[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65997-65999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27512]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0994; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) that applies to all RR RB211-535E4-37, -535E4-B-37, -535E4-B-75,
and -535E4-C-37 turbofan engines. The existing AD currently requires
performing initial and repetitive visual and fluorescent penetrant
inspections (FPI) of the low-pressure (LP) turbine stage 1, 2, and 3
discs to detect cracks in the discs. Since we issued that AD, we
determined that the definition of shop visit is too restrictive in the
existing AD. This proposed AD would continue to require those
inspections and would change the definition of a shop visit to be less
restrictive. We are proposing this AD to correct the definition of shop
visit, and to detect cracks in the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs,
which could result in an uncontained release of LP turbine blades and
damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 27,
2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce
plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: 011 44 1332
242424, fax: 011 44 1332 249936; or e-mail: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp, or download the publication from https://www.aeromanager.com. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-7199; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No.
[[Page 65998]]
FAA-2009-0994; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-39-AD'' at the beginning
of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments.
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 we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On May 20, 2011, we issued AD 2011-11-08, Amendment 39-16707 (76 FR
30529, May 26, 2011), for all RR RB211-535E4-37, -535E4-B-37, -535E4-B-
75, and -535E4-C-37 turbofan engines. That AD requires performing an
initial FPI on the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs at the next
engine shop inspection after the effective date of that AD. That AD
also requires repetitive inspections at each engine shop visit after
accumulating 1,500 cycles since last inspection of the LP turbine stage
1, 2, and 3 discs. That AD resulted from several findings of cracking
at the firtrees of LP turbine discs. We issued that AD to detect cracks
in the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs, which could result in an
uncontained release of LP turbine blades and damage to the airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2011-11-08, Amendment 39-16707 (76 FR 30529, May
26, 2011), we found that the definition of ``shop visit'' in the AD is
too restrictive, in that it would require operators to inspect more
often than required to ensure safety.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 588 RB211-535
series turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it would take about 30 work-hours per product to
comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour. No parts are required. Based on these figures, we estimate the
cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,499,400.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined that the definition of shop visit is too
restrictive, and to correct the unsafe condition described previously.
This condition is likely to exist or develop in other products of the
same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the same requirements as AD 2011-11-
08 (76 FR 30529, May 26, 2011), except the definition of shop visit has
been redefined.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive
(AD) 2011-11-08, Amendment 39-16707 (76 FR 30529, May 26, 2011), and
adding the following new AD:
Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2009-0994; Directorate Identifier
2009-NE-39-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December 27,
2011.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2011-11-08, Amendment 39-16707 (76 FR
30529, May 26, 2011).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535E4-37, -535E4-B-37,
-535E4-B-75, and -535E4-C-37 turbofan engines.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by our determination that the definition of
``shop visit'' in the existing AD is too restrictive, in that it
would require operators to inspect more often than required to
ensure safety. We are issuing this AD to correct the definition of
shop visit, and to detect cracks in the low-pressure (LP) turbine
stage 1, 2, and 3 discs, which could result in an uncontained
release of LP turbine blades and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) Initial Inspection Requirements
At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this
AD, perform a visual and a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of
the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs.
(2) Repeat Inspection Requirements
At each engine shop visit after accumulating 1,500 cycles since
the last inspection of the LP turbine stage 1, 2 and 3 discs, repeat
the inspections specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
(3) Remove Cracked Discs
If you find cracks, remove the disc from service.
[[Page 65999]]
(f) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is
induction of an engine into the shop for any purpose where:
(1) All the blades are removed from the high-pressure (HP)
compressor discs and the HP turbine disc, or
(2) All the blades are removed from the intermediate pressure
turbine disc.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(h) Related Information
(1) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-
238-7199; e-mail: [email protected], for more information about
this AD.
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2009-0244, dated November 9, 2009, and Rolls-Royce plc
Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AG272 for related information.
Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United
Kingdom; phone: 011 44 1332 242424, fax: 011 44 1332 249936; or e-
mail: http://www.rollsroyce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp, for a copy
of this service information or download the publication from https://www.aeromanager.com.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 18, 2011.
Peter A White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27512 Filed 10-24-11; 8:45 am]
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