Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61151-61153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27778]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0750; Product Identifier 2017-NE-24-AD; Amendment 
39-19137; AD 2017-26-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation 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 certain 
Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007A and AE 3007C model turbofan 
engines. This AD was prompted by an updated analysis that lowered the 
life limit of fan wheels installed on the affected engines. This AD 
requires removal of the affected fan wheel at new, lower life limits. 
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 31, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 31, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Rolls-Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code 
NB-02-05, Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-3774; email: 
royce.com">indy.pubs.services@rolls-royce.com; internet: www.rolls-royce.com. You 
may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 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-2017-
0750; 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 final rule, 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: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 
phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; 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 certain RRC AE 3007A and AE 
3007C model turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on September 22, 2017 (82 FR 44357). The NPRM was prompted by 
an updated stress analysis that showed higher stress than previously 
calculated in the aft retainer flange scallop of the fan wheel, part 
number (P/N) 23061670. As a result, RRC reduced the published life of 
the affected fan wheel. The NPRM proposed to require removal of the 
affected fan wheel at new, lower life limits. We are issuing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. The Air Line 
Pilots Association supported the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 3007A-A-72-424/ASB 
AE 3007C-A-72-327 (one document), Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017. The 
ASB provides updated life limits for the affected fan wheels. 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 341 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 61152]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace fan wheel (P/N 23061670)    0 work-hours x $85    $12,357 (pro-rated           $12,357       $4,213,737
 at reduced life.                    per hour = $0.        cost of part).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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, 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):

2017-26-06 Roll-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate previously held 
by Allison Engine Company): Amendment 39-19137; Docket No. FAA-2017-
0750; Product Identifier 2017-NE-24-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 30, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007A, AE 
3007A1, AE 3007A1/1, AE 3007A1/2, AE 3007A1/3, AE 3007A1P, AE 
3007A1E, AE 3007A3, AE 3007C and 3007C1 turbofan engines with a fan 
wheel, part number (P/N) 23061670, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine/
turboprop Engine, Turbine Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an updated analysis that lowered the 
life limit of fan wheels installed on the affected engines. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fan wheel. The unsafe 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the fan 
wheel, uncontained release of the fan wheel, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For all AE 3007A, AE 3007A1, AE 3007A1/1, AE 3007A1/2, AE 
3007A1/3, AE 3007A1P, AE 3007A1E, AE 3007A3, AE 3007C and 3007C1 
engines with an installed fan wheel, P/N 23061670, after the 
effective date of this AD, remove the affected fan wheel before 
exceeding the new life limits identified in Planning Information, 
paragraph 1.F., of RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 3007A-A-72-
424/ASB AE 3007C-A-72-327 (one document), Revision 1, dated April 
20, 2017.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not return to 
service any engine with a fan wheel, P/N 23061670, with a fan wheel 
life that exceeds the new life limits identified in Planning 
Information, paragraph 1.C., of RRC ASB AE 3007A-A-72-424/ASB AE 
3007C-A-72-327 (one document), Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the Chicago ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kyri Zaroyiannis, 
Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave. Des 
Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 
[email protected].

(j) 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 Corporation (RRC) Alert Service Bulletin AE 
3007A-A-72-424/ASB AE 3007C-A-72-327 (one document), Revision 1, 
dated April 20, 2017.

[[Page 61153]]

    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For RRC service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-02-
05, Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-3774; email: 
royce.com">indy.pubs.services@rolls-royce.com; internet: www.rolls-royce.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 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 that is incorporated 
by reference 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 December 18, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27778 Filed 12-26-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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