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

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45564-45566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11326]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1652; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01528-E; 
Amendment 39-22751; AD 2024-10-06]
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 four airworthiness directives (ADs) for 
all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model RB211-535E4-37, 
RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-C-37 engines. The superseded ADs 
required recalculating the cyclic life for certain engine life-limited 
rotating parts and replacing those parts that have exceeded their 
cyclic life limit within specified compliance times. Since the FAA 
issued those ADs, the manufacturer has revised the engine time limits 
manual (TLM), introducing new and more restrictive instructions. This 
AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the 
existing approved maintenance or inspection program, 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 June 27, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 27, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1652; 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, 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-2023-1652.

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 2003-17-15, Amendment 39-13290 (68 FR 
51682, August 28, 2003) (AD 2003-17-15); AD 2013-19-17, Amendment 39-
17599 (78 FR 61171, October 3, 2013; corrected November 14, 2013 (78 FR 
68360)) (AD 2013-19-17); AD 2013-19-18, Amendment 39-17600 (78 FR 
61168, October 3, 2013) (AD 2013-19-18); AD 2015-17-21, Amendment 39-
18254 (80 FR 65925, October 28, 2015) (AD 2015-17-21); and AD 2016-03-
04, Amendment 39-18391 (81 FR 6755, February 9, 2016) (AD 2016-03-04) 
for RRD Model RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-C-37 
engines. The NPRM also affected AD 2004-19-04, Amendment 39-13798 (69 
FR 56683, September 22, 2004; corrected September 30, 2004 (69 FR 
58257)) (AD 2004-19-04) for Model RB211-22B, RB211-524, and RB211-535 
series engines. Those ADs required recalculating the cyclic life for 
certain engine life-limited rotating parts, replacing those parts that 
have exceeded their cyclic life limit within specified compliance 
times, and revising the engine TLM. The FAA issued those ADs to prevent 
failure of critical life-limited rotating engine parts, which could 
result in uncontained parts release, uncontained engine failure, damage 
to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2023 (88 FR 
51742). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0235, dated December 1, 
2022 (EASA AD 2022-0235) (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 introducing new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations. These new or more restrictive tasks and limitations 
include updating declared lives of certain critical parts.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1652.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain none of the requirements of 
AD 2003-17-15, AD 2013-19-17, AD 2013-19-18, AD 2015-17-21, and AD 
2016-03-04. The NPRM proposed to require revising the existing approved 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 2022-
0235. The

[[Page 45565]]

NPRM also proposed to terminate all requirements of AD 2004-19-04 for 
Model RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-C-37 engines 
only.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from three commenters. The commenters 
were the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), Boeing, and 
StandardAero. ALPA and Boeing supported the NPRM without change. The 
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response.

Request To Consider Artificial Aging Requirements in AD 2016-03-04

    StandardAero noted that AD 2016-03-04 incorporates the new life as 
published in the latest TLM revision and applies an artificial aging 
calculation that is not included in the TLM revision for specific part 
numbers. The commenter asked the FAA to clarify if the artificial aging 
calculation required by AD 2016-03-04 is no longer required.
    The FAA agrees that the artificial aging calculation for components 
that is specified in RRD Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. 
RB.211-72-AH972, Revision 3, dated August 28, 2015, and required by AD 
2016-03-04, is necessary to evaluate the total life consumed for the 
applicable parts. Therefore, the FAA has determined not to supersede AD 
2016-03-04 and has revised this final rule accordingly.

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 comments 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, and any other changes described previously, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 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 2022-0235, which specifies instructions 
for accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable engine 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 engine 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 468 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         $39,780
 approved maintenance or inspection      hour = $85.
 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 2003-17-15, Amendment 39-13290 (68 
FR 51682, August 28, 2003); Airworthiness Directive 2013-19-17, 
Amendment 39-17599 (78 FR 61171, October 3, 2013; corrected November 
14, 2013 (78 FR 68360)); Airworthiness Directive 2013-19-18, Amendment 
39-17600 (78 FR 61168, October 3, 2013); and Airworthiness Directive 
2015-17-21, Amendment 39-18254 (80 FR 65925, October 28, 2015); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2024-10-06 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22751; 
Docket

[[Page 45566]]

No. FAA-2023-1652; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01528-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 27, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    (1) This AD replaces AD 2003-17-15, Amendment 39-13290 (68 FR 
51682, August 28, 2003).
    (2) This AD affects AD 2004-19-04, Amendment 39-13798 (69 FR 
56683, September 22, 2004; corrected September 30, 2004 (69 FR 
58257)) (AD 2004-19-04).
    (3) This AD replaces AD 2013-19-17, Amendment 39-17599 (78 FR 
61171, October 3, 2013; corrected November 14, 2013 (78 FR 68360)).
    (4) This AD replaces AD 2013-19-18, Amendment 39-17600 (78 FR 
61168, October 3, 2013).
    (5) This AD replaces AD 2015-17-21, Amendment 39-18254 (80 FR 
65925, October 28, 2015).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-C-37 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 and the life limits of certain critical rotating 
parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of critical 
rotating parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in uncontained parts release, uncontained engine failure, damage to 
the engine, 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 
2022-0235, dated December 1, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0235).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0235

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0235 defines the AMP as the 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, this AD defines the AMP as 
the Aircraft Maintenance Program which contains the tasks on the 
basis of which the operator or the owner ensures the continuing 
airworthiness of each operated airplane.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0235 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) and 
(2) of EASA AD 2022-0235.
    (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0235 specifies revising 
the approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months after 
the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0235, this AD requires revising 
the airworthiness limitations section of the existing approved 
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 
2022-0235.

(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 2022-0235.

(j) Terminating Action for AD 2004-19-04

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all 
requirements of AD 2004-19-04 for Model RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-
B-37, and RB211-535E4-C-37 engines only.

(k) 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 AIR-520 Continued Operational 
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (l) 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.

(l) 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].

(m) 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 2022-0235, 
dated December 1, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0235, 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 May 17, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-11326 Filed 5-22-24; 8:45 am]
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