Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4 Series Turbofan Engines

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52393-52395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23661]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0057; Directorate Identifier 85-ANE-25-AD; 
Amendment 39-16037; AD 2009-20-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4 Series 
Turbofan Engines

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for RR RB211-535E4 series turbofan engines. That AD currently 
requires initial and repetitive inspections of the outer combustion 
case for cracks and possible removal if cracks are found. This AD 
requires the same inspections, but requires using RR Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (MSB) RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999. This AD 
results from the FAA approving Revision 3 to the MSB, which adds an 
alternative eddy current inspection (ECI) method. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent an uncontained outer combustion case burst, which could 
result in damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 17, 2009. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of November 17, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; 
telephone: 44 (0) 1332-242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332-249936.
    The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
superseding AD 86-07-01, Amendment 39-5273 (51 FR 12511, April 11, 
1986), with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to RR RB211-535E4 
series turbofan engines. We published the proposed AD in the Federal 
Register on February 12, 2009, (74 FR 7002). Airworthiness directive 
86-07-01 requires initial and repetitive inspections of the combustor 
case welds using RR MSB RB.211-72-7775, dated June 28, 1985. The NPRM 
to supersede AD 86-07-01 proposed to require the same inspections, but 
proposed to require using RR Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) RB.211-
72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999.

[[Page 52394]]

Special Flight Permits Paragraph Removed

    The current AD, AD 86-07-01, contains a paragraph pertaining to 
special flight permits. Even though this final rule does not contain a 
similar paragraph, we have made no changes with regard to the use of 
special flight permits to operate the airplane to a repair facility to 
do the work required by this AD. In July 2002, we published a new Part 
39 that contains a general authority regarding special flight permits 
and airworthiness directives; see Docket No. FAA-2004-8460, Amendment 
39-9474 (69 FR 47998, July 22, 2002). Thus, when we now supersede ADs, 
we will not include a specific paragraph on special flight permits 
unless we want to limit the use of that general authority granted in 
section 39.23.

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 provided in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Request To Change the Engine Model Designation

    Two commenters (RR and The Boeing Company) state that the engine 
model designation listed in the Applicability is incorrect and the 
engine models listed are incorrect. The commenters ask us to change 
RB211-534E4 to RB211-535E4 and to correctly list the engine models.
    We agree. We changed the Applicability to correctly list the engine 
model as RB211-535E4 and changed the models affected to: RB211-535E4-
37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75.

Request To Clarify That Eddy Current Inspection (ECI) Is Alternative to 
Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI)

    One commenter (RR) asks us to clarify that the ECI is an 
alternative to the FPI and doesn't replace the FPI.
    We agree. We changed the AD to state that ECI is an alternative to 
FPI.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 300 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 
work-hour per engine to perform the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. No parts are required. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this AD to U.S. 
operators to be $24,000.

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 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
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration 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 removing Amendment 39-5273 (51 FR 
12511, April 11, 1986) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-16037, to read as follows:

2009-20-14 Rolls-Royce plc (RR) (Formerly Rolls-Royce Limited): 
Amendment 39-16037. Docket No. FAA-2009-0057; Directorate Identifier 
85-ANE-25-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
17, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 86-07-01, Amendment 39-5273.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to RR models RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-
37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 turbofan engines that don't incorporate RR 
Service Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-8045. These engines are installed 
on, but not limited to, Boeing 757 and Tupolev Tu204 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the FAA approving Revision 3 to 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) RB.211-72-7775, which adds an 
alternative eddy current inspection (ECI) method. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent an uncontained outer combustion case burst, 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.

Initial Inspection

    (f) Perform an initial inspection of the outer combustion 
casing. Use the

[[Page 52395]]

Accomplishment Instructions paragraph 3.B. or paragraph 3.C. of RR 
MSB RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999, and the 
following compliance schedules:
    (1) For cases with 1,500 or fewer cycles-since-new (CSN) on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect before accumulating 1,500 CSN.
    (2) For cases with more than 1,500 CSN on the effective date of 
this AD, inspect within 50 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (3) If you detect any cracks of 1.5 inches or more in length, 
replace the case before further flight.

Repetitive Inspections

    (g) Thereafter, inspect cases at the following intervals. Use 
the Accomplishment Instructions paragraph 3.B. or paragraph 3.C. of 
RR MSB RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999.
    (1) Inspect within 500 cycles-since-last inspection (CSLI) if 
you detected no cracks during the last inspection.
    (2) Inspect within 100 CSLI if you detected cracks less than or 
equal to 0.5 inch in length during the last inspection.
    (3) Inspect within 50 CSLI if you detected cracks greater than 
0.5 inch but less than 1.5 inches in length.

Credit for Previous Inspections

    (h) Cases inspected before the effective date of this AD using 
RB.211-72-7775, Revision 2, dated February 27, 1998, or earlier 
issue, meet the requirements of this AD for the initial or 
repetitive inspections specified in paragraphs (f) through (f)(3) 
and (g) through (g)(3) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 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) Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness directive 008-07-85, 
dated June 19, 1985, also addresses the subject of this AD.
    (k) Contact Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; 
telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information 
about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Rolls-Royce plc Mandatory Service Bulletin 
RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999 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 information. You may review copies at the 
FAA, New England Region, 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 September 22, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-23661 Filed 10-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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