# v Version 3.2 (5/29/13) [4910-13-P] DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD; Amendment**/1~7? ~~** **0/ 39-** **;** AD**2013- ~**  RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) , DOT

. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. This AD

AD requires a one-time ultrasonic inspection ofLP compressor blades that had accumulated more than 2,500 flight cycles (FC) since new. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, engine damage, and damage to the airplane. DATES: This AD becomes effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. The Director ofthe Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference ofcertain publications listed in this AD as of
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# /1**3**ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department ofTransportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. , West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 , Washington, DC 20590-0001. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http :/ /www.regulations.gov;
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 regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754 ; fax : 781-238-7199 ; email : robert.green @faa. gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion We issued a notice ofproposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 31 , 2013 (78 FR 6749). That NPRM proposed to require
a one-time ultrasonic C-scan inspection ofLP compressor blades that have accumulated
more than 2,500 FC since new. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) subsequently superseded EASA AD 2012-0247 , dated November 20, 2012, by issuing EASA AD 2013-0060, dated March 11 , 2013 , to include are-inspection requirement for certain LP compressor blades that were not inspected correctly. The new mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

2Comments Low-Pressure (LP) compressor partial aerofoil blade release events have occurred in service on RR Trent 700 engines

. While primary containment ofthe released sections has been achieved in each case, some ofthe releases did exhibit secondary effects that are considered to present a potential hazard

. Previously, expeditious actions by RR have mitigated the risks presented by these effects, by removal from service ofbatches ofLP compressor blades. However, some causal factors still exist that are not fully understood. This condition, ifnot detected and corrected, could lead to LP compressor blade release with possible consequent loss ofthe engine nose cowl , under cowl fires and forward projection ofsecondary debris , possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and/or injury to persons on the ground. To mitigate the risk offurther partial fan blade release events, RR issued Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G872, providing instructions for an ultrasonic inspection ofthe affected LP compressor blades to detect subsurface anomalies in the aerofoil and, depending on findings , replacement ofLP compressor blades. To address this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2012-0247 to require a one-time inspection ofthe affected LP compressor blades. Since that AD was issued, a population ofLP compressor blades have been identified as incorrectly inspected and therefore require re-inspection

. Consequently, RR issued NMSB RB.211-72-H311 to provide the instructions for this re-inspection. For the reason described above, this AD retains the requirements ofEASA AD 2012-0247, which is superseded, and adds, for the affected group ofLP compressor blades, a one-time re-inspection.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comments received

. 3Request to Change Summary RR requested that we change the Summary to state that the AD would require a one-time ultrasonic inspection ofLP compressor blades (without being specific to Cscan). The reason for this request is that RR issued Revision 2 to NMSB RB.211-72- G872, dated March 8, 2013, which added phased array as an alternative ultrasonic technique to C-scan. We agree. We changed the AD Summary to state: "This AD requires a one-time ultrasonic inspection ofLP compressor blades that had

..." Request to Change Discussion RR requested that we change the Discussion to note that EASA AD 2012-0247, dated November 20, 2012, was superseded by EASA AD 2013-0060, dated March 11, 2013, which includes are-inspection requirement for certain LP compressor blades that
were not inspected correctly. We agree. We referenced EASA AD 2013-0060, dated March 11, 2013 in the Discussion and Related Information paragraphs ofthis AD. Request to Change Relevant Service Information RR requested that the Relevant Service Information paragraph be changed because they issued NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013. This NMSB adds phased array ultrasonic inspection as an on-wing or in-shop alternative to the C-scan inspection technique. Also, because certain LP compressor blades were not inspected correctly in accordance with RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2012, RR issued NMSB RB.211-72-H311, dated March 8, 2013 , to require reinspection ofblades identified by serial number (SIN). The accomplishment instructions and compliance period for NMSB RB.211-72-H311, dated March 8, 2013, are identical to those ofNMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013. Blades inspected

4to NMSB RB.211-72-H311, dated March 8, 2013, do not then need inspection to NMSB RB

.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013. We partially agree . We agree that RR updated its service information. We do not agree that the Relevant Service Information paragraph be changed, because that paragraph only exists in the proposed AD (78 FR 6749 , January 31 , 2013)

. We did not change the AD. Request to Change AD Requirements Statement RR requested that we replace the requirements statement, ofinspections specific to C-scan, with a statement requiring a one-time ultrasonic inspection ofLP compressor blades (without being specific to C-scan). We agree. We changed the AD Summary to state that the AD requires a one-time ultrasonic inspection ofLP compressor blades that had accumulated more than 2,500 FC
smce new. Request to Change Compliance Time RR requested that the compliance time be changed from within 500 FC, to within 500 FC or 10 months, whichever is earlier

. RR stated that this change is necessary to
ensure compliance within a reasonable period oftime

. We agree that a calendar end date is appropriate for AD management, and for that purpose, we agree 10 months is appropriate. We changed the AD to include the 10-month compliance end date. Request to Change Actions and Compliance RR requested that paragraph (e) ofthe AD be changed to reflect the revised inspection methods issued in RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013, to include are-inspection requirement for certain blades provided by NMSB RB.211-72-H311 , dated March 8, 2013 , and to eliminate the requirement to remove the LP compressor blades. RR stated that these changes were needed because the revised 

### 5inspections in their service information adds phased array ultrasonic inspection and onwing inspection instructions. RR NMSB RB.211-72-H311 introduces are-inspection requirement for blades that were previously inspected incorrectly

. The on-wing phased array ultrasonic inspection added by NMSB RB

.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013 , and included in NMSB RB

.211-72-H311 , does not require removal ofthe blades from the engine for inspection. We agree. We changed paragraph (e) ofthis AD to state the following: For engines with LP compressor blades that have 2,500 FC or more since new or since last inspection using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702 , dated May 23 , 2011 , perform an ultrasonic inspection ofeach compressor blade within 500 FC or within 10 months after the effective date ofthis AD, whichever is sooner. Use paragraphs 3

.C through 3.H ofRR NMSB RB.211-72-G872 , Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013, to do the inspection. You may do the on-wing phased array ultrasonic inspection added by NMSB RB.211-72- G872 , and included in NMSB RB.211-72-H311 , without removing the blades from the engine for the inspection. We added a Credit for Previous Actions paragraph (g) ofthis AD, which states that you may take credit for the ultrasonic C-scan inspection ofeach LP compressor blade ifyou performed the inspection before the effective date ofthis AD using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872 , dated April3 , 2012, or Revision 1, dated July 2, 2012. Request to Change Actions and Compliance RR requested that the Actions and Compliance paragraph be changed from "

...do not install on an engine any LP compressor blade

.. ." to "

...do not install on an engine any replacement blade

.. .". RR stated that the purpose ofthis change was to avoid confusion in the case that the blades are removed for routine maintenance such as relubrication ofthe blade root. We partially agree. We agree that blades removed for routine on-wing 6maintenance such as the re-lubrication ofthe blade roots should not be subject to the installation prohibition ifthey are within the compliance period interval. We do not agree with the use ofthe word "replacement" as it is ambiguous

. We changed the Installation Prohibition paragraph (f) ofthis AD to read: " After the effective date ofthis AD , do not install, on any engine, any LP compressor blade that has 2,500 FC or more since new or since last inspection using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23 , 2011 , unless the LP compressor blade has passed the ultrasonic inspection required in paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) ofthis AD. LP compressor blades that are removed for routine on-wing maintenance such as blade root re-lubrication that will subsequently be reassembled into the engine are not subject to this Installation Prohibition. " 

### Conclusion We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope ofthe AD. 

### Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD will affect 56 engines installed on airplanes ofU.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 38 hours per engine to comply with this AD

. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures , we estimate the cost ofthe AD on U.S. operators to be $180,880. 

### 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 ofthe FAA Administrator.

" Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs ," describes in more detail the scope ofthe Agency ' s authority.

7We 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 ofcivil 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 ofthat 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 ofgovernment. 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 itjustifies making a regulatory distinction, and (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number ofsmall entities under the criteria ofthe Regulatory Flexibility Act. We prepared a regulatory evaluation ofthe estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

8Adoption ofthe 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 AD: 2013-12-01 Rolls-Royce pic: Amendment 39-17478; Docket No

. FAA-2012-1327 ; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]

. (b) Affected ADs None

. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. (d) Reason This AD was prompted by low-pressure (LP) compressor blade partial airfoil release events. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, engine damage, and damage to the airplane. (e) Actions and Compliance Unless already done, do the following actions.

9(1) Inspection of LP Compressor Blade On-Wing or In-Shop (i) For engines with LP compressor blades that have 2,500 flight cycles (FC) or
more since new or since last inspection using RR Non-Mandatory Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G702 , dated May 23 , 2011 , perform an ultrasonic inspection ofeach LP compressor blade within 500 FC or within 10 months after the effective date ofthis AD, whichever is sooner. (ii) Use paragraphs 3

.C through 3.H ofthe Accomplishment Instructions ofRR NMSB RB

.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013 , to do the inspection

. (iii) You may do the on-wing phased array ultrasonic inspection added by NMSB RB.211-72-G872 , Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013, and included in NMSB RB.211-72- H311 , without removing the blades from the engine for the inspection. (2) Re-Inspection ofLP Compressor Blade Identified by Serial Number (SIN) (i) For engines with LP compressor blades installed and identified by SIN in Appendix 1 ofRR NMSB RB.211-72-H311 , dated March 8, 2013 , and that have, on the effective date ofthis AD, accumulated 2,500 FC since new or since last inspection using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702 , dated May 23 , 2011 , perform an ultrasonic inspection of each LP compressor blade. (ii) The inspection, either on-wing or in-shop, must be performed within 500 FC
or 10 months, whichever is sooner, after the effective date ofthis AD. (iii) Use paragraphs 3.C through 3.H ofthe Accomplishment Instructions ofRR NMSB RB.211-72-H311 , dated March 8, 2013 , to do the inspection. (f) Installation Prohibition (1) After the effective date ofthis AD, do not install, on any engine, any LP compressor blade that has 2,500 FC or more since new or since last inspection using RR NMSB RB

.211-72-G702 , dated May 23 , 2011 , unless the LP compressor blade has passed the ultrasonic inspection required in paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) ofthis AD. 10(2) LP compressor blades that are removed for routine on-wing maintenance such
as blade root re-lubrication that will subsequently be reassembled into the engine are not subject to this Installation Prohibition. (g) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the ultrasonic C-scan inspection ofeach compressor blade ifyou performed the inspection before the effective date ofthis AD using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872 , dated April3 , 2012, or Revision 1, dated July 2, 2012. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 3 9

. 19 to make your request. (i) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD , contact Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803 ; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238- 7199 ; email: robert.green@ faa.gov

. (2) European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0060, dated March 11 , 2013 , pertains to the subject ofthis AD. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director ofthe Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) ofthe 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. (i) Rolls-Royce plc Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-H311 , dated March 8, 2013.

11(ii) Rolls-Royce pic Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-G872 , Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013. (3) For Rolls-Royce pic service information identified in this AD , contact RollsRoyce pic, P

.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax : 44 (0) 1332 249936. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability ofthis material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. (5) You may view this service information at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability ofthis material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http: //www.archives

.gov/federal-register/cfrlibrlocations

.html.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts , on June 5, 2013.

Colleen M. D'Alessandro, Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

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