[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9380-9382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03533]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0561; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-12-AD;
Amendment 39-18105; AD 2015-04-03]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan
engines. This AD requires inspection of the oil feed tube sealing
sleeve and removal of those oil feed tube sealing sleeves that are
affected by this AD. This AD was prompted by fractures of the high-
pressure/intermediate-pressure (HP/IP) turbine support internal oil
feed tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HP/IP
turbine support internal oil feed tube, which could result in
uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 30, 2015.
ADDRESSES: See the For Further Information Contact section.
[[Page 9381]]
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-
0561; 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
(MCAI), the 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: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7134; fax:
781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2014 (79 FR
56025). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
There have been nine occurrences of high oil consumption, caused by
fracture of the High/Intermediate Pressure (HP/IP) turbine support
internal oil feed tube Part Number (P/N) FW45909.
The oil feed tube threaded end adaptor and sealing sleeve P/N
FW15003 are designed to form a sliding joint which, if restrained,
can compress the oil feed tube during thermal contraction of the
turbine casing at the end of the flight cycle. On each subsequent
flight, the thermal growth and contraction of the turbine casing
relative to the oil tube, during the heating and cooling phases of
the flight cycle, apply a load cycle to the tube, which may lead to
low cycle fatigue fracture.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 56025, September
18, 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 69 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 8.5 hours
per engine to comply with 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 $49,853.
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.
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):
2015-04-03 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18105; Docket No. FAA-2014-
0561; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-12-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective March 30, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-
60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, serial numbers 41693 through 42309
inclusive, 42313, 42318, 42319, 42320, 42328, and 42330 with high-
pressure/intermediate-pressure (HP/IP) turbine support internal oil
feed tube sealing sleeve, part number (P/N) FW15003, installed, that
is marked with the prefix ``B/N'' followed by a six digit batch
number and does not contain the marking 102013, 112013 or 102013L.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by fractures of the HP/IP turbine support
internal oil feed tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the HP/IP turbine support internal oil feed tube, which could result
in 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 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
on-wing or in-shop inspection for, and remove from service, any
affected HP/IP turbine support internal oil feed tube sealing
sleeve.
(2) Remove from service any HP/IP turbine support internal oil
feed tube sealing sleeve on which markings cannot be sufficiently
identified to determine whether said sealing sleeve is part of the
affected population.
(3) From the effective date of this AD, you may install on
engines HP/IP turbine support internal oil feed tube sealing
sleeves, P/N FW15003, that are marked with the prefix ``B/N''
followed by a six digit batch number, provided that the part is
marked with 102013, 112013, or 102013L.
[[Page 9382]]
(f) 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].
(g) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Wego Wang,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7134; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0168,
dated July 16, 2014, for more information. You may examine the MCAI
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0561.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 11, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03533 Filed 2-20-15; 8:45 am]
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