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

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 244 (Thursday, December 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72840-72842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27628]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0364; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00119-E; 
Amendment 39-21872; AD 2021-26-13]
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-A2, Trent 1000-
AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 
1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 
model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer 
revising the engine Time Limits Manual (TLM) life limits of certain 
critical rotating parts, updating direct accumulation counting (DAC) 
data files, and updating certain maintenance tasks. This AD requires 
revision of the engine TLM life limits of certain critical rotating 
parts and DAC data files, as specified in a European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 27, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 27, 
2022.

[[Page 72841]]


ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact 
the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 
221 8999 000; email: [email protected]. You may find this material on 
the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 
material 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 (817) 222-5110. It 
is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0364.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0364; 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 
EASA AD, 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: Kevin M. Clark, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7088; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to RRD Trent 
1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, 
Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-
K2, and Trent 1000-L2 model turbofan engines. The SNPRM published in 
the Federal Register on September 20, 2021 (86 FR 52111). The SNPRM was 
prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine TLM life limits of 
certain critical rotating parts, updating DAC data files, and updating 
certain maintenance tasks. The SNPRM proposed to require operators to 
revise the ALS of their approved maintenance program by incorporating 
the revised tasks of the applicable TLM for each affected model 
turbofan engine. The SNPRM proposed to require accomplishing the 
actions specified in EASA AD 2020-0241, dated November 5, 2020 (also 
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
the MCAI), as incorporated by reference, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of the proposed AD and 
except as discussed under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and 
the EASA AD.'' The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.
    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0241 to correct an unsafe 
condition for all RRD Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, 
Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 
1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 model turbofan 
engines.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received one comment from an individual commenter. The 
commenter expressed support for the SNPRM without change, but 
incorrectly referenced automotive engines within the rationale for the 
support.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
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, this 
AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2020-0241. EASA AD 2020-0241 requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in RRD's updated TLM for 
affected engines as specified in Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TLM T-Trent-
10RRC, Chapters 05-10 and 05-20, Revision 20, dated August 1, 2020. 
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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 20 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 continuous airworthiness     1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $1,700
 maintenance program.                    hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.[FEDREG][VOL]*[/VOL][NO]*[/NO][DATE]*[/
DATE][RULES][RULE][PREAMB][AGENCY]*[/AGENCY][SUBJECT]*[/SUBJECT][/
PREAMB][SUPLINF][HED]*[/HED]
    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:

[[Page 72842]]

    (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.

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:

2021-26-13 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate 
previously held by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-21872; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0364; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00119-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 27, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type 
Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) (RRD) Trent 1000-A2, 
Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 
1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, 
and Trent 1000-L2 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 engine 
Time Limits Manual life limits of certain critical rotating parts, 
updating the direct accumulation counting data files, and updating 
certain maintenance tasks. 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

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2020-0241, 
dated November 5, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0241).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0241

    (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2020-0241 are not required by this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2020-0241 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0241 specifies revising the 
approved airworthiness maintenance program within 12 months after 
its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing 
approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program within 90 days 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (4) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2020-0241.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0241 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(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) of this AD. Information may be emailed 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Kevin M. Clark, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7088; fax: (781) 238-7199; 
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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0241, 
dated November 5, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2020-0241, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: 
[email protected]. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at 
https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this service information at the 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 (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this material 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 December 9, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27628 Filed 12-22-21; 8:45 am]
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