[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36387-36389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14807]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0281; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-05-AD;
Amendment 39-17878; AD 2014-13-03]
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 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61,
556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines. We are
issuing this AD to address, through an update to the electronic engine
control (EEC) software, multiple risks of uncontained engine failure
and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 14, 2014.
[[Page 36388]]
We must receive comments on this AD by August 11, 2014.
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, England, DE248BJ;
phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://www.aeromanager.com. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0281; 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is
in ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7758;
fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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-2014-0281; Directorate
Identifier 2014-NE-05-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.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2014-0086, dated April 11, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
Investigation carried out by RR has identified the risk of fan
flutter during ground maintenance running, which indicated the need
to introduce a fan flutter Keep Out Zone (KOZ). In addition,
following Intermediate Pressure (IP) turbine overspeed events
experienced on other Trent series engines, the need to introduce a
protection against IP shaft failures in the event of an internal
engine fire was identified.
Fan flutter may result in multiple fan blade failures and
consequent release of uncontained high energy debris. An unprotected
IP shaft failure may result in IP turbine overspeed, IP turbine
burst and, ultimately, release of uncontained high energy debris.
These conditions, if not corrected, could result in damage to, and
reduced control of, the aeroplane.
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 Docket No. FAA-2014-0281.
Relevant Service Information
RR has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-73-AH531,
Revision 1, dated March 7, 2014. The ASB describes procedures for
modifying affected RB211 Trent 500 turbofan engines by installing new
EEC software Version L6.1.2.
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 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 AD requires removal of EEC software, Version
L5.6.1 or earlier, and installation of a software version eligible for
installation.
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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects no engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 hour per
engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour.
Required parts cost is about $0 per engine. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $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, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
[[Page 36389]]
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.
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):
2014-13-03 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17878; Docket No. FAA-2014-
0281; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-05-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective July 14, 2014.
(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 the risk of fan flutter occurring during
ground maintenance running, and the risk of intermediate-pressure
(IP) shaft failure which may result in IP turbine overspeed and disk
burst. We are issuing this AD to address, through an update to the
electronic engine control (EEC) software, multiple risks of
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) After the effective date of this AD, within 3 months or 200
flight cycles, whichever occurs first, modify the engine by removing
EEC software, Version L5.6.1 or earlier.
(2) Install EEC software eligible for installation.
(f) Installation Prohibition
After modification of an engine as required by paragraph (e) of
this AD, do not install any EEC with a software Version L5.6.1 or
earlier into any engine.
(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 Mark Riley,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: (781) 238-7758; fax: (781) 238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0086,
dated April 11, 2014, 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-2014-0281.
(3) RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AH531, Revision 1,
dated March 7, 2014, which is not incorporated by reference in this
AD, can be obtained from RR using the contact information in
paragraph (h)(4) of this AD.
(4) Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31,
Derby, England, DE248BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-
1332-249936; email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://www.aeromanager.com.
(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 June 13, 2014.
Ann C. Mollica,
Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14807 Filed 6-26-14; 8:45 am]
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