Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG Engines

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65118-65120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20485]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1212; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00423-E; 
Amendment 39-22538; AD 2023-17-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG 
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) Model RB211 Trent 768-60, 
772-60, and 772B-60 engines. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks 
on affected intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft balance 
lands. This AD requires repetitive on-wing or in-shop borescope 
inspections (BSIs) of the affected IPC rotor shaft balance land for 
cracks and replacement of any IPC rotor shaft if necessary and 
prohibits the installation of an affected IPC rotor shaft on any 
engine, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 26, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 26, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No.FAA-2023-1212; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA service information identified in this final 
rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: 
easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at 
ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <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-2023-1212.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; 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 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD Model RB211 
Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on June 14, 2023 (88 FR 38759). The NPRM was prompted 
by AD 2022-0055, dated March 23, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0055) (also 
referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that 
cracking on the IPC rotor shaft balance land has been historically 
observed on RRD Model Trent 700 engines. To address this unsafe 
condition, Rolls-Royce plc (RR) originally developed Modification 72-
AG402, which introduced a revised balancing method that removed the 
original balancing weights from the IPC rotor shaft balance land and 
published RR Service Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-

[[Page 65119]]

AG402 to provide instructions for an in-service modification. In 
addition, RR published Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-
72-AG085, Revision 3, dated August 27, 2021, to provide instructions 
for an in-shop eddy current inspection (ECI) of the IPC rotor shaft 
balance land. Consequently, EASA issued EASA AD 2018-0049R2, dated 
September 13, 2021 (EASA AD 2018-0049R2).
    Since EASA issued EASA AD 2018-0049R2, RR determined that some RRD 
Model Trent 700 engines (post-RR SB RB.211-72-AG402) were not inspected 
in accordance with RR NMSB RB.211-72-AG085 during engine refurbishment 
due to the policy applied previously from RR NMSB RB.211-72-AG085, 
Revision 2. RR identified the affected batch of IPC rotor shaft balance 
lands and published RR NMSB RB.211-72-AK706, Initial Issue, dated 
November 24, 2021, which describes procedures to perform a BSI of the 
IPC rotor shaft balance land until the in-shop ECI is accomplished in 
accordance with RR NMSB RB.211-72-AG085. To address this, EASA issued 
the MCAI.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the MCAI described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1212.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

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 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 NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0055, which specifies procedures for 
performing repetitive on-wing or in-shop BSIs of the IPC rotor shaft 
balance land and, if any discrepancies are detected, accomplishing the 
applicable corrective actions or replacing the IPC rotor shaft. The 
MCAI also specifies prohibiting the installation of an affected IPC 
rotor shaft on any engine and that accomplishing an in-shop ECI of the 
IPC rotor shaft balance land or replacing the IPC rotor shaft 
constitutes as terminating action for the repetitive BSIs.
    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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    EASA AD 2022-0055 applies to RRD Model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 
772B-60, and 772C-60 engines. This AD does not apply to RRD Model RB211 
Trent 772C-60 engines, as this model engine does not have an FAA type 
certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 62 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSI of IPC rotor shaft balance land.  4.50 work-hours x $85                $0          $382.50          $23,715
                                       per hour = $382.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace IPC rotor shaft......................  50 work-hours x $85 per hour =       $2,120,000       $2,124,250
                                                $4,250.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 65120]]

    (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:

2023-17-12 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG Engines: Amendment 
39-22538; Docket No. FAA-2023-1212; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
00423-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 26, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG Model 
RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the intermediate-
pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft balance land. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect cracks on the IPC rotor shaft balance 
land. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to IPC 
rotor shaft failure and consequent uncontained high-energy debris, 
possibly resulting in damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 
2022-0055, dated March 23, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0055).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0055

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0055 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2022-0055.
    (3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-
0055 specifies to use certain tooling, equivalent tooling may be 
used.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0055 
specifies to notify the manufacturer or supply pictures to the 
manufacturer of any cracks, dents, or nicks, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone: (781) 238-7241; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0055, 
dated March 23, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0055, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: 
[email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD 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.

    Issued on September 18, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-20485 Filed 9-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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