Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 500 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 105 (Friday, May 30, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31017-31019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11946]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27955; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-15-AD; 
Amendment 39-15539; AD 2008-11-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 500 
Series 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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for RR RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 
556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines. That AD currently 
requires removing certain serial-numbered intermediate pressure 
compressor (IPC) drums, part number (P/N) FK30102. This AD requires 
removing those same IPC drums, and requires a new reduced life limit 
for all other IPC drums, P/N FK30102. This AD results from an RR 
engineering assessment that it is necessary to reduce the cyclic lives 
of the other drums with the same P/N. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
uncontained loss of IPC stage 1 blades, which could result in damage to 
the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 7, 2008.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by July 29, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: 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, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United 
Kingdom; telephone: 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936; e-mail 
http:royce.com">//tech.help@rolls-royce.com for the service information identified 
in this AD, or download the service information from https://www.aeromanager.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176, fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 11, 2007, the FAA issued AD 
2007-19-10, Amendment 39-15201 (72 FR 53108, September 18, 2007). That 
AD requires replacing certain IPC drums, listed in that AD by serial 
number, before exceeding 2,910 cycles-since-new (CSN). That AD was the 
result of a discovery of strain-induced porosity in a Trent 500 IPC 
drum forging. That condition, if not corrected, could result in 
uncontained loss of IPC stage 1 blades, which could result in damage to 
the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2007-19-10 Was Issued

    Since that AD was issued, the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, recently notified us that an unsafe condition may exist 
on RR RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-
61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines. The EASA advises that it is 
necessary to reduce the cyclic lives of the other drums with the same 
P/N. This AD requires:
    <bullet> Removing IPC drums, P/N FK30102, that have a serial number 
(SN) specified in this AD, within 2,910 CSN or the next overhaul after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first; and
    <bullet> Removing all other IPC drums, P/N FK30102, within 5,830 
CSN.
    We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained loss of IPC stage 1 
blades, which could result in damage to the airplane.

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

[[Page 31018]]

agreement. Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the EASA has 
kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have 
examined the findings of the 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 RR RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 
556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines of the same type 
design. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained loss of IPC stage 
1 blades, which could result in damage to the airplane. This AD 
requires:
    <bullet> Removing IPC drums, P/N FK30102, that have an SN specified 
in this AD, within 2,910 CSN or the next overhaul after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and
    <bullet> Removing all other IPC drums, P/N FK30102, within 5,830 
CSN.

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. Therefore, 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-2007-27955; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-15-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://www.regulations.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 
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name, if provided, 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).

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as 
the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 this AD:
    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 removing Amendment 39-15201 72 FR 
53108, September 18, 2007, and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-15539, to read as follows:

2008-11-16 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-15539. Docket No. FAA-2007-
27955; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-15-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 7, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-19-10, Amendment 39-15201.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 
553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 
turbofan engines with an intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) 
drum, part number (P/N) FK30102, installed. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A340-500 and 600 series 
airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from an RR engineering assessment that it is 
necessary to reduce the cyclic lives of the other drums with the 
same P/N. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained loss of IPC 
stage 1 blades, which could result in 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.

[[Page 31019]]

Removing IPC drums, P/N FK30102, With Certain Serial Numbers (SNs)

    (f) For engines with an IPC drum, P/N FK30102, that has an SN 
specified in Table 1 of this AD, remove the IPC within 2,910 cycles-
since-new (CSN) or the next overhaul after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first.

                        Table 1.--IPC Drums by SN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MW0134967            MW0131219                  MW0156891
MW0158192            MW0164840                  MW0168864
MW0168190            MW0171399                  KHI00012
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Removing All Other IPC Drums, P/N FK30102

    (g) For engines with an IPC drum, P/N FK30102, that doesn't have 
an SN specified in Table 1 of this AD, remove the IPC drum within 
5,830 CSN.

Prohibited Installation of IPC Drums, P/N FK30102

    (h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install the 
following:
    (1) IPC drums, P/N FK30102, that have an SN specified in Table 1 
of this AD, and have accumulated or exceeded 2,910 CSN.
    (2) IPC drums, P/N FK30102, that don't have an SN specified in 
Table 1 of this AD, and have accumulated or exceeded 5,830 CSN.

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) None.

Related Information

    (k) EASA airworthiness directive 2008-0042, dated February 27, 
2008, and RR Alert Service Bulletins RB.211-72-AF258, Revision 1, 
dated March 29, 2007; and RB.211-72-AF431, dated January 14, 2008, 
also address the subject of this AD.
    (l) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 21, 2008.
Robert G. Mann,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11946 Filed 5-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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