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

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 19, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12685-12688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04445]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2538; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01211-E; 
Amendment 39-22991; AD 2025-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 12686]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-24-06 
for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model BR700-
710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20, and BR700-710C4-11 engines. AD 2022-24-06 
required initial and repetitive visual inspections of certain low-
pressure compressor (LPC) rotor (fan) disks and replacement of any LPC 
rotor (fan) disk with cracks detected. AD 2022-24-06 also allows for 
modification of the engine in accordance with RRD service information 
as a terminating action to these inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 
2022-24-06, the manufacturer published updated service information and 
revised the engine maintenance manual (EMM) to provide instructions for 
an improved ultrasonic inspection method, which prompted this AD. This 
AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of certain LPC 
rotor (fan) disks and replacement of any LPC rotor (fan) disk with 
cracks detected and would allow modification of the engine as a 
terminating action to the inspections, 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 April 23, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 23, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2538; 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-2024-2538.

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 2022-24-06, Amendment 39-22246 (87 FR 
73919, December 2, 2022), (AD 2022-24-06). AD 2022-24-06 applied to RRD 
Model BR700-710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20, and BR700-710C4-11 engines. AD 
2022-24-06 required initial and repetitive visual inspections of 
certain LPC rotor (fan) disks and replacement of any LPC rotor (fan) 
disk with cracks detected. AD 2022-24-06 also allows for modification 
of the engine in accordance with RRD service information as a 
terminating action to these inspections. The FAA issued AD 2022-24-06 
to prevent failure of the LPC rotor fan or blade.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 26, 2024 (89 
FR 93230). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0110R1, dated November 
22, 2023 (EASA AD 2022-0110R1) (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 updated 
service information and revised the EMM to provide instructions for an 
improved ultrasonic inspection method for certain LPC rotor (fan) 
disks.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain all of the requirements of 
AD 2022-24-06. The NPRM proposed to require initial and repetitive 
visual inspections of certain LPC rotor (fan) disks and replacement of 
any LPC rotor (fan) disk with cracks detected and would allow 
modification of the engine as a terminating action to the inspections, 
as specified in EASA AD 2022-0110R1.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received one comment from an anonymous commenter that 
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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0110R1, which specifies procedures 
for initial and repetitive visual inspections of certain LPC rotor 
(fan) disks, and replacement of any LPC rotor (fan) disk with cracks 
detected.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 586 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect LPC compressor rotor (fan)      4 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $340        $199,240
 disk.                                   hour = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 12687]]

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace LPC compressor rotor (fan) disk.......  10 work-hours x $85 per hour =          $470,000        $470,850
                                                 $850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 AD 2022-24-06, Amendment 39-22246 
(87 FR 73919, December 2, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2025-06-03 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22991; 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2538; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01211-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 23, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2022-24-06, Amendment 39-22246 (87 FR 73919, 
December 2, 2022) (AD 2022-24-06).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Model BR700-710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20, and BR700-710C4-11 engines as 
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0110R1, 
dated November 22, 2023 (EASA AD 2022-0110R1).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on certain low-
pressure compressor (LPC) rotor (fan) disks. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the LPC rotor fan or blade. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in high energy debris 
release, damage to the airplane, and reduced control of 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, EASA AD 2022-0110R1.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0110R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0110R1 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0110R1 requires compliance from ``29 June 
2022 [the effective date of the original issue of this AD],'' this 
AD requires replacing that text with ``January 6, 2023 (the 
effective date of AD 2022-24-06).''
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (7) of 
EASA AD 2022-0110R1. The actions required by paragraph 7 of EASA AD 
2022-0110R1 were included in AD 2022-26-02, Amendment 39-22280 (87 
FR 78846, December 23, 2022), and for this AD may be used for 
informational purposes.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD 
2022-0110R1.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-
0110R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 
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 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.

[[Page 12688]]

    (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 2022-0110R1, 
dated November 22, 2023.
    (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 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 March 11, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-04445 Filed 3-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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