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

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 148 (Thursday, August 1, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37570-37573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16329]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0567; Product Identifier 2019-NE-21-AD; Amendment 
39-19698; AD 2019-15-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-
CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 
1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, 
Trent 1000-Q3 and Trent 1000-R3 engines. This AD requires removal of 
the affected high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk front cover plate before 
reaching its new life limit. This AD was prompted by a recent analysis 
that determined the HPT disk front cover plate may have a safe life 
below its declared life limit. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 16, 2019.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by September 16, 2019.

[[Page 37571]]


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 final rule, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, United 
Kingdom, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; 
email: royce.com">corporate.care@rolls-royce.com; internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare. 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-2019-0567.

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-2019-
0567; 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 street address for Docket Operations is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Besian Luga, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7750; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has 
issued EASA AD 2018-0164R1, dated March 14, 2019 (corrected copy dated 
March 21, 2019) (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address an 
unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Following a recent analysis of the material condition used in 
manufacture of these parts, it was established that the HP turbine 
disc front cover plate may have a safe life below its declared safe 
cyclic life (DSCL).
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to premature 
failure of an affected part, possibly resulting in damage to the 
engine and reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, RR published the 
NMSB to provide the new DSCL and replacement instructions. 
Consequently, EASA issued AD 2018-0164 to require implementation of 
the reduced DSCL and removal from service of those affected parts 
that have exceeded the reduced DSCL.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, further analysis has resulted 
in the approval of an extended life for the affected parts. RR has 
published the TLM Task for this extended limit and it is expected 
the NMSB will be cancelled accordingly.

    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-2019-0567.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
TRENT1000 72-AK057, Initial Issue, dated April 10, 2018. The service 
information describes procedures for either removing the engine 
containing the affected HPT disk front cover plate or replacing the HPT 
disk front cover plate during a shop visit.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by EASA and is approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement 
with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced 
above. The FAA is issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information provided by EASA 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 removal of the affected HPT disk front cover plate 
from service before reaching its new life limit and replacing it with a 
part eligible for installation.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    This AD and EASA AD 2018-0164R1, dated March 14, 2019 (corrected 
copy dated March 21, 2019) require removal of the affected HPT disk 
front cover plate before accumulating 1,250 cycles since first 
installation on an engine. RR ASB Trent1000 72-AK057, Initial Issue, 
dated April 10, 2018, requires removal of the affected HPT disk front 
cover plate before accumulating 865 cycles since first installation. 
Since publication of the ASB, the manufacturer has revised its 
analysis, which has resulted in an extension of the life limit for this 
part to 1,250 cycles.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, the FAA finds 
good cause that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
unnecessary. In addition, for the reason stated above, the FAA finds 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

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, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views, 
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2019-
0567 and Product Identifier 2019-NE-21-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final 
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments we receive, without change, to 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact we receive about this final rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

[[Page 37572]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 0 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT disk front cover plate....  7 work-hours x $85 per          $307,137        $307,732              $0
                                         hour = $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, 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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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):

2019-15-05 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-19698; 
Docket No. FAA-2019-0567; Product Identifier 2019-NE-21-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 16, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 
1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, 
Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3 and Trent 1000-R3 
engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by recent analysis of the material 
condition used in the manufacture of these parts that determined the 
high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk front cover plate may have a safe 
life below its declared safe cyclic life. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the HPT disk front cover plate. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of 
the HPT turbine disk front cover plate, 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

    Remove the HPT disk front cover plate, part number KH59279, from 
service prior to it reaching 1,250 engine cycles since first 
installation on an engine and replace with a part eligible for 
installation.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    Do not install any HPT disk front cover plate, part number 
KH59279, into any engine, or any engine onto any airplane, if that 
part has exceeded 1,250 engine cycles since first installation on an 
engine.

(i) 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 (j) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Besian Luga, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7750; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2018-0164R1, dated March 14, 2019 (corrected copy dated March 21, 
2019), 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-2019-0567.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.


[[Page 37573]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 26, 2019.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-16329 Filed 7-31-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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