[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 210 (Thursday, October 30, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64504-64506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25739]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0705; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-13-AD;
Amendment 39-18006; AD 2014-22-02]
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) Trent 1000-A, 1000-C, 1000-D, 1000-E, 1000-G, and
1000-H turbofan engines. This AD requires removing engine electronic
controller (EEC) software earlier than standard MB6.15 and replacing
with a software standard eligible for installation. This AD was
prompted by a finding that an intermediate pressure
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(IP) shaft failure may not be detected by EEC software earlier than
standard MB6.15. We are issuing this AD to detect IP shaft failure and
prevent IP compressor turbine burst, uncontained engine failure, and
damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 14, 2014.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 15, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
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, DE24 8BJ;
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-
0705; 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), regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765;
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-2014-0705; Directorate
Identifier 2014-NE-13-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 2014-0192, dated September 1, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
An investigation carried out by RR has identified the risk of
Intermediate Pressure (IP) shaft failure that may not be detected
and accommodated by the engine control system. An IP shaft failure
that is not detected may result in IP turbine overspeed.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to IP turbine burst
and consequent release of high energy debris, possibly resulting 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-2014-0705.
Relevant Service Information
RR has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. TRENT 1000 73-AH914,
dated July 23, 2014. The ASB describes procedures for removing software
earlier than standard MB6.15, and installing a software standard
eligible for installation.
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. This AD requires removing EEC software earlier
than standard MB6.15, and replacing with a software standard 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 $200 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
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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.
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):
2014-22-02 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18006; Docket No. FAA-2014-
0705; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-13-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 14, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A, 1000-
C, 1000-D, 1000-E, 1000-G, and 1000-H turbofan engines.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by a finding that an intermediate pressure
(IP) shaft failure may not be detected by engine electronic
controller (EEC) software earlier than standard MB6.15. We are
issuing this AD to detect IP shaft failure and prevent IP compressor
turbine burst, 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) Within 30 days or 180 flight cycles after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, remove from the engine any EEC
software standard earlier than software standard MB6.15.
(2) Install EEC software eligible for installation.
(f) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install any EEC
containing a software standard earlier than software standard of
MB6.15, 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. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(h) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0192,
dated September 1, 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-2014-0705.
(3) RR Alert Service Bulletin No. TRENT 1000 73-AH914, dated
July 23, 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) 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.
(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 October 17, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-25739 Filed 10-29-14; 8:45 am]
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