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

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 246 (Friday, December 23, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78846-78849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27925]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1234; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00289-E; 
Amendment 39-22280; AD 2022-26-02]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-05-13 
for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-710 series 
turbofan engines. AD 2013-05-13 required replacing the affected fuel 
pump splined couplings. Since the FAA issued AD 2013-05-13, the 
manufacturer has revised the time limits manual (TLM), introducing new 
and more restrictive instructions, including the replacement of the 
fuel pump splined coupling. This AD is prompted by service experience 
that demonstrated premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel 
pump and subsequent manufacturer revision of the TLM to incorporate 
revised life limits and updated mandatory inspection intervals, 
including replacement of the fuel pump splined coupling. This AD 
expands the applicability by adding a model turbofan engine and also 
requires revisions to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of 
the operator's existing approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP), 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, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 27, 
2023.

ADDRESSES:
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1234; 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

[[Page 78847]]

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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA material identified in this final rule, contact 
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 
8999 000; email: [email protected].
    <bullet> 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 (817) 222-5110. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1234.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7241; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2013-05-13, Amendment 39-17385 (78 FR 
17080, March 20, 2013) (AD 2013-05-13). AD 2013-05-13 applied to 
certain RRD BR700-710 series turbofan engines. AD 2013-05-13 required 
replacing the affected fuel pump splined couplings. The FAA issued AD 
2013-05-13 to prevent failure of the engine and loss of the airplane.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 26, 2022 
(87 FR 58289). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0033, dated March 
03, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0033) (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union. EASA AD 2022-0033 states that since the 
certification of the BR700-710 engines, several changes have been made 
to the TLM by the manufacturer, introducing new and more restrictive 
instructions, including the replacement of the fuel pump splined 
coupling. EASA AD 2022-0033 expands the applicability to include BR700-
710D5-21 model turbofan engines and specifies accomplishing the actions 
in the TLM.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1234.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to expand the applicability to 
include BR700-710D5-21 model turbofan engines. In the NPRM, the FAA 
also proposed to require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 
2022-0033, described previously, except for any difference or 
exceptions identified in the NPRM. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received one comment from an anonymous commenter that 
supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 
considered the comment received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting the 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 NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0033, which describes actions for 
operators to revise the ALS of their existing approved AMP in 
accordance with the manufacturer's revised TLM, as applicable to each 
engine model. EASA AD 2022-0033 also describes actions for performing 
inspections, replacing life limited parts, and performing corrective 
actions for any finding of discrepancy as referenced in the TLM.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed RRD Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
BR700-72-A900509, Revision 5, dated March 07, 2022. This service 
information revises previous versions of this NMSB because the 
specified procedures have been incorporated into the applicable TLM.
    The FAA also reviewed Rolls-Royce TLM T-710-1BR, Revision 70, for 
engine model BR700-710A1-10; TLM T-710-2BR, Revision 67, for engine 
model BR700-710A2-20; TLM T-710-4BR, Revision 40, for engine model 
BR700-710C4-11 (each dated October 13, 2021); and TLM T-710-8BR, 
Revision 18, for engine model BR700-710D5-21 (undated). This service 
information specifies thresholds for certain standard equipment; 
critical, sensitive, and unclassified parts; and life limited parts. 
This service information also specifies the replacement threshold for 
the fuel pump vespel coupling (fuel pump splined coupling).

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,050 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that 1,350 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. Registry have already performed the 
initial replacement of the fuel pump splined coupling.
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Replacement of the fuel pump    6 work-hours x $85.00             $2,273          $2,783      $1,948,100
 splined coupling.                       per hour = $510.
Revise the ALS and the operator's       2 work-hours x $85.00                  0             170         348,500
 existing approved AMP.                  per hour = $170.
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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

[[Page 78848]]

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

    The FAA has determined that 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.

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2013-05-13, Amendment 39-17385 (78 
FR 17080, March 20, 2013); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2022-26-02 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate 
previously held by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-22280; Docket No. 
FAA-2022-1234; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00289-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 27, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-05-13, Amendment 39-17385 (78 FR 17080, 
March 20, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG BR700-
710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20, BR700-710C4-11, and BR700-710D5-21 model 
turbofan engines as identified in European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0033, dated March 03, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-
0033).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 8300, Accessory 
Gearboxes.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by service experience that demonstrated 
premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel pump and 
subsequent manufacturer revision of the time limits manual (TLM) to 
incorporate revised life limits and updated mandatory inspection 
intervals, including replacement of the fuel pump splined coupling. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent premature wear of the splined 
coupling on the fuel pump. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of the engine and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Action

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: 
Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified 
in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0033.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0033

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0033 defines the AMP as the approved 
Aircraft Maintenance Programme on the basis of which the operator or 
the owner ensures the continuing airworthiness of each operated 
engine, this AD defines the AMP as the Aircraft Maintenance Program 
on the basis of which the operator or the owner ensures the 
continuing airworthiness of each operated airplane.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0033 refers to the effective date of EASA 
AD 2022-0033, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (1.2) of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.
    (4) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (2) of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.
    (5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0033 specifies revising 
the approved AMP within 12 months after its effective date, this AD 
requires incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and 
intervals, including life limits and maintenance tasks, into the 
existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
within 30 days of the initial replacement of the fuel pump splined 
coupling or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever comes later.
    (6) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (4) of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.
    (7) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (5) of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.
    (8) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2022-0033.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions, Thresholds, and Intervals, 
Including Life Limits

    After performing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as 
specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.

(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 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email 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) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 
MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7241; 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 AD 2022-0033, dated 
March 03, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0033, contact 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 ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) 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 (817) 222-5110.
    (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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


[[Page 78849]]


    Issued on December 7, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-27925 Filed 12-22-22; 8:45 am]
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