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

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 130 (Monday, July 12, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36487-36491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14701]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0022; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00395-E; 
Amendment 39-21648; AD 2021-15-01]
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 XWB-75, Trent XWB-79, 
Trent XWB-79B, Trent XWB-84, and Trent XWB-97 model turbofan engines. 
This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the time limits

[[Page 36488]]

manual (TLM) to incorporate repairs to the low-pressure compressor 
(LPC) blades and introduce a new fan blade inspection. This AD requires 
revisions to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the Rolls-
Royce (RR) Trent XWB TLM and the operator's existing approved aircraft 
maintenance program (AMP). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 16, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: +44 (0)1332 242424; website: 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0022.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0022; 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: Scott Stevenson, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199; 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 RRD Trent XWB-75, 
Trent XWB-79, Trent XWB-79B, Trent XWB-84, and Trent XWB-97 model 
turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
February 23, 2021 (86 FR 10878). The NPRM was prompted by the 
manufacturer revising the TLM to incorporate repairs to the LPC blades 
and introduce a new fan blade inspection. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed 
to require revisions to the ALS of the RR Trent XWB TLM, as applicable 
to each engine model, and to the operator's existing approved AMP, to 
include new or more restrictive sections of the applicable RR Trent XWB 
TLM for each affected engine model. 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 2020-0066, dated March 23, 2020 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. 
The MCAI states:

    The Airworthiness Limitations Section instructions for Trent XWB 
engines, which are approved by EASA, are defined and published in 
TLM TRENTXWB-K0680-TIME0-01. These instructions have been identified 
as mandatory for continued airworthiness. Failure to accomplish 
these instructions could result in an unsafe condition.
    Rolls-Royce recently revised the TLM, introducing new and/or 
more restrictive instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
accomplishment of the instructions specified in the TLM, as defined 
in this AD.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0022.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments

    The FAA received comments from two commenters. The commenters were 
Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and Delta Air Lines, 
Inc. (DAL). The following presents the comments received on the NPRM 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Revise Required Actions

    DAL commented that revising the AMP to include the specific 
requirements contained in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) or Figure 2 to 
paragraph (g)(2) is difficult. DAL requested that the FAA revise 
paragraph (g) of this AD to allow incorporation of the specific 
language referenced in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) or Figure 2 to 
paragraph (g)(2) into the AMP instead of only allowing incorporation of 
the figures into the AMP.
    The FAA agrees and has revised Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD 
to clarify that operators may choose to incorporate the language 
referenced in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) or Figure 2 to paragraph 
(g)(2) directly into their existing approved AMP instead of 
incorporating the respective figures into the existing approved AMP.

Request To Include Modification Specifications of the Ultra Long Range 
Operation

    DAL noted that paragraph (g)(1) of the NPRM includes a proposed 
requirement that applies to Trent XWB-84 Ultra Long Range (ULR) 
operation. However, the RR Trent XWB TLM does not define the 
specification of a ULR operation. DAL commented that ULR operation 
requires modification to the airplane. The Trent XWB-84 can be 
installed on both A350-900 standard or ULR operations without any 
modification to the engine. DAL added that the airplane type 
certification data sheet does not specify the modification standards of 
a ULR operation. Since the TLM does not include any specifications of 
ULR operation and the aircraft type certificate data sheet does not 
define this specific standard, DAL requested that the FAA include the 
modification specifications of the ULR operation in the final rule.
    The FAA disagrees. Although the airplane requires modification for 
ULR operation, the Trent XWB-84 model turbofan engine does not require 
modification for ULR operation and can be installed on a standard 
airplane or a ULR airplane. The FAA did not change this AD.

Support for the AD

    ALPA expressed support for the NPRM as written.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, and 
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed 
in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on 
any operator.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce Airworthiness Limitations (Mandatory 
Inspections), TRENTXWB-A-05-20-01-00A01-030A-D, Revision 013, dated 
September 1, 2019, of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB TLM TRENTXWB-K0680-
TIME0-01, and Rolls-Royce Airworthiness Limitations (Mandatory 
Inspections), TRENTXWB-B-05-20-01-00A01-030A-D, Revision 005, dated

[[Page 36489]]

April 1, 2020, of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB TLM TRENTXWB-K0680-TIME0-
01. These two sections of the TLM specify inspection intervals, 
differentiated by engine model, for critical rotating parts.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 22 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS of the RR Trent XWB TLM  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $1,870
 and the operator's existing approved    hour = $85.
 AMP.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2021-15-01 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate 
previously held by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-21648; Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0022; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00395-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 16, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
(Type Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) Trent XWB-75, 
Trent XWB-79, Trent XWB-79B, Trent XWB-84, and Trent XWB-97 model 
turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
Turbine/Turboprop.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the time 
limits manual (TLM) to incorporate repairs to the low-pressure 
compressor (LPC) blades and introduce a new fan blade inspection. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the failure of critical 
rotating parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
Rolls-Royce (RR) Trent XWB TLM, as applicable to each engine model, 
and the operator's existing approved aircraft maintenance program 
(AMP) by incorporating the following:
    (1) For Trent XWB-75, Trent XWB-79, Trent XWB-79B, and Trent 
XWB-84 model turbofan engines, add Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of RR Trent 
XWB TLM TRENTXWB-K0680-TIME0-01 and to the operator's existing 
approved AMP.

[[Page 36490]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JY21.000

    (2) For Trent XWB-97 model turbofan engines, add Figure 2 to 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD to the ALS of RR Trent XWB TLM TRENTXWB-
K0680-TIME0-01 and to the operator's existing approved AMP.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JY21.001


    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) and 
Figure 2 to paragraph (g)(2) contain language from the original 
equipment manufacturer's TLM. Operators may incorporate the language 
referenced in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) or Figure 2 to paragraph 
(g)(2) directly into their AMP instead of adding the respective 
figures into their AMP.

(h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, the operator's existing approved AMP 
is defined as the basis for which the operator or the owner ensures 
the continuing airworthiness of each operated airplane.

(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 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
Related Information. 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Stevenson, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7132; fax: (781) 238-7199; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2020-0066, dated March 23, 2020, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket

[[Page 36491]]

at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2021-0022.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on July 6, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-14701 Filed 7-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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