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

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 95088-95090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28094]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2014; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00162-E; 
Amendment 39-22883; AD 2024-23-04]
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) 2023-21-08 
for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000 
engines. AD 2023-21-08 required revisions to the airworthiness 
limitation section (ALS) of the operator's existing approved aircraft 
maintenance program (AMP). This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's 
revision of the time limits manual (TLM) to introduce new or more 
restrictive tasks, limitations, and associated thresholds and intervals 
for life-limited parts. This AD requires revisions to the ALS of the 
operator's existing approved 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 6, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 6, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2014; 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 material identified in this AD, 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.
    <bullet> You may view this material 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-2024-2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2023-21-08, Amendment 39-22580 (88 FR 
77889, November 14, 2023) (AD 2023-21-08). AD 2023-21-08 applied to 
certain RRD Model Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 
1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H 
engines. AD 2023-21-08 required revisions to the ALS of the operator's 
existing approved AMP as specified in EASA AD 2022-0259, dated December 
20, 2022. The FAA issued AD 2023-21-08 to prevent the failure of 
critical rotating parts.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2024 (89 FR 
65270). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0062, dated March 6, 2024 
(EASA AD 2024-0062) (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 TLM 
introducing new or more restrictive tasks and limitations. These new or 
more restrictive tasks and limitations include updating Direct 
Accumulation Counting data files.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain none of the requirements of 
AD 2023-21-08. The NPRM proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
operator's existing approved AMP, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0062. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the failure of rotating parts.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2014.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Boeing Company, who supported 
the NPRM without change.

[[Page 95089]]

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0062, which specifies instructions 
for 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 material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    Where EASA AD 2024-0062 specifies revising the approved AMP within 
12 months after the effective date of EASA AD 2024-0062, this AD 
requires revising the ALS of the existing approved aircraft maintenance 
or inspection program, as applicable, within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 28 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           $2,380
                                       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 2023-21-08, Amendment 39-22580 (88 
FR 77889, November 14, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2024-23-04 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22883; 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2014; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00162-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 6, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2023-21-08, Amendment 39-22580 (88 FR 77889, 
November 14, 2023).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 
1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H 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 life limits of certain critical rotating parts. 
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 critical rotating parts, which 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 
2024-0062, dated March 6, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0062).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0062

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0062 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

[[Page 95090]]

    (2) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), 
(2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0062.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0062 specifies ``Within 
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved 
AMP,'' for this AD, replace that text with ``Within 30 days after 
the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitation 
section (ALS) of the existing approved engine maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable.''
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0062 is on or before the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0062 or within 30 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD 
2024-0062.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    No alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed for compliance with paragraph (g) 
of this AD unless they are approved as specified in the provisions 
of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2024-0062.

(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, 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 Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0062, 
dated March 6, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material 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 material 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 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 12, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28094 Filed 11-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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