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

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 89290-89292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28549]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1889; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00738-E; 
Amendment 39-22623; AD 2023-24-06]
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) 2021-25-04 
for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000 
engines. AD 2021-25-04 required operators to revise the airworthiness 
limitations section (ALS) of their existing approved continuous 
airworthiness maintenance program by incorporating the revised tasks of 
the applicable time limits manual (TLM) for each affected model 
turbofan engine. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-05-04, the manufacturer 
revised the TLM to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts, which prompted this AD. This AD requires revising the ALS of the 
operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts, 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 31, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 31, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1889; 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.
    <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-2023-1889.

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 2021-25-04, Amendment 39-21847 (86 FR 
71129, December 15, 2021) (AD 2021-25-04). AD 2021-25-04 applied to RRD 
Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, 
Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-
M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 
engines. AD 2021-25-04, which was prompted by EASA AD 2020-0243, dated 
November 5, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0243), required revising the ALS of the 
operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts. The FAA issued AD 2021-25-04 to prevent the failure of critical 
rotating parts, which could result in failure of one or more engines, 
loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.
    Since the FAA issued AD 2021-25-04, EASA superseded EASA AD 2020-
0243 with EASA AD 2022-0247, dated December 14, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-
0247) and then superseded EASA AD 2022-0247 with EASA AD 2023-0115, 
dated June 7, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0115).
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2023 
(88 FR 63885); corrected on September 27, 2023 (88 FR 66316). The NPRM 
was prompted by EASA AD 2023-0115 (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 the manufacturer published a 
revised engine TLM to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1889.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Boeing Company (Boeing). Boeing 
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.

[[Page 89291]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0115, which specifies procedures for 
operators to revise the ALS of the existing approved engine maintenance 
or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds and 
intervals for life-limited parts.
    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 2023-0115 specifies revising the 
approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months after the 
effective date of EASA AD 2023-0115, 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.
    This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), (2), (4), 
and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0115.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2 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......................  1 work-hours x $85 per               $0              $85             $170
                                       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.
    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 2021-25-04, Amendment 39-21847 (86 
FR 71129, December 15, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-24-06 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22623; 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1889; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00738-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 31, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-25-04, Amendment 39-21847 (86 FR 71129, 
December 15, 2021).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 
1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, 
Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 
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 (TLM) life limits of certain critical rotating 
parts and direct accumulation counting data files. 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 (EASA) AD 
2023-0115, dated June 7, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0115).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0115

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0115 defines the AMP as the approved 
Aircraft Maintenance Programme containing the tasks on the basis of 
which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure the 
continuing airworthiness of each operated engine, this AD defines 
the AMP as the aircraft maintenance program containing the tasks on 
the basis of which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure 
the continuing airworthiness of each operated airplane.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0115 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), 
(2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0115.
    (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0115 specifies revising 
the approved AMP within 12 months after the effective date of EASA 
AD 2023-0115, this AD requires

[[Page 89292]]

revising the airworthiness limitations section of the existing 
approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2023-0115.

(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 2023-0115.

(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 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 2023-0115, 
dated June 7, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, 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 material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on November 29, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28549 Filed 12-26-23; 8:45 am]
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