Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG TAY 650-15 and TAY 651-54 Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35031-35034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-15486]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0993; Product Identifier 2018-NE-18-AD; Amendment 
39-19679; AD 2019-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG TAY 
650-15 and TAY 651-54 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) TAY 650-15 and TAY 651-54 
turbofan engines with low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade module 
M01300AA or M01300AB, installed. This AD was prompted by reports of LPC 
fan blade retention lug fractures on engines with a high number of dry-
film lubrication (DFL) treatments. This AD requires determining the 
number of DFL treatments applied on each LPC fan blade, and removing 
from service and replacing the affected LPC fan blades if the DFL 
treatment limit is exceeded. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 26, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 26, 
2019.

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) 33-7086-1200; fax: 
+49 (0) 33-086-3276. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0993.

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-2018-
0993; 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations 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: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7134; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD TAY 650-15 and 
TAY 651-54 turbofan engines with LPC fan blade module M01300AA or 
M01300AB, installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
March 5, 2019 (84 FR 7832). The NPRM was prompted by reports of LPC fan 
blade retention lug fractures on engines with a high number of DFL 
treatments. The NPRM proposed to require determining the number of DFL 
treatments applied on each LPC fan blade, and removing from service and 
replacing the affected LPC fan blades if the DFL treatment limit is 
exceeded. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.
    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has 
issued EASA AD 2018-0079, dated April 11, 2018 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. 
The MCAI states:

    Fractures of LPC fan blade retention lugs were reported on 
engines that had been subjected to a high number of Dry Film 
Lubrication (DFL) treatments. Subsequent investigation determined 
that this had exposed the retention lugs of the affected LPC (fan) 
blades to excessively high stress cycles.

[[Page 35032]]

    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of LPC fan blade retention lug(s), high vibration, reduced 
thrust or in-flight shut down, possibly resulting in reduced control 
of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, RRD issued original 
issue of Alert NMSB TAY-72-A1833 to provide identification and 
replacement instructions and EASA issued AD 2017-0217 to require 
determination of the number of DFL treatments applied to the LPC fan 
blades and, based on that determination, fan blade(s) replacement. 
That AD also introduced the maximum allowable number of DFL 
treatments applicable to the LPC fan blades.
    Since that AD was issued, RRD issued the NMSB to update the 
calculation methodology which was provided to determine the number 
of DFL treatments, in case that number could not be identified from 
the engine maintenance records. The new calculation methodology, 
compared with the methodology provided in the original issue of the 
RRD Alert NMSB TAY-72-A1833 can lead, in some cases of LPC fan 
blades with TAY 651-54 operation history, to earlier replacement of 
blades.
    For the reasons described above, this AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2017-0217, which is superseded, but refers 
to an updated alternative method to determine the number of DFL 
treatments.

    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-2018-0993.

Comments

    The FAA 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

    RRD requested that the FAA revise the wording in paragraph 
(g)(3)(i) of this AD from ``For Group 1 and 2 engines: If the number of 
LPC fan blades with DFL treatments is fewer than 13'' to ``For Group 1 
and 2 engines: If the number of DFL treatments on a LPC fan blades is 
fewer than 13.'' RRD reasoned that it is the number of DFL treatments 
and not the number of LPC fan blades that counts.
    We agree. We revised the AD as suggested by the commenter.

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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed RRD Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
TAY-72-A1833, Revision 1, dated January 8, 2018. The Alert NMSB 
describes procedures for determining the number of DFL treatments on 
each LPC fan blade by reviewing the engine maintenance records or using 
an alternative method of counting, and replacing the LPC fan blade with 
a part eligible for installation if the DFL treatment limit is 
exceeded. 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 76 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect LPC fan blades................  11 work-hours x $85 per               $0            $935         $71,060
                                         hour = $935.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacement of a single LPC fan blade that would be required based on 
the results of the proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of aircraft that might need replacement of LPC 
fan blades.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace LPC fan blade.........................  16 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $10,750         $12,110
                                                 $1,360.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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,

[[Page 35033]]

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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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):

2019-14-01 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-19679; 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0993; Product Identifier 2018-NE-18-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 26, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) TAY 
650-15 and TAY 651-54 turbofan engines with low-pressure compressor 
(LPC) fan blade module M01300AA or M01300AB, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of LPC fan blade retention lug 
fractures on engines with a high number of dry-film lubrication 
(DFL) treatments. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the LPC fan blade retention lug. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in 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 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
determine whether the engine is a Group 1 or Group 2 engine as 
follows:
    (i) A Group 1 engine is an affected RRD TAY 650-15 or TAY 651-54 
turbofan engine with a LPC fan blade, part number (P/N) JR31911, P/N 
JR33865, or P/N JR33866, and with a serial number (S/N) listed in 
Appendix 1 of RRD Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
TAY-72-A1833, Revision 1, dated January 8, 2018.
    (ii) A Group 2 engine is any other RRD TAY 650-15 or TAY 651-54 
turbofan engine with LPC fan blade module M01300AA or M01300AB, 
installed.
    (2) For Group 1 and 2 engines: Within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, determine the number of DFL treatments on 
each affected LPC fan blade by reviewing the maintenance records or 
using the alternative method specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.D. or 3.Q., of RRD Alert NMSB TAY-72-
A1833, Revision 1, dated January 8, 2018.
    (3) Depending on the results of the maintenance record review or 
the alternative method specified above, do the following, as 
applicable:
    (i) For Group 1 and 2 engines: If the number of DFL treatments 
on an LPC fan blade is fewer than 13, mark the LPC fan blade 
dovetail root with a suffix code during the next scheduled LPC fan 
blade removal using the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.J. 
or 3.U., of RRD Alert NMSB TAY-72-A1833, Revision 1, dated January 
8, 2018.
    (ii) For Group 1 engines: If any LPC fan blades with 13 to 20 
DFL treatments are installed on more than one engine on the same 
airplane, within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, use one of the three options in the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 3.F., of RRD Alert NMSB TAY-72-A1833, Revision 1, dated 
January 8, 2018, to ensure that no LPC fan blade with 13 to 20 DFL 
treatments is installed on more than one engine on the same 
airplane.
    (iii) For Group 1 and 2 engines: If it is determined that the 
number of DFL treatments on an LPC fan blade is equal to or more 
than the value defined in Table 1 of paragraph (g) of this AD, 
remove the LPC fan blade from service and replace with a part 
eligible for installation within the compliance times specified in 
Table 1 of paragraph (g) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22JY19.004

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected 
LPC fan blade or LPC module M01300AA or M01300AB onto any engine or 
install any engine with an affected LPC fan blade or LPC module 
M01300AA or M01300AB onto any airplane unless it has been first 
determined that the LPC fan blades have had less than 13 DFL 
treatments and have been marked in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.J. or 3.U, of RRD Alert 
NMSB TAY-72-A1833, Revision 1, dated January 8, 2018.

(i) Definitions

    (1) A part eligible for installation is an LPC fan blade that 
has had 12 or fewer DFL treatments and is marked on the LPC fan

[[Page 35034]]

blade dovetail root with a suffix code depicting the number of DFL 
treatments.
    (2) An affected fan blade is an LPC fan blade, P/N JR31911, P/N 
JR33865, or P/N JR33866, and with an S/N listed in Appendix 1 of RRD 
Alert NMSB TAY-72-A1833, Revision 1, dated January 8, 2018.

(j) 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 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (k)(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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Wego Wang, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7134; fax: 781-238-7199; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2018-0079, dated April 11, 2018, 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-2018-0993.

(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 Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin TAY-72-A1833, Revision 1, dated 
January 8, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For RRD service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone; +49 (0) 33-7086-1200; fax: +49 
(0) 33-086-3276.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (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 July 12, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-15486 Filed 7-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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