Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 Turbofan Engines.

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 7, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65043-65044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18702]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25855; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-29-AD; 
Amendment 39-14819; AD 2006-23-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 
772-60, and Trent 772B-60 Turbofan Engines.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan 
engines. This AD requires removing from service certain sets of fan 
blade annulus fillers at a new life limit. This AD results from six 
reports of fan annulus filler release into the engine. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent a dual-engine shutdown on twin-engine airplanes.

DATES: Effective November 22, 2006.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by January 8, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone: (781) 238-7175, fax: (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for the European community, 
recently notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on Rolls-Royce 
plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan engines. 
EASA advises that six occurrences of the release of a fan annulus 
filler into the engine have occurred in 2005. Because of the number of 
events, there is a risk of a dual-engine shutdown on twin-engine 
airplanes.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    These Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 
turbofan engines are manufactured in the United Kingdom. They are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Under this bilateral 
airworthiness agreement, EASA kept the FAA informed of the situation 
described above. We have examined the findings of EASA, reviewed all 
available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for 
products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the 
United States.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    Although no airplanes that are registered in the United States use 
these engines, the possibility exists that the engines could be used on 
airplanes that are registered in the United States in the future. The 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on 
other Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 
turbofan engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent a dual-engine shutdown on twin-engine airplanes. This AD 
requires the following:
    <bullet> On or before December 31, 2006, if an airplane has fan 
annulus fillers, part number (P/N) FK21226, installed in both engines 
or has fan annulus fillers, P/N FK21226, in one engine and P/N FK22974, 
in the other engine, then the accumulated life of the fan annulus 
fillers on at least one engine must not exceed 7,500 cycles-in-service 
(CIS). Replace one of the engines, or one set of fan annulus fillers 
before further flight to comply with this requirement.
    <bullet> After December 31, 2006, remove sets of fan annulus 
fillers, P/N FK21226, before exceeding the life limit of 6,500 CIS.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this engine 
model, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD 
are unnecessary.

[[Page 65044]]

A situation exists that allows the immediate adoption of this 
regulation.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-25855; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-29-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets. This 
includes the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the 
comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You 
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management 
Facility Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in 
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
the DMS receives them.

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.
    We are 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

    We have 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 the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal 
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2006-23-07 Rolls Royce plc: Amendment 39-14819. Docket No. FAA-2006-
25855; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-29-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
22, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-
60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan engines. These engines are installed 
on, but not limited to, Airbus A330 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from six reports of fan annulus filler 
release into the engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual-
engine shutdown on twin-engine airplanes.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Actions to Take on or Before December 31, 2006

    (f) On or before December 31, 2006, if an airplane has fan 
annulus fillers, part number (P/N) FK21226, installed in both 
engines or has fan annulus fillers, P/N FK21226, in one engine and 
P/N FK22974, in the other engine, then the accumulated life of the 
fan annulus fillers on at least one engine must not exceed 7,500 
cycles-in-service (CIS). Replace one of the engines, or one set of 
fan annulus fillers before further flight to comply with this 
requirement.

Actions to Take After December 31, 2006

    (g) After December 31, 2006, remove sets of fan annulus fillers, 
P/N FK21226, before exceeding the life limit of 6,500 CIS.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (i) EASA airworthiness directive No. 2006-0116, dated May 8, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.
    (j) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AF109, 
dated March 28, 2006, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 31, 2006.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-18702 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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