DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0363; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-08-AD] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

[4910-13-P] 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of comment 

period. 

SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Rolls-Royce pic (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. The 

NPRM proposed to require inspection of the fan case low-pressure (LP) fuel tubes and 

clips and the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) mounts and hardware. The NPRM was 

prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage to the fan case LP fuel tube. This supplemental 

action revises the NPRM by expanding inspections and corrective actions, correcting a 

part number (PIN) and the costs of compliance, reducing the applicability, providing 

another method to comply with certain requirements, and giving credit for certain 

previous actions. We are proposing this SNPRM to prevent failure of the fan case LP fuel 

tube, which could lead to an in-flight engine shutdown, loss of thrust control, and damage 

to the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any ofthe following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the 

instructions for sending your comments electronically. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, 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 SNPRM, contact Rolls-Royce pic, 

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31 , Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-

1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce.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 781-23 8-7125. 

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-2014-0363; 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 (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 

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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: 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: 

we go. wang@ faa. gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this 

SNPRM. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. 

Include "Docket No. FAA-2014-0363; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-08-AD" at the 

beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this SNPRM. We will consider all 

comments received by the closing date and may amend this SNPRM based on 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 SNPRM. 

Discussion 

We issued an 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 July 3, 

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2014 (79 FR 37965). The NPRM proposed to require inspection ofthe fan case LP fuel 

tubes and clips and the FOHE mounts and hardware. 

Related Service Information under 1 CFR Part 51 

We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.211-

73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014; RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, initial 

issue, dated September 9, 2014; and RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-G848, Revision 3, dated 

June 12, 2014. This service information describes procedures for inspecting, and 

replacing if required, the fan case LP fuel tube and clips, and the FOHE mounts and 

hardware. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties 

have access to it through their normal course of business or see ADDRESSES for other 

ways to access this service information. 

Actions Since Previous NPRM was Issued 

Since we issued the NPRM (79 FR 37965, July 3, 2014), RR received reports of 

additional failures of clips associated with the LP fuel tube occurring prior to the next 

inspection as required by the NPRM. RR published NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, 

initial issue, dated September 9, 2014, to provide instructions for additional specific 

visual inspections, at shorter intervals, of the upper clip attaching feature and the bracket 

holding this clip to the oil tank and, based on inspection results, instructions for 

corrective actions. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also issued EASA AD 

2014-0243 , dated November 6, 2014, and EASA AD 2014-0243R1 , dated December 10, 

2014, which mandate additional inspections and corrective actions, grant credit for 

certain prior inspections, allow a certain in-shop inspection to serve in lieu of a required 

visual inspection, and state that replacing parts as a result of the inspections required by 

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those EASA ADs, and as described in paragraphs (e)(l), (e)(2), and (e)(3) ofthis AD, are 

not terminating action. We reviewed EASA's changes and concluded that they are 

necessary to correct the unsafe condition this SNPRM addresses. We incorporate EASA's 

changes into paragraphs (e)(l) and (e)(4) ofthis SNPRM. 

In addition to these changes, we made other changes. 

Since we issued the NPRM (79 FR 37965, July 3, 2014), we found that we 

referenced a non-existent fan case LP fuel tube PIN in the NPRM. Specifically, fan case 

LP fuel tube, PIN FW535776, does not exist. We changed paragraph (e)(3) of this 

SNPRM to eliminate the non-existent part number, replacing it with the correct one for 

the fan case LP fuel tube, PIN FW53576. 

We also found that we did not include in our cost estimate an estimate of the 

number of engines that we expect will fail the proposed inspections. We revised our cost 

estimate in this SNPRM by adding an estimate of the number of engines that we expect 

will fail inspection, and the cost of replacement parts. 

We also found that we did not provide adequate information to identify the 

applicable engines affected by this AD. We changed the Applicability paragraph to 

specify that certain engine models outfitted with fan case LP fuel tube, PIN FW53576, 

when installed by incorporating either RR production modification 73-F343, or RR 

Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-F343, Revision 4, dated May 26,2011, are affected 

by this SNPRM. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this proposed AD. 

We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 37965, July 3, 2014). 

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FAA's Determination 

We are proposing this SNPRM 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. Certain changes described above expand the 

scope of the NPRM (79 FR 37965, July 3, 2014). As a result, we have determined that it 

is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the 

public to comment on this SNPRM. 

Proposed Requirements of this SNPRM 

This SNPRM would require accomplishing the actions specified in the NPRM, 

except as discussed in the Actions Since Previous NPRM was Issued paragraph. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD affects about 50 engines installed on airplanes 

of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6 hours per engine to comply 

with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We also estimate that 25 

of the engines will fail the inspection proposed by this AD. Required parts cost about 

$4,031 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 

U.S. operators to be $126,275 . 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 ofthe 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 ofthe Agency's 

authority. 

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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. 

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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 

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 , 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended) 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive 

(AD): 

Rolls-Royce pic: Docket No. FAA-2014-0363; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-08-AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce pic (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 

772B-60 turbofan engines, if fitted with fuel tube, part number (PIN) FW53576, which 

was incorporated through RR production modification 73-F343 or which were modified 

in service in accordance with RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-F343 , Revision 4, 

dated May 26, 2011 , or earlier versions. 

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(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage to the fan case lowpressure (LP) fuel tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fan case LP fuel 

tube, which could lead to an in-flight engine shutdown, loss of thrust control, and damage 

to the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. 

(1 ) Within 800 flight hours (FH) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter 

at intervals not to exceed 800 FH, inspect the clip at the uppermost fan case LP fuel tube 

clip position, CP4881 , and support bracket, PIN FW26692. Use Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 3.A, ofRR Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 

RB.211-73-AH837, initial issue, dated September 9, 2014, or paragraph 3.A. or 3.B. of 

RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014, or earlier versions, 

to do your inspection. 

(i) If the clip at the uppermost clip position, CP4881 , fails inspection, replace the 

clip with a part eligible for installation and, before further flight, inspect the fan case LP 

fuel tube, PIN FW53576, for fretting, and clips for cracks or failure, according to 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A. ofRR NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, 

initial issue, dated September 9, 20 14, or paragraph 3.A. or 3.B. ofRR NMSB No. 

RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 20 14, or earlier versions. 

(ii) If the support bracket, PIN FW26692, fails inspection, replace the bracket 

before further flight with a part eligible for installation and inspect the fan case LP fuel 

tube, PIN FW53576, and clips for cracks or failure. 

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(2) Within 4,000 FH since new or 800 FH, whichever occurs later, after the 

effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 FH, inspect the 

fan case LP fuel tube, PIN FW53576, and clips, and the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) 

mounts and hardware, for damage, wear, or fretting. Use paragraph 3.A. or 3.8., 

Accomplishment Instructions, of RR Alert NMS8 No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, 

dated July 18, 2014, or earlier versions, to do the inspection. 

(i) If the fan case LP fuel tube, PIN FW53576, fails inspection, before further 

flight, replace the fuel tube and clips with parts eligible for installation. 

(ii) If any FOHE mount or hardware shows signs of damage, wear, or fretting, 

replace the damaged part before further flight with a part eligible for installation. 

(3) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD, inspect the fan case LP 

fuel tubes, PINs FW26589, FW36335, FW26587, FW53577, and FW53576, and clips, 

and the FOHE mounts and hardware, for damage, wear, or fretting. Use paragraphs 

3.8.(1) and 3.8.(2) ofRR Alert NMS8 No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 

18, 2014, or earlier versions, to do the inspection. 

(i) If any fan case LP fuel tube fails inspection, replace the fuel tube and clips 

before further flight with parts eligible for installation. 

(ii) If any FOHE mount or hardware shows signs of damage, wear, or fretting, 

replace the damaged part before further flight with a part eligible for installation. 

( 4) If you replace any fan case LP fuel tube, clip, or FOHE mount or hardware as 

a result of the inspections of paragraphs (e)(l ), (e)(2), or (e)(3) of this AD, you must still 

continue to perform the repetitive inspections of paragraphs ( e )(1 ), ( e )(2), and ( e )(3) of 

this AD. 

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(5) Any reports requested in the NMSB accomplishment instructions referenced 

in paragraphs (e)(l), (e)(2), and (e)(3) ofthis AD are not required by this AD. 

(f) Credit for Previous Actions 

If, before the effective date of this AD, you performed the inspections and 

corrective actions required by paragraph (e)(2) ofthis AD using RR NMSB No. RB.211-

73-G848, Revision 3, dated June 12, 2014, or earlier versions, you met the initial 

inspection requirements of paragraph (e)(2) ofthis AD. 

(g) Definitions 

For the purposes of this AD: 

(1) An "engine shop visit" is the induction of an engine into the shop for 

maintenance i"nvolving the separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that 

the separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of transportation without 

subsequent engine maintenance is not an engine shop visit. 

(2) The fan case LP fuel tubes and clips, and the FOHE mounts and hardware, are 

eligible for installation if they have passed the inspection requirements of paragraphs 

(e)(l), (e)(2), and (e)(3) ofthis AD. 

(h) 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: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(i) Related Information 

(1 ) For more information about this AD, contact Wego Wang, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 

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England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803 ; phone: 781-238-7134; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: wego.wang@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0243R1 , dated 

December 10, 2014 for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket 

on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0363 . 

(3) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014, and 

earlier versions; RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, initial issue, dated September 9, 

2014; arid RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-G848, Revision 3, dated June 12, 2014, and earlier 

versions; which are not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from RollsRoyce plc, using the contact information in paragraph (i)( 4) of this proposed AD. 

( 4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Rolls-Royce 

pic, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-

44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce.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 781-23 8-7125. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 7, 2015. 

Ann C. Mollica, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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