[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 4, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5906-5909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01557]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28059; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-13-AD;
Amendment 39-18087; AD 2015-02-20]
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) 2013-15-10
that applies to certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 turbofan engines. AD
2013-15-10 required inspecting the intermediate-pressure compressor
(IPC) rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks. This AD requires
inspecting the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks, eliminates
a terminating action, expands one inspection, and eliminates certain
other inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect cracking on the IPC
rotor shaft rear balance land, which could lead to uncontained engine
failure and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective March 11, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference (IBR) of certain publications listed in this AD as of March
11, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the IBR of certain
other publications listed in this AD as of October 8, 2013 (78 FR
54149, September 3, 2013) and as of June 29, 2012 (77 FR 31176, May 25,
2012).
ADDRESSES: 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://
[[Page 5907]]
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-2007-
28059; 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: 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:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2013-15-10, Amendment 39-17526 (78 FR 54149,
September 3, 2013), (``AD 2013-15-10''). AD 2013-15-10 applied to the
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
September 11, 2014 (79 FR 54220). The NPRM proposed to retain the
requirements of AD 2013-15-10 for inspecting the IPC rotor shaft rear
balance land for cracks. The NPRM also proposed to require that the
repetitive in-shop eddy current inspections (ECIs) in AD 2013-15-10 be
performed even after modifying certain engines. The NPRM also proposed
to eliminate repetitive on-wing inspections for certain other engines,
and eliminate certain in-shop visual inspections for all engines.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 54220, September
11, 2014).
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes, e.g., paragraph references and referencing the
latest version of certain service information incorporated by
reference.
Related Service Information
We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No.
RB.211-72-AH059, dated December 11, 2012; RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-
AH058, Revision 1, dated July 7, 2014; RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-
AG270, Revision 4, dated March 21, 2011; RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-
AG085, Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011; RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-
AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21, 2011; and RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-
G448, Revision 4, dated August 21, 2014. The service information
describes procedures for performing borescope inspections and ECIs of
the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. You can find this information in
the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketBrowser;rpp=25;po=0;D=FAA-2007-28059.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 136 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 14
hours per engine to perform the inspections required by this AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Replacement parts are estimated to
cost about $2,271 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the
cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $470,696.
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)
2013-15-10, Amendment 39-17526 (78 FR 54149, September 3, 2013), and
adding the following new AD:
2015-02-20 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18087; Docket No. FAA-2007-
28059; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-13-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 11, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2013-15-10, Amendment 39-17526 (78 FR
54149, September 3, 2013).
(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, 560A2-61,
768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17,
892B-17, 895-17, 970-84, 970B-84, 972-84, 972B-
[[Page 5908]]
84, 977-84, 977B-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in Trent 500, Trent
700, and Trent 800 intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor
shaft rear balance lands and analysis that determined similar cracks
may exist in Trent 900 engines. We are issuing this AD to detect
cracking on the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land, which could lead
to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) RB211-Trent 700 Engines--Rear Balance Land Inspections
(i) Within 625 cycles-in-service (CIS) after June 29, 2012, or
before the next flight after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, borescope inspect the IPC rotor shaft rear
balance land. Use RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB)
No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 4, dated March 21, 2011, paragraphs
3.A.(2)(a) through 3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(3)(a) through 3.A.(3)(c) for
in-shop procedures, or paragraphs 3.B.(2)(a) through 3.B.(2)(c) and
3.B.(4)(a) through 3.B.(4)(c), for on-wing procedures, to do the
inspection.
(ii) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 625 cycles-
since-last inspection (CSLI). You may count CSLI from the last
borescope inspection or the last eddy current inspection (ECI),
whichever occurred later.
(iii) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD,
perform an ECI of the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR
Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011,
paragraphs 3.A. through 3.B., to do the inspection.
(iv) To meet the requirement of paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this AD,
instead of a borescope inspection, you may perform an ECI using
paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(2) RB211-Trent 800 Engines--Rear Balance Land Inspections
(i) Within 475 CIS after June 29, 2012, or before the next
flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
borescope inspect the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR
Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21, 2011,
paragraphs 3.A.(2)(a) through 3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(3)(a) through
3.A.(3)(c), for in-shop procedures, or paragraphs 3.B.(2)(a) through
3.B.(2)(c) and 3.B.(4)(a) through 3.B.(4)(c), for on-wing
procedures, to do the inspection.
(ii) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 475 CSLI.
You may count CSLI from the last borescope inspection or the last
ECI, whichever occurred later.
(iii) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD,
perform an ECI of the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR
Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011,
paragraphs 3.A. through 3.B., to do the inspection.
(iv) To meet the requirement of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this AD,
instead of a borescope inspection, you may perform an ECI using
paragraph (e)(2)(iii) of this AD.
(3) RB211-Trent 500 Engines--Rear Balance Land Inspections
(i) Within 340 CIS after October 8, 2013, or before the next
flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
borescope inspect the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR
Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH058, Revision 1, dated July 7, 2014,
paragraphs 3.A.(2)(a) through 3.A.(2)(c), 3.A.(3)(a) through
3.A.(3)(d), and 3.A.(5)(a) through 3.A.(5)(c), for on-wing
procedures, to do the inspection.
(ii) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 340 CSLI.
You may count CSLI from the last borescope inspection or the last
ECI, whichever occurred later.
(iii) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD,
perform an ECI of the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR NMSB
No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 4, dated August 21, 2014, paragraphs
3.D.(4) through 3.D.(5), 3.D.(6)(f) through 3.D.(7)(w), 3.D.(8)(f)
through 3.D.(8)(w), and 3.D.(11) to do the inspection.
(iv) To meet the requirement of paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this AD,
instead of a borescope inspection, you may perform an ECI using
paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this AD.
(4) RB211-Trent 900 Engines--Rear Balance Land Inspections
(i) Within 280 flight cycles after October 8, 2013, or before
the next flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, borescope inspect the IPC rotor shaft rear balance
land. Use RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH059, dated December 11,
2012, paragraphs 3.A.(2)(a) through 3.A.(2)(c), 3.A.(3)(a) through
3.A.(3)(d), and 3.A.(5)(a) through 3.A.(5)(c) for on-wing
procedures, to do the inspection.
(ii) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 280 CSLI.
You may count CSLI from the last borescope inspection or the last
ECI, whichever occurred last.
(iii) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD,
perform an ECI of the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR NMSB
No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 4, dated August 21, 2014, paragraphs
3.D.(4) through 3.D.(5), 3.D.(6)(f) through 3.D.(7)(w), 3.D.(8)(f)
through 3.D.(8)(w), and 3.D.(11) to do the inspection.
(iv) To meet the requirement of paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this AD,
instead of a borescope inspection, you may perform an ECI using
paragraph (e)(4)(iii) of this AD.
(5) RB211-Trent 500, RB211-Trent 700, RB211-Trent 800, and RB211-Trent
900 Engines IPC Balance Weight Removal
(i) RB211-Trent 500 engines. At the next shop visit after the
effective date of this AD, remove the IPC balance weights, part
numbers (P/Ns) AS44695-150, AS44695-175, AS44695-200, AS44695-225,
AS44695-250, AS44695-275, and AS44695-300.
(ii) RB211-Trent 700 engines. At the next shop visit after the
effective date of this AD, remove the IPC balance weights, P/Ns
AS44695-150, AS44695-175, AS44695-200, AS44695-225, AS44695-250,
AS44695-275, and AS44695-300.
(iii) RB211-Trent 800 engines. At the next shop visit after the
effective date of this AD, remove the IPC balance weights, P/Ns
AS44695-150, AS44695-175, AS44695-200, AS44695-225, AS44695-250,
AS44695-275, and AS44695-300.
(iv) RB211-Trent 900 engines. At the next shop visit after the
effective date of this AD, remove the IPC balance weights, P/Ns
AS44695-150, AS44695-175, AS44695-200, AS44695-225, AS44695-250,
AS44695-275, and AS44695-300.
(v) Once you have removed the IPC balance weights, P/Ns AS44695-
150, AS44695-175, AS44695-200, AS44695-225, AS44695-250, AS44695-
275, and AS44695-300, do not re-install them on any IPC shaft rear
balance land.
(6) RB211-Trent 500, RB211-Trent 700, RB211-Trent 800, and RB211-Trent
900 Engines--Terminating Action to Repetitive Borescope Inspections
(i) Removal of the IPC balance weights as described in paragraph
(e)(5) of this AD terminates the repetitive borescope inspection
requirements in paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(4) of this AD.
However, at each shop visit you must still do the ECI required by
paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(4) of this AD.
(ii) Reserved.
(f) Credit for Previous Actions
(1) RB211-Trent 700 Engines
(i) If you borescope inspected an RB211-Trent 700 engine, before
the effective date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-
AG270, Revision 1, dated December 14, 2009; or Revision 2, dated
December 21, 2010; or Revision 3, dated February 25, 2011, you have
met the requirements of paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this AD.
(ii) If you eddy current inspected an RB211-Trent 700 engine,
before the effective date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB No.
RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 1, dated September 27, 2010, you met the
ECI requirement of paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this AD. However, you
are still required to perform the repetitive inspections required by
paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) and (e)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(2) RB211-Trent 800 Engines
(i) If you borescope inspected an RB211-Trent 800 engine, before
the effective date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-
AG264, Revision 3, dated December 21, 2010; or Revision 4, dated
February 25, 2011, you met the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i)
of this AD.
(ii) If you eddy current inspected an RB211-Trent 800 engine,
before the effective date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB No.
RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 1, dated September 27, 2010, you met the
ECI requirement of paragraph (e)(2)(iii) of this AD. However, you
are still required to perform the repetitive inspections required by
paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) and (e)(2)(iii) of this AD.
(3) RB211-Trent 500 Engines
(i) If you borescope inspected an RB211-Trent 500 engine, before
the effective date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH058,
dated December 13, 2012; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2,
dated December 23, 2010; or Revision 3,
[[Page 5909]]
dated July 7, 2011, you met the requirement of paragraph (e)(3)(i)
of this AD.
(ii) If you eddy current inspected an RB211-Trent 500 engine,
before the effective date of this AD, using RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-
G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 2010; or Revision 3, dated July
7, 2011, you met the ECI requirement of paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of
this AD. However, you are still required to perform the repetitive
inspections required by paragraphs (e)(3)(ii) and (e)(3)(iii) of
this AD.
(4) RB211-Trent 900 engines
(i) If you borescope inspected an RB211-Trent 900 engine, before
the effective date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH059,
dated December 11, 2012; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2,
dated December 23, 2010; or Revision 3, dated July 7, 2011, you met
the requirements of paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this AD.
(ii) If you eddy current inspected an RB211-Trent 900 engine,
before the effective date of this AD, using RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-
G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 2010; or Revision 3, dated July
7, 2011, you met the ECI requirement of paragraph (e)(4)(iii) of
this AD. However, you are still required to perform the repetitive
inspections required by paragraphs (e)(4)(ii) and (e)(4)(iii) of
this AD.
(g) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is defined as the
introduction of an engine into the shop and disassembly sufficient
to expose the IPC module rear face.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(i) 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 2014-0152,
dated June 20, 2014, and corrected on June 25, 2014, for more
information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2007-
28059-0028.
(j) 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.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
March 11, 2015.
(i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Non-Modification Service Bulletin
(NMSB) No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 4, dated August 21, 2014.
(ii) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH058, Revision 1, dated July
7, 2014.
(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on
October 8, 2013 (78 FR 54149, September 3, 2013).
(i) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH059, dated December 11, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(5) The following service information was approved for IBR on
June 29, 2012, (77 FR 31176, May 25, 2012).
(i) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 4, dated March
21, 2011.
(ii) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 2, dated July
7, 2011.
(iii) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March
21, 2011.
(6) For RR 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.
(7) 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.
(8) 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 January 16, 2015.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-01557 Filed 2-3-15; 8:45 am]
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