[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70489-70491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28178]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0880; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-28-AD;
Amendment 39-17667; AD 2013-23-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
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. This AD
requires replacement or repair of the low-pressure (LP) compressor fan
blade set before reaching a specified number of flight cycles since new
(FCSN) or flight cycles since last leading edge profile blade repair
(FCSLR). This AD was prompted by reports of erosion of the leading edge
profile of the LP compressor blade set contributing to fan blade
flutter. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LP compressor
blades, which could lead to an uncontained engine failure and damage to
the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 11, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by January 10, 2014.
[[Page 70490]]
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, DE24 8BJ, UK; phone:
44-0-1332-242424; fax: 44-0-1332-249936; 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 mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI), 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: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238 7779;
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 EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0214, dated September 16, 2013 (referred
to herein after as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for
the specified products. The MCAI states:
Erosion of the leading edge profile of Trent 500 engines' low
pressure (LP) compressor blades is proven to contribute to fan
flutter, a risk that is mitigated by regular restoration of the
leading edge of these blades. Recently, Rolls-Royce has conducted a
review regarding the in-service restoration of the leading edge
profile of LP compressor blades. The results of this review
concluded that not all LP compressor blades have been restored as
intended.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to fan flutter, LP
compressor blade cracking and uncontained LP compressor blade
failures, possibly resulting in damage to, and reduced control of,
the aeroplane.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires initial and
repetitive leading edge restoration of the LP compressor blades.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0880.
Relevant Service Information
RR has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-
72-AH149, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2013 and RB.211-72-H464, dated
August 28, 2013. 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 aviation authority of 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.
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-2013-0880; Directorate
Identifier 2013-NE-28-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).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD would affect 0 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6
hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85
per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this AD
to U.S. operators is $0.
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,
[[Page 70491]]
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2013-23-12 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17667; Docket No. FAA-2013-
0880; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-28-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective December 11, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all 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.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of erosion of the leading edge
profile of the low-pressure (LP) compressor blade set contributing
to fan blade flutter. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the LP compressor blades, which could lead to an uncontained engine
failure and damage to the airplane.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) If on the effective date of this AD, the LP compressor fan
blades:
(i) Have less that 3,750 flight cycles since new (FCSN) or
flight cycles since last leading edge profile blade repair (FCSLR),
replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set before
accumulating 4,000 FCSN or FCSLR;
(ii) Have 3,750 or more FCSN or FCSLR, but less than 4,400 FCSN
or FCSLR, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within
250 flight cycles (FC), but not later than 4,500 FCSN or FCSLR;
(iii) Have 4,400 FCSN or FCSLR or more, replace or repair the LP
compressor fan blade set within 100 FC; or
(iv) Have FCSN or FCSLR that are unknown, replace or repair the
LP compressor fan blade set within 100 FC.
(2) Thereafter, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade
set within every 4,000 FCSN or FCSLR.
(f) Definition
LP compressor fan blades eligible for installation are:
(1) LP compressor fan blades with less than 4,000 FCSN; or
(2) LP compressor fan blades with less than 4,000 FCSLR, if LP
compressor fan blades were repaired using RR Alert Non-Modification
Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AH149, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2013
or earlier version or, for initial restoration only, RB.211-72-H464,
dated August 28, 2013.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(h) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency, AD 2013-0214,
dated September 16, 2013, for more information. You may examine the
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0880.
(3) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No.
RB.211-72-AH149, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2013 and RB.211-72-H464,
dated August 28, 2013, which are not incorporated by reference in
this AD, can be obtained from RR, using the contact information in
paragraph (h)(4) of this AD.
(4) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24
8BJ, UK; phone: 44-0-1332-242424; fax: 44-0-1332-249936; email:
http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp.
(5) 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.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 8, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28178 Filed 11-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P