[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5126-5128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01358]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1334; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-49-AD;
Amendment 39-17324; AD 2013-02-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 970-84, 970B-84, 972-84, 972B-84, 977-
84, 977B-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement
of the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE). This AD was prompted by a report
of an in-flight increase of N2 intermediate pressure rotor vibrations
resulting in an engine surge and pilot shut down of the engine. We are
issuing this AD to prevent rotor bearing oil starvation, uncontained
engine failure, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective January 24, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by March 11, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC
20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce
plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE248BJ, United
Kingdom; phone: 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936, or email:
http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp. You may view this
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 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 (phone: 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754;
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) EASA AD 2012-
0260, dated
[[Page 5127]]
December 11, 2012, to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
During a revenue service flight, a Trent 900 engine experienced
increased N2 intermediate pressure (IP) vibrations, followed by an
engine surge. The pilot shut down the engine, the aeroplane carried out
an air turn-back, and a 3-engine landing was successfully performed.
Subsequent investigation results revealed the presence of oil by-pass
seal material from the Fuel-to-Oil Heat Exchanger (FOHE) in the
restrictor hole of the Tail Bearing Housing (TBH) cover plate. The
blocked restrictor hole caused oil starvation to the low pressure (LP)
and IP location bearings.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to LP
location bearing damage, possibly resulting in uncontained engine
failure and consequent damage to the aeroplane.
The oil baffle seals in FOHE, part number 47111-1241, become damaged
with use and loose seal material can block the restrictor hole. You may
obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
RR has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-79-
AH031, dated October 25, 2012. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the United Kingdom and is
approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral
agreement with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than
30 days. Accordingly, this AD is effective upon publication.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1334; Directorate
Identifier 2012-NE-49-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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
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, if provided, 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).
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 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 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA 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 adding the following new AD:
2013-02-03 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17324; Docket No. FAA-2012-
1334; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-49-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 24,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 970-84, 970B-84,
972-84, 972B-84, 977-84, 977B-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines with a
fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE), part number 47111-1241, installed.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight increase of N2
intermediate pressure rotor vibrations resulting in an engine surge
and pilot shut down of the engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent
rotor bearing oil starvation, uncontained engine failure, and damage
to the airplane.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) For engines installed on the effective date of this AD,
replace the FOHE within 500 engine hours (EHs) from the effective
date of this AD, or before exceeding 5,000 EHs time since new (TSN)
or time since overhaul (TSO), whichever occurs later.
[[Page 5128]]
(2) For engines in the shop on the effective date of this AD, do
not approve the engine for return to service if the FOHE has 5,000
or more EHs TSN or TSO.
(3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a FOHE
on any engine, or any engine on any airplane, unless the FOHE has
fewer than 5,000 EHs TSN or TSO.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(g) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238 7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2012-0260, dated December 11, 2012, and Rolls-Royce plc
Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-79-AH031, dated
October 25, 2012, for related information.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby,
DE248BJ, United Kingdom; phone: 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332
249936; or email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781-238-7125.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 14, 2013.
Thomas Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-01358 Filed 1-23-13; 8:45 am]
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