[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 160 (Tuesday, August 19, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48961-48962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19017]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD;
Amendment 39-17934; AD 2014-16-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-12-01 for
all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60
turbofan engines. AD 2013-12-01 required a one-time ultrasonic
inspection (UI) of low-pressure (LP) compressor blades with more than
2,500 flight cycles since new or last inspection. This AD requires
initial and repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades. This
AD was prompted by LP compressor blade partial airfoil release events.
We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil
separations, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective September 23, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
23, 2014.
ADDRESSES: 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. 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-2012-
1327; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information,
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information.
The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
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
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 37703,
June 24, 2013), (``AD 2013-12-01''). AD 2013-12-01 applied to the
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May
23, 2014 (79 FR 29694). The NPRM proposed to require initial and
repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 29694, May 23,
2014).
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 56 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 44 hours per
engine to comply with the initial inspection requirements in this AD.
The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $209,440.
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
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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 37703, June 24, 2013), and adding
the following new AD:
[[Page 48962]]
2014-16-10 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17934; Docket No. FAA-2012-
1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective September 23, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR
37703, June 24, 2013).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-
60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, with low-pressure (LP)
compressor blade, part numbers (P/Ns) FK23411, FK25441, FK25968,
FW11901, FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404,
installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by 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) Ultrasonic Inspection (UI) of LP Compressor Blade
(i) After the effective date of this AD, ultrasonically inspect
each LP compressor blade before the blade exceeds 3,600 cycles since
new (CSN) or before further flight, whichever occurs later. Repeat
the UI of the blade every 2,400 cycles since last inspection (CSLI).
(ii) For any LP compressor blade that exceeds 2,200 CSLI on the
effective date of this AD, inspect the blade before exceeding 3,000
CSLI or before further flight, whichever occurs later. Thereafter,
perform the repetitive inspections required by this AD.
(iii) Use paragraph 3, excluding subparagraphs 3.A.(9), 3.B.(5),
3.C.(4), 3.D.(3), 3.E.(5), 3.F.(10), and 3.G.(7), of RR Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH465, dated July 15,
2013, to perform the inspections required by this AD.
(2) Use of Replacement Blades
LP compressor blades, P/Ns FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, FW11901,
FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, that have
accumulated at least 3,600 CSN or 2,400 CSLI are eligible for
installation if the blade has passed the UI required by this AD.
(f) Credit for Previous Actions
If you performed a UI of an affected LP compressor blade before
the effective date of this AD using RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G702,
dated May 23, 2011; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated
March 8, 2013, or earlier revisions; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-H311,
dated March 8, 2013; or Engine Manual E-Trent-1RR, Task 72-31-11-
200-806, you have met the initial inspection requirements of this
AD. However, you must still comply with the repetitive 2,400 CSLI
requirement of this AD.
(g) 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.
(h) 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 MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0031,
dated February 4, 2014, for more information. You may examine the
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2012-1327-0007.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No.
RB.211-72-AH465, dated July 15, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For RR 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 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.
(5) You may view this service information at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 1, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-19017 Filed 8-18-14; 8:45 am]
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