Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Allison Engine Company) Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71532-71534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24865]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0687; Project Identifier AD-2020-00571-E; 
Amendment 39-21314; AD 2020-22-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Allison Engine Company) Turboprop 
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 Corporation (RRC) AE 2100A, AE 2100D2, AE 2100D2A, and AE 
2100P model turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a 
propeller gearbox (PGB) development test conducted by the manufacturer, 
in which high vibration occurred due to a fatigue crack that initiated 
in the PGB shaft and carrier assembly. This AD requires assignment of 
usage hours to the PGB shaft and carrier assembly at the next engine 
shop visit and replacement of PGB shaft and carrier assemblies prior to 
exceeding the new life limits established by the manufacturer. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 15, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 15, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Rolls-Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code 
NB-01-06, Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-1667; email: 
royce.com">CMSEindyOSD@rolls-royce.com; internet: www.rolls-royce.com. 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-
0687.

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-
0687; 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, 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: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; 
phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRC AE 2100A, AE 
2100D2, AE 2100D2A, and AE 2100P model turboprop engines. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2020 (85 FR 48482). The 
NPRM was prompted by a report of a PGB development test conducted by 
the manufacturer, in which high vibration occurred due to a fatigue 
crack that initiated in the PGB shaft and carrier assembly. In the 
NPRM, the FAA proposed to require the assignment of usage hours to the 
PGB shaft and carrier assembly at the next engine shop visit and 
replacement of PGB shaft and carrier assemblies before exceeding the 
new life limits established by the manufacturer. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. The FAA has 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 2100A-A-72-
322/AE 2100P-A-72-047, Revision 1 (single document), dated May 11, 
2018, and RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-
111, Revision 1 (single document), dated May 28, 2018. RRC ASB AE 
2100A-A-72-322/AE 2100P-A-72-047 describes procedures for assigning 
usage hours to the PGB shaft and carrier assemblies on RRC AE 2100A and 
AE 2100P model engines. RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/
AE 2100J-A-72-111 describes procedures for verifying the PGB shaft and 
carrier assembly serial numbers and assigning usage hours to the PGB 
shaft and carrier assemblies on RRC AE 2100D2 and AE 2100D2A model 
engines. 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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Task 05-10-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100A Engine 
Maintenance Manual (MM) CSP31005, Revision 57, dated August 15, 2019, 
and Task 05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 2100A Engine MM CSP31005, Revision 
57, dated August 15, 2019. Task 05-10-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100A Engine 
MM provides information for

[[Page 71533]]

determining the usage hours and engine cycles for each life-limited 
part on RRC AE 2100A model engines. Task 05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 
2100A Engine MM specifies the PGB shaft and carrier assembly life 
limits.
    The FAA reviewed Task 05-11-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100D2 and AE 
2100D2A Engine MM CSP34081, Revision 64, dated June 1, 2020, and Task 
05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 2100D2 and AE 2100D2A Engine MM CSP34081, 
Revision 64, dated June 1, 2020. Task 05-11-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100D2 
and AE 2100D2A Engine MM provides information for determining the usage 
hours and engine cycles for each life-limited part on RRC AE 2100D2 and 
AE 2100D2A model engines. Task 05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 2100D2 and AE 
2100D2A Engine MM specifies the PGB shaft and carrier assembly life 
limits.
    The FAA reviewed Task 05-10-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100P Engine MM 
CSP31015, Revision 15, dated May 15, 2018. Task 05-10-00-800-801 of RRC 
AE 2100P Engine MM provides information for determining the usage hours 
and engine cycles for each life-limited part on RRC AE 2100P model 
engines. Task 05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 2100P Engine MM specifies the 
PGB shaft and carrier assembly life limits.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 18 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assign usage hours to PGB shaft and     3 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $255          $4,590
 carrier assembly.                       hour = $255.
Remove and replace PGB shaft and        15 work-hours x $85 per           49,952          51,227         922,086
 carrier assembly.                       hour = $1,275.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 that 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):

2020-22-18 Rolls-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate previously held 
by Allison Engine Company): Amendment 39-21314; Docket No. FAA-2020-
0687; Project Identifier AD-2020-00571-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 15, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) (Type 
Certificate previously held by Allison Engine Company) AE 2100A, AE 
2100D2, AE 2100D2A, and AE 2100P model turboprop engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7210, Turbine Engine 
Reduction Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a propeller gearbox (PGB) 
development test in which high vibration occurred due to a fatigue 
crack that initiated in the propeller shaft. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent loss of the propeller. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in 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) No later than the next shop visit for the engine with the 
PGB, or the next shop visit for the PGB only, whichever shop visit 
occurs first after the effective date of this AD, assign usage hours 
to the installed PGB shaft and carrier assembly using RRC Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 2100A-A-72-322/AE 2100P-A-72-047, Revision 
1 (single document), dated May 11, 2018, or RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-
111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-111, Revision 1 (single 
document), dated May 28, 2018.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, before exceeding the 
life limit (usage hours) specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(2) 
(Table 1) of this AD, remove the PGB shaft and carrier assembly, 
identified by part numbers (P/Ns) in Table 1, from service and 
replace with a part eligible for installation.

[[Page 71534]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10NO20.001

(h) No Reporting Requirement

    The reporting requirements in RRC ASB AE 2100A-A-72-322/AE 
2100P-A-72-047, Revision 1 (single document), dated May 11, 2018, 
and RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-111, 
Revision 1 (single document), dated May 28, 2018, are not required 
by this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for assigning the usage hours required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD if you performed the action before the 
effective date of this AD using RRC ASB AE 2100A-A-72-322/AE 2100P-
A-72-047, original issue (single document), dated January 15, 2018, 
or RR AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-111, 
original issue (single document), dated January 15, 2018.

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

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

(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 Corporation (RRC) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
AE 2100A-A-72-322/AE 2100P-A-72-047, Revision 1 (single document), 
dated May 11, 2018.
    (ii) RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-
72-111, Revision 1 (single document), dated May 28, 2018.
    (3) For RRC service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-
06, Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-1667; email: 
royce.com">CMSEindyOSD@rolls-royce.com; internet: www.rolls-royce.com.
    (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.
    (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 October 23, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24865 Filed 11-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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