[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 196 (Friday, October 9, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61131-61133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25607]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1331; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbojet Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-11-
13 that applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet
engines. Since we issued AD 2013-11-13, RR determined that additional
parts for the RR Viper Mk. 601-22 as well as additional engine models
are affected. This proposed AD would add two new engine models and
additional engine parts to the applicability. We are proposing this AD
to prevent failure of life-limited parts, which could lead to an
uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to the
airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 8,
2015.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact DA
Services Operations Room at Rolls-Royce plc, Defense Sector Bristol,
WH-70, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, United Kingdom; phone: +44
(0) 117 97 90700; fax: +44 (0) 117 97 95498; email: royce.com">defence-operations-room@rolls-royce.com. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2012-1331.
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-
1331; 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 proposed 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
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770;
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1331;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite
[[Page 61132]]
comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 we
receive about this NPRM.
Discussion
On May 28, 2013, we issued AD 2013-11-13, Amendment 39-17473 (78 FR
34550, June 10, 2013) (``AD 2013-11-13''), for all RR Viper Mk. 601-22
turbojet engines. AD 2013-11-13 requires reducing the life of certain
critical parts. AD 2013-11-13 resulted from a review by RR of the lives
of these parts. We issued AD 2013-11-13 to prevent failure of life-
limited parts, which could lead to an uncontained part release, damage
to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2013-11-13 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2013-11-13, RR determined that additional parts
on the Viper Mk. 601-22 engine model and the Viper Mk. 521 and Mk. 522
engine models experienced the same unsafe condition. Also since we
issued AD 2013-11-13, the European Aviation Safety Agency has issued AD
2015-0127R1, dated August 14, 2015, which requires reducing the cyclic
life limits of the affected parts.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Mk. 521 Number 72-A408,
Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 521 Number 72-A408,
Circulation B, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A413,
Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A412,
Circulation B, dated January 2015; and ASB Mk. 601-22 Number 72-A207,
dated January 2015. The service information describes procedures for
determining applicable part numbers and revised cyclic life limits.
This service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This NPRM would require accomplishing the actions specified in the
service information described previously. This NPRM would add two
engine models and additional affected parts to the applicability of AD
2013-11-13.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect about 46 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate a prorated
parts cost of $66,000 per engine. We also estimate that it would take
about 4 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the
cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $3,051,640.
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 have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
(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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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)
2013-11-13, Amendment 39-17473 (78 FR 34550, June 10, 2013) (``AD 2013-
11-13''), and adding the following new AD:
Rolls-Royce plc (Type Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce
(1971) Limited, Bristol Engine Division): Docket No. FAA-2012-1331;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by December 8, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2013-11-13.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Viper Mk. 521, Viper
Mk. 522, and Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engines.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a review by RR of the lives of certain
critical parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of life-
limited parts, which could lead to an uncontained part release,
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, or
before any affected part exceeds its new revised life limit,
whichever occurs later, remove any engine from service. Use Table 1
of RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Mk. 521 Number 72-A408,
Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 521 Number
[[Page 61133]]
72-A408, Circulation B, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-
A413, Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A412,
Circulation B, dated January 2015; and ASB Mk. 601-22 Number 72-
A207, dated January 2015, to determine the new life limits.
(2) For the RR Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engine, remove
compressor shaft, part number V900766, before the compressor shaft
accumulates 20,720 flight cycles since new.
(f) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install any affected
part identified in paragraph (e) of this AD into any engine, nor
return any engine to service with any affected part identified in
paragraph (e) of this AD installed, if any affected part exceeds the
life limit specified in the appropriate ASB identified in paragraph
(e)(1) and/or the life limit identified in paragraph (e)(2) 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. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(h) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-
0127R1, dated August 14, 2015, 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 Docket No. FAA-
2012-1331.
(3) RR ASB Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation A, dated January
2015; ASB Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation B, dated January 2015;
ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A413, Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB
Mk. 522 Number 72-A412, Circulation B, dated January 2015; and ASB
Mk. 601-22 Number 72-A207, dated January 2015, can be obtained from
RR, using the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this
proposed AD.
(4) For service information identified in this AD, contact DA
Services Operations Room at Rolls-Royce plc, Defense Sector Bristol,
WH-70, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, United Kingdom; phone:
+44 (0) 117 97 90700; fax: +44 (0) 117 97 95498; email: royce.com">defence-operations-room@rolls-royce.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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 2, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-25607 Filed 10-8-15; 8:45 am]
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