[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6749-6750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02077]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2013 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 6749]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by low-pressure (LP)
compressor blade partial airfoil release events. This proposed AD would
require a one-time ultrasonic C-scan inspection of LP compressor blades
that had accumulated more than 2,500 flight cycles since new. We are
proposing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations,
engine damage, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 1, 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: Docket Management Facility, 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 proposed AD, contact
Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1332
242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936. 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.
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 proposed 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:
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. FAA-2012-1327;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-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 based on 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 proposed 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).
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the aviation
authority for the Member States of the European Community, has issued
EASA AD 2012-0247, dated November 20, 2012, a mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (referred to hereinafter as ``MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
Low Pressure (LP) compressor partial aerofoil blade release
events have occurred in service on RR Trent 700 engines. While
primary containment of the released sections has been achieved in
each case, some of the releases did exhibit secondary effects that
are considered to present a potential hazard. Previously,
expeditious actions by RR have mitigated the risks presented by
these effects, by removal from service of batches of LP compressor
blades. However, some causal factors still exist that are not fully
understood.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to LP
compressor blade release with possible consequent loss of the engine
nose cowl, under cowl fires and forward projection of secondary
debris, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and/or injury
to persons on the ground.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
RR has issued Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-
G702, dated May 23, 2011. The actions described in this service
information were issued to understand the condition of a sample of
operator blades in advance of the introduction of regularly scheduled
ultrasonic C-scan shop visit inspections. RR subsequently issued NMSB
RB.211-72-G872, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2012. The actions described
in this service information are intended to prevent LP compressor blade
airfoil release events by conducting in-service ultrasonic C-scan
inspections.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by EASA, and is approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement
with the European Community, EASA has notified us of
[[Page 6750]]
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing 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. This proposed AD would require a one-time ultrasonic C-scan
inspection of LP compressor blades that had accumulated more than 2,500
flight cycles since new.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 56 engines installed
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take
about 38 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost is $0 per engine. Based
on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $180,880.
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 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 this 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); 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 proposed 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.
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
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:
Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier
2012-NE-47-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 1, 2013.
(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211 Trent
768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by low-pressure (LP) compressor blade
partial airfoil release events. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP
compressor blade airfoil separations, engine damage, and damage to
the airplane.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) For LP compressor blades that, on the effective date of this
AD, have accumulated or exceeded 2,500 flight cycles (FCs) since
new, or since inspection in accordance with RR Non-Modification
Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, or since
in-shop ultrasonic inspection in accordance with the Engine Manual,
replace each LP compressor blade (either on-wing or in-shop) with a
blade eligible for installation, within 500 FCs after the effective
date of this AD.
(2) From the effective date of this AD, do not install on an
engine any LP compressor blades that have been removed as required
by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, unless the LP compressor blades have
passed the ultrasonic C-scan inspection in accordance with
paragraphs 3.C. through 3.F. of the Accomplishment Instructions of
RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2012 (or original
issue dated April 3, 2012), as applicable.
(f) 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.
(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) European Aviation Safety Agency, AD 2012-0247, dated
November 20, 2012, RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, and
RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872, dated July 2, 2012 pertain to the subject of
this AD.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1332
242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936.
(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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 25, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02077 Filed 1-30-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P