Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce, plc RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66229-66231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18964]



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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 219 / Tuesday, November 14, 2006 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 66229]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26052; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-30-AD; 
Amendment 39-14823; AD 2006-23-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce, plc RB211 Trent 768-60, 
772-60, and 772B-60 Turbofan Engines

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rolls-Royce, plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan 
engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive on-wing or in-shop 
inspections of the high pressure (HP)/intermediate pressure (IP) 
turbine bearing oil feed tube heat shield. This AD results from a 
report that a damaged outer heat shield caused fretting of the oil feed 
tubes. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of the 
HP turbine disc and damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective December 19, 2006. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of December 19, 2006.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by January 16, 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 Union, recently 
notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on RR RB211 Trent 768-
60, 772-60 and 772B-60 turbofan engine. EASA advises that a Trent 700 
engine was removed due to oil loss and low-oil pressure. Investigation 
established that a damaged outer heat shield caused fretting of the HP/
IP turbine bearing oil feed tubes. Oil leakage from the oil feed tube 
at the outer heat shield position traveled forward to the cavity in 
front of the HP/IP turbine support structure and ignited. The fire 
caused localized heat damage to the rear of the HPT disc. This incident 
illustrated the possibility for overheating and failure of the HPT disc 
resulting from deterioration of the oil feed tube heat shield.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of RR Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-72-AF045, Revision 2, dated July 27, 
2006. That ASB describes procedures for initial and repetitive on-wing 
or in-shop inspections for cracks in the HP/IPT oil feed tube outer 
heat shield. The CAA issued AD No. 2006-0073, dated April 3, 2006, in 
order to ensure the airworthiness of these RR engines in the United 
Kingdom.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in the United Kingdom, and is 
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, the CAA kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the CAA, 
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 RR RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines of 
the same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained 
failure of the HPT disc and damage to the airplane. This AD requires:
    <bullet> An initial on-wing inspection of the oil feed tube heat 
shield within 10,000 hours or 2,500 cycles on the 05 module since new 
or overhaul or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever is later, or
    <bullet> An initial in-shop inspection of the heat shield of oil 
feed tube during a shop visit of the module 05 where the module 05 is 
not scheduled for overhaul or within 30 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever is later.
    <bullet> Thereafter, a repetitive inspection of the heat shield of 
oil feed tube at an interval determined by the condition of the heat 
shield.
    You must use the service information described previously to 
perform the actions required by this AD.

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. 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

[[Page 66230]]

arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-26052; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NE-30-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, 
including 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 Offices 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. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

2006-23-11 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-14823. Docket No. FAA-2006-
26052; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-30-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
19, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 
772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines that do not incorporate RR 
Service Bulletin RB.211-71-F117 or RB.211-72-048. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A330 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that a damaged outer heat 
shield fretted the oil feed tubes. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
an uncontained failure of the high pressure (HP) turbine disc and 
damage to the airplane.

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.

Initial Inspection

    (f) Initially inspect the HP/IP turbine oil feed tube outer heat 
shield for cracks. Use either 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(3) on-wing 
procedures or 3.B.(1)(a) through 3.B.(1)(e) in-shop procedures of RR 
ASB RB.211-72-AF045, Revision 2, dated July 27, 2006, at one of the 
following compliance times:
    (1) At the next shop visit of the 05 Module regardless of the 
reason for the visit, or
    (2) Before one of the following intervals whichever occurs 
latest:
    (i) 30 days from the effective date of this AD, or
    (ii) 10,000 hours or 2,500 cycles since new, whichever occurs 
first, or
    (iii) 2,500 cycles since overhaul of the 05 Module.

Repetitive Inspection

    (g) Re-inspect the HP/IP turbine oil feed tube outer heat shield 
for cracks as specified in the applicable criteria of paragraphs 
C.(1)(b)(i) through C(1)(b)(vi) or C(2)(b)(i) through C(2)(b)(ii) of 
RR ASB RB.211-72-AF045, Revision 2, dated July 27, 2006. Use either 
3.A.(1) through 3.A.(3) on-wing procedures or 3.B.(1)(a) through 
3.B.(1)(e) in-shop procedures of RR ASB RB.211-72-AF045, Revision 2, 
dated July 27, 2006.

Remove HP/IP Turbine Oil Feed Tube Outer Heat Shields From Service

    (h) Remove from service HP/IP turbine oil feed tube outer heat 
shields according to the applicable criteria in paragraphs 
C(1)(b)(vii) through C(1)(b)(vii) or C(2)(b)(iii) of RR ASB RB.211-
72-AF045, Revision 2, dated July 27, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) 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

    (j) EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0073, dated April 3, 2006, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-
72-AF045, Revision 2, dated July 27, 2006, to perform the 
inspections required by this AD. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service 
bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Rolls-Royce plc P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United 
Kingdom; telephone 44 (0) 1332 242424; Fax 44 (0) 1332 249936 for a 
copy of this service

[[Page 66231]]

information. You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/ federal-register/cfr/ ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 3, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-18964 Filed 11-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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