Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 144 (Monday, July 27, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45079-45081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16119]



[[Page 45079]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0424; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00130-E; 
Amendment 39-21171; AD 2020-15-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) 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) Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-A2, 
Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-
CE, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E, Trent 
1000-E2, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H, Trent 1000-H2, 
Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 model turbofan engines. 
This AD was prompted by the manufacturer identifying 38 low-pressure 
compressor (LPC) front cases that have non-optimal properties that 
could inhibit their ability to contain certain engine failures. This AD 
requires removing the LPC front case from service and replacing it with 
a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 31, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 31, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 708 6 0; email: https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0424.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0424; 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), 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: Stephen Elwin, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7236; 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 Trent 1000-A, 
Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-
C2, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 
1000-E, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H, Trent 
1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 model turbofan 
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2020 
(85 FR 23929). The NPRM was prompted by the manufacturer identifying 38 
LPC front cases that have non-optimal properties that could inhibit 
their ability to contain certain engine failures. The NPRM proposed to 
require removing the LPC front case from service and replacing it with 
a part eligible for installation. 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 2019-0286, dated November 26, 2019 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these 
products. The MCAI states:

    Engineering analysis has identified that 38 LPC front cases have 
non-optimal material properties. This could inhibit the intended 
function of the LPC front case to contain certain engine failures.
    This condition, if not corrected, could, in case of fan blade 
failure, lead to high energy debris release, possibly resulting in 
damage to, and reduced control of, the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Rolls-Royce 
developed an updated life management and issued the NMSB, 
identifying those ESN that have an affected part installed, and 
providing the corresponding limit (date) for in-shop front fan case 
replacement.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires removal 
from service of the affected engines to replace the affected parts. 
This [EASA] AD also prohibits re-installation of affected parts.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0424.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. Boeing Commercial Airplanes supported the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce plc Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK294, dated July 16, 2019. The NMSB 
contains the serial numbers of the affected LPC front cases, the engine 
serial numbers on which these LPC front cases are installed, and the 
date to remove each engine from service. 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 three engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 45080]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace the LPC front case.  390 work-hours x $85 per      $1,238,654      $1,271,804      $3,815,412
                                         hour = $33,150.
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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.

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):

2020-15-08 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate 
previously held by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-21171; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0424; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00130-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 31, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type 
Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) Trent 1000-A, Trent 
1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-C2, 
Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 
1000-E, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H, 
Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 model 
turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer identifying 38 low-
pressure compressor (LPC) front cases, part number (P/N) KH26266 
with individual serial numbers (S/Ns), that have non-optimal 
properties that could inhibit their ability to contain certain 
engine failures. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the LPC front case when subjected to high-energy debris release. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained 
release of high-energy debris, 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

    After the effective date of this AD, no later than the required 
removal date specified in Appendix 1 of Rolls-Royce Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK294, dated July 
16, 2019 (``Rolls-Royce Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK294''):
    (1) Remove LPC front case, P/N KH26266 and with a S/N identified 
in Appendix 1 of Rolls-Royce Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK294, and
    (2) Replace the LPC front case with a part eligible for 
installation.

(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 
ECO Branch, 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 Stephen Elwin, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7236; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0286, dated November 26, 2019, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-0424.

(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 plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
Trent 1000 72-AK294, dated July 16, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 708 6 0; email: 
https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

[[Page 45081]]

    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on July 10, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-16119 Filed 7-24-20; 8:45 am]
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