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

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 213 (Monday, November 6, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76102-76104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24383]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1410; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01517-E; 
Amendment 39-22575; AD 2023-21-03]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-26-10 
for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model RB211-
524G2-19, RB211-524G3-19, RB211-524H-36, and RB211-524H2-19 engines. AD 
2013-26-10 required a one-time reduction in the cyclic life of certain 
high-pressure compressor (HPC) rotor stage 1 and stage 2 disks, and 
removal of disks that exceed the reduced cycle life. Since the FAA 
issued AD 2013-26-10, the manufacturer has revised the engine time 
limits manual (TLM), introducing new and more restrictive instructions. 
This AD is prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine time limits 
manual, introducing new and more restrictive instructions. This AD 
requires revisions to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of 
the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, 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 December 11, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 11, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1410; 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 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. It 
is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1410.
    <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.

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 to supersede AD 2013-26-10, Amendment 39-17719 (79 FR 1315, 
January 8, 2014), (AD 2013-26-10). AD 2013-26-10 applied to certain RRD 
Model RB211-524G2-19, RB211-524G3-19, RB211-524H-36, and RB211-524H2-19 
engines. AD 2013-26-10 required a one-time reduction in the cyclic life 
of certain HPC rotor stage 1 and stage 2 disks, and removal of disks 
that exceed the reduced cycle life. The FAA issued AD 2013-26-10 to 
prevent the failure of certain life-limited parts, which could result 
in uncontained engine damage and damage to the airplane.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 11, 2023 (88 FR 
44075). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0232, dated November 28, 2022 
(EASA AD 2022-0232) (referred to after this as the MCAI), issued by 
EASA which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Union. The MCAI states that the ALS for RB211-524G/H engines, which is 
approved by EASA, is defined and published in TLM T-211(524)-7RR, and 
that these airworthiness limitations have been identified as mandatory 
for continued airworthiness. The MCAI also states that since the 
original issue of TLM T-211(524)-7RR, updated thresholds and intervals 
were introduced for newly designed parts. EASA AD 2013-0246 was issued 
to require implementation of the reduced cyclic life limit and 
replacement of HPC stage 1 and 2 disks before exceeding their life 
limit. The MCAI also states that the manufacturer published a revised 
engine TLM since EASA AD 2013-0246 was issued, introducing new and more 
restrictive instructions. The ALS defined in the revised engine TLM 
also adds RRD Model RB211-524G2-T-19, RB211-524G3-T-19, RB211-524H-T-
36, and RB211-524H2-T-19 engines to the list of affected engines.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1410.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing 
approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations, which 
are specified in EASA AD 2022-0232 described previously, except for any 
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD 
and as discussed under ``Differences Between this AD and the MCAI.''

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA). ALPA 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 2022-0232, which specifies instructions 
for

[[Page 76103]]

accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable TLM, including 
performing maintenance tasks, replacing life-limited parts, and 
revising the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated 
thresholds and intervals described in the TLM.
    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

    Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0232 specifies revising the 
approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months after the 
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0232, this AD requires revising the ALS 
of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.

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 existing        1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85           $1,870
 approved engine maintenance or        hour = $85.
 inspection program.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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 2013-26-10, Amendment 39-17719 (79 
FR 1315, January 8, 2014); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-21-03 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22575; 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1410; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01517-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 11, 
2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-26-10, Amendment 39-17719 (79 FR 1315, 
January 8, 2014).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Model RB211-524G2-19, RB211-524G2-T-19, RB211-524G3-19, RB211-524G3-
T-19, RB211-524H-36, RB211-524H-T-36, RB211-524H2-19, and RB211-
524H2-T-19 engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine 
time limits manual, introducing new and more restrictive 
instructions. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
certain life-limited parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in uncontained engine damage and 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 paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0232, dated November 28, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0232).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0232

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0232 defines the AMP as the ``approved 
Aircraft Maintenance Programme which contains the tasks on the basis 
of which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure the 
continuing airworthiness of each operated engine,'' replace that 
text with the ``Aircraft Maintenance Program which contains the 
tasks of which the operator or the owner ensures the continuing 
airworthiness of each operated airplane.''
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0232 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (1) of 
EASA AD 2022-0232.
    (4) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (2) of 
EASA AD 2022-0232.
    (5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0232 specifies revising 
the approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months after 
the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0232, this AD requires revising 
the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the

[[Page 76104]]

existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (6) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (4) of 
EASA AD 2022-0232.
    (7) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (5) of 
EASA AD 2022-0232.
    (8) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2022-0232.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    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 2022-0232.

(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 
responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the AIR-520 Continued 
Operational Safety Branch, 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 2022-0232, 
dated November 28, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0232, 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 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 October 18, 2023.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-24383 Filed 11-3-23; 8:45 am]
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