Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation AE 2100D3 Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 240 (Thursday, December 14, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75108-75109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21185]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26414; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-42-AD; 
Amendment 39-14854; AD 2006-25-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation AE 2100D3 
Turboprop 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 Corporation (RRC) AE 2100D3 turboprop engines. This AD 
requires removing certain part number (P/N) compressor cone shaft 
assemblies at a new reduced cyclic life limit of 5,000 engine cycles. 
This AD results from low-cycle-fatigue testing and analysis of certain 
P/N compressor cone shaft assemblies, by RRC. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent uncontained failure of the compressor cone shaft assembly, 
leading to engine shutdown and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 29, 2006.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by February 12, 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> Governmentwide 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.
    Contact Rolls-Royce Corporation, P.O. Box 420, Indianapolis, IN 
46206-0420; telephone (317) 230-6400; fax (317) 230-4243 for the 
service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Downs, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, IL 60018-4696; telephone (847) 294-7870; fax (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RRC conducted low-cycle-fatigue testing, and 
strength and life analysis, of compressor cone shaft assemblies, P/Ns 
23050728, 23070729, and 23076017. The study concluded that these 
compressor cone shaft assemblies have a lower fatigue life than 
originally calculated. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in uncontained failure of the compressor cone shaft assembly, leading 
to engine shutdown and damage to the airplane.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    Although no airplanes that are registered in the United States use 
these RRC AE 2100D3 turboprop 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 AE 2100D3 turboprop engines of the 
same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure 
of the compressor cone shaft assembly, leading to engine shutdown and 
damage to the airplane. This AD requires removing compressor cone shaft 
assemblies, P/Ns 23050728, 23070729, and 23076017, at a new reduced 
cyclic life limit of 5,000 engine cycles. The original cyclic life 
limit was 20,000 engine cycles. RRC will revise Chapter 5 of the 
maintenance

[[Page 75109]]

manual to show the new reduced cyclic life limit of 5,000 engine 
cycles.

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 arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-26414; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-42-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 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. 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, 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:

2006-25-13 Rolls-Royce Corporation (formerly Allison Engine Company, 
Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit Diesel Allison): Amendment 
39-14854. Docket No. FAA-2006-26414; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-
42-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
29, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100D3 
turboprop engines with a compressor cone shaft assembly, part number 
23050728, 23070729, or 23076017, installed. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Lockheed Martin C-130J military 
transport airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from low-cycle-fatigue testing and analysis 
of the affected compressor cone shaft assemblies, by RRC. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the compressor 
cone shaft assembly, leading to engine shutdown 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.

Removal of Compressor Cone Shaft Assemblies

    (f) After the effective date of this AD, remove compressor cone 
shaft assemblies from service at the new reduced life limit of 5,000 
engine cycles.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) 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

    (h) Rolls-Royce Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. AE 
2100D3-A-72-249, dated March 14, 2006, pertains to the subject of 
this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 6, 2006.
Diane Cook,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-21185 Filed 12-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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