Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45335-45337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19365]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1050; Product Identifier 2017-NE-39-AD; Amendment 
39-19393; AD 2018-18-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
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 Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-710A2-20 and BR700-
710C4-11 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by reports of 
deterioration of the intumescent heat resistant paint system on the 
electronic engine controller (EEC) firebox assembly that was found to 
be beyond acceptable limits. This AD requires replacement of affected 
EEC firebox assembly parts with improved parts, which have a more 
durable paint system. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 
15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 7086 2673; fax: 
+49 (0) 33 7086 3276. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 
MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1050.

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-
1050; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 
781-238-7146; 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 certain RRD BR700-710A2-20 
and BR700-710C4-11 turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 5963). The NPRM was prompted by 
reports of deterioration of the intumescent heat resistant paint system 
on the EEC firebox assembly that was found to be beyond acceptable 
limits. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of affected EEC 
firebox assembly parts with improved parts, which have a more durable 
paint system. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2017-0198, dated October 10, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI 
states:

    Occurrences were reported where deterioration of an Electronic 
Engine Controller (EEC) firebox assembly intumescent heat resistant 
paint system was found to be beyond acceptable limits. Subsequent 
investigation determined that lack of paint adhesion, due to 
incorrect surface preparation during manufacturing, had caused this 
deterioration.
    This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the fire 
protection capability of the EEC firebox, possibly leading to 
reduced control of an engine during engine fire, engine overspeed 
and release of high-energy debris, resulting in damage to, and/or 
reduced control of, the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, RRD issued Alert SB 
SB-BR700-73-A101977, SB-BR700-73-A101981 and SB-BR700-73-A101985 to 
provide modification

[[Page 45336]]

instructions introducing improved new or reworked EEC firebox 
assembly parts, which have a more durable paint system.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires replacement of 
affected EEC firebox assembly parts with improved parts.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1050.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comment received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to this comment.

Request To Revise Compliance Time

    RRD requested that we align the compliance time of this AD with 
EASA AD 2017-0198, dated October 10, 2017, and RRD Alert Service 
Bulletins (ASBs) SB-BR700-73-A101977, SB-BR700-73-A101981 and SB-BR700-
73-A101985. RRD suggested that we revise the compliance time of the FAA 
AD to meet the end date of the RRD ASBs, which is January 31, 2021.
    We agree. The proposed compliance time of 6 months in the NPRM was 
an error. We revised the compliance time for performance of the 
required actions of this AD to a timeframe consistent with the EASA AD 
and the RRD ASBs. The revised compliance time requires performance of 
the required actions within 28 months after the effective date of this 
AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the change described previously and minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed RRD ASB SB-BR700-73-A101977, Revision 3, dated July 10, 
2017; RRD ASB SB-BR700-73-A101981, Revision 3, dated July 10, 2017; and 
RRD ASB SB-BR700-73-A101985, Revision 3, dated July 10, 2017. The 
service information describes procedures for installing new or reworked 
EEC firebox assembly parts for BR700-710A2-20 and BR700-710C4-11 
turbofan engines, which includes BR700-710C4-11/10 turbofan engines.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 842 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EEC firebox assembly replacement......  2.5 work-hours x $85 per          $4,900       $5,112.50      $4,304,725
                                         hour = $212.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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, 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):

2018-18-14 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate 
previously held by Rolls-Royce Deutschland GmbH, formerly BMW Rolls-
Royce GmbH): Amendment 39-19393; Docket No. FAA-2017-1050; Product 
Identifier 2017-NE-39-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 12, 2018.

[[Page 45337]]

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to:
    (1) Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-710A2-20 
turbofan engines with any electronic engine controller (EEC) firebox 
assembly installed, with any of the following component part numbers 
(P/Ns): FW42888, FW42886, FW38590, FW38591, or FW58255.
    (2) RRD BR700-710C4-11 turbofan engines with any EEC firebox 
assembly installed, with any of the following component P/Ns: 
FW38504, FW38503, FW38590, FW38591, or FW58255.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7600, Engine 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of deterioration of the 
intumescent heat resistant paint system on the EEC firebox assembly 
that was found to be beyond acceptable limits. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the EEC. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in failure of the EEC, loss of engine thrust 
control, and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 28 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform the following:
    (i) For RRD BR700-710A2-20 engines, remove from service the EEC 
firebox assembly components with P/N FW42888, FW42886, FW38590, 
FW38591, and FW58255, and replace with parts eligible for 
installation.
    (ii) For RRD BR700-710C4-11 engines, remove from service the EEC 
firebox assembly components with P/N FW38504, FW38503, FW38590, 
FW38591, and FW58255, and replace with parts eligible for 
installation.
    (2) Reserved.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO 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 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. You may email your 
request to: [email protected].
    (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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara 
Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to EASA AD No. 2017-0198, dated October 10, 2017, for 
more information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-1050.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 30, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19365 Filed 9-6-18; 8:45 am]
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