-05-18, RR has determined that the 
repetitive inspection interval should be reduced. Also since we issued 
AD 2013-05-18, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued AD 
2016-0227, dated November 10, 2016, which requires correcting some 
technical instructions and reducing the inspection interval.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RR Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
RB.211-73-AG948, Revision 3, dated September 9, 2016. The NMSB 
describes procedures for inspecting, removing, and replacing the LP 
fuel tubes, fuel tube clips, and FOHE mounts. This service information 
is reasonably

[[Page 12290]]

available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires repetitive inspections of the LP fuel tubes and 
fuel tube clips, and FOHE mounts for evidence of damage, wear, and fuel 
leakage.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects no engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................  5 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $425              $0
                                         hour = $425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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) 
2013-05-18, Amendment 39-17390 (78 FR 17297, March 21, 2013), and 
adding the following new AD:

2017-03-03 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18794; Docket No. FAA-2012-
0004; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-01-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 17, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-05-18, Amendment 39-17390 (78 FR 
17297, March 21, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 
RB211 Trent 553A2-61, RB211 Trent 556-61, RB211 Trent 556A2-61, 
RB211 Trent 556B-61, RB211 Trent 556B2-61, RB211 Trent 560-61, and 
RB211 Trent 560A2-61 turbofan engines that have any of the following 
fuel tube part numbers installed: FW57605, FW17689, FW57604, 
FK30710, FW57578, or FK30713.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7921, Engine Oil 
Cooler.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of wear found between the 
securing clips and the low-pressure (LP) fuel tube outer surface, 
which reduces the fuel tube wall thickness, leading to fracture of 
the fuel tube and consequent fuel leakage. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent engine fuel leaks, which could result in engine damage and 
damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Inspect the LP fuel tubes, clips, and fuel/oil heat 
exchanger (FOHE) mounts of the LP fuel system of engines that are on 
wing within 1,600 flight hours after February 24, 2012, or before 
the next flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later. Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A, of 
RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-73-AG948, 
Revision 3, dated September 9, 2016, to do the inspection.
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 5,000 engine flight hours (EFH), 
reinspect the LP fuel tubes, clips, and FOHE mounts using the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A or 3.B, of RR Alert NMSB 
RB.211-73-AG948, Revision 3, dated September 9, 2016.
    (3) If the LP fuel system fails the inspections required by 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, replace the part(s) that 
failed the inspection with hardware eligible for installation before 
further flight.
    (4) At any shop visit after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the LP fuel system using the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 3.B, of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-73-AG948, Revision 3, dated 
September 9, 2016.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is the induction of 
an engine into the shop for maintenance or overhaul. The separation 
of engine flanges solely for the purpose of

[[Page 12291]]

transporting the engine without subsequent engine maintenance does 
not constitute an engine shop visit.
    (2) For the purposes of paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, EFHs are 
those accumulated by the engine since the most recent accomplishment 
of any RR Service Bulletin (SB), NMSB, or Alert NMSB listed in 
paragraphs (h)(2)(i) through (h)(2)(v) of this AD:
    (i) Accomplishment of RR SB RB.211-73-F737, Revision 5, dated 
June 9, 2009, or earlier versions.
    (ii) Accomplishment of RR SB RB.211-73-F738, Revision 2, dated 
February 20, 2015, or earlier versions.
    (iii) Last inspection in accordance with RR Alert NMSB RB.211-
73-AG797, Revision 2, dated June 13, 2012.
    (iv) Last inspection in accordance with RR NMSB RB.211-73-G723, 
Revision 1, dated January 31, 2012.
    (v) Last inspection in accordance with RR Alert NMSB RB.211-73-
AG948, Revision 3, dated September 9, 2016.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the initial inspections required by 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, if you performed these 
inspections before the effective date of this AD, using RR Alert 
NMSB RB.211-73-AG948, Revision 2, or earlier versions; RR NMSB 
RB.211-73-G723, Revision 1, or earlier versions; or RR Alert NMSB 
RB.211-73-AG797, Revision 2, or earlier versions.

(j) 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].

(k) 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 EASA AD 2016-0227, dated November 10, 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-2012-0004.
    (3) RR SB RB.211-73-F737, Revision 5, dated June 9, 2009; SB 
RB.211-73-F738, Revision 2, dated February 20, 2015; RR NMSB RB.211-
73-G723, Revision 1, dated January 31, 2012; and RR Alert NMSB 
RB.211-73-AG797, Revision 2, dated June 13, 2012, which are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from RR, using 
the contact information in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD.

(l) 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 (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
RB.211-73-AG948, Revision 3, dated September 9, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
England, DE248BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-
249936; 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 01803. 
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. 2017-04053 Filed 3-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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