This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

78863 

Vol. 76, No. 244 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–0961; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NE–22–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce 

Corporation Turboshaft Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) 250– 

C20, –C20B, and –C20R/2 turboshaft 

engines. This proposed AD was 

prompted by seven cases reported of 

released turbine blades and shrouds, 

which led to loss of power and engine 

in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). This 

proposed AD would require a one-time 

visual inspection and fluorescent 

penetrant inspection (FPI) on certain 

3rd and 4th stage turbine wheels for 

cracks in the turbine blades. We are 

proposing this AD to prevent failure of 

3rd or 4th stage turbine wheel blades 

which could cause engine failure and 

damage to the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by February 21, 2012. 

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 NPRM, contact Rolls-Royce 

Corporation Customer Support, P.O. 

Box 420, Indianapolis, IN 46206–0420; 

phone: (888) 255–4766 or (317) 230– 

2720; fax: (317) 230–3381, email: 

helicoptercustsupp@rolls-royce.com, 

and Web site: www.rolls-royce.com. You 

may review copies of the referenced 

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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; 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 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street 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: John 

Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago 

Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 

E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 

phone: (847) 294–8180; fax: (847) 294– 

7834; email: john.m.tallarovic@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2011–0961; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NE–22–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD 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 proposed AD. 

Discussion 

We received reports of seven cases of 

released turbine blades and shrouds due 

to fatigue on certain RRC 250–C20, 

–C20B, and –C20R/2 turboshaft engines. 

These cases resulted in loss of power 

and engine IFSDs. This condition, if not 

corrected, could result in IFSDs. We are 

proposing a one-time visual and FPI on 

the 3rd stage turbine wheel, part 

number (P/N) 23065818, and on the 4th 

stage turbine wheel, P/N 23055944. 

Since the original approval of these 

parts, speed avoidance restrictions have 

been established for these engines to 

prevent fatigue damage. In trying to 

identify the cause of this failure, RRC 

conducted an extensive product review. 

This product review determined the 

cause of the problem and instituted 

corrective actions. However, latent 

damage may still be present. Therefore, 

this unsafe condition may still exist. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed RRC Alert Commercial 

Engine Bulletin (CEB) No. CEB–A–1407, 

Revision 1, dated February 7, 2011 and 

CEB–A–72–4098, Revision 1, dated 

February 7, 2011 (combined in one 

document). Alert CEB–A–1407 

describes procedures for performing a 

one-time visual inspection and FPI on 

the 3rd stage turbine wheel, P/N 

23065818, and on the 4th stage turbine 

wheel, P/N 23055944 for cracks in the 

turbine blades on the model 250–C20 

and –C20B turboshaft engines. Alert 

CEB–A–72–4098 describes procedures 

for performing a one-time visual 

inspection and FPI on the 3rd stage 

turbine wheel, P/N 23065818, and on 

the 4th stage turbine wheel, P/N 

23055944 for cracks in the turbine 

blades on the model 250–C20R/2 

turboshaft engine. 

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 proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously. 


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78864 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 20, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 500 RRC C250–C20, 

–C20B, and –C20R/2 turboshaft engines 

installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. We 

also estimate that it would take about 5 

hours to perform a one-time visual 

inspection and FPI of the 3rd stage 

turbine wheel and the 4th stage turbine 

wheel for cracks in the turbine blades, 

for each engine. The average labor rate 

is $85 per work-hour. We anticipate no 

required parts cost. Based on these 

figures, we estimate the total cost of the 

AD to U.S. operators to be $212,500. 

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 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 this 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, 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 

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 Corporation (Formerly Allison 

Engine Company and Allison Gas 

Turbine Division of General Motors): 

Docket No. FAA–2011–0961; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NE–22–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by February 

21, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies only to Rolls-Royce 

Corporation 250–C20, –C20B, and –C20R/2 

turboshaft engines with 3rd stage turbine 

wheel, part number (P/N) 23065818, and 4th 

stage turbine wheel, P/N 23055944. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by seven cases 

reported of released turbine blades and 

shrouds, which led to loss of power and 

engine in-flight shutdowns. We are issuing 

this AD to prevent failure of 3rd or 4th stage 

turbine wheel blades which could cause 

engine failure and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(1) Remove the 3rd stage turbine wheel, P/ 

N 23065818, and the 4th stage turbine wheel, 

P/N 23055944, at the next 1,750-hour 

overhaul. 

(2) Perform a one-time visual inspection 

and a fluorescent penetrant inspection on the 

3rd and 4th stage turbine wheels for cracks 

at the trailing edge of the turbine blades near 

the fillet at the rim. 

(3) If any cracks in the trailing edge near 

the rim are detected, do not return the wheel 

to service. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

The Manager, Chicago Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, may approve 

AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures 

found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. 

(g) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact John Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer, 

Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 

2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 

phone: (847) 294–8180; fax: (847) 294–7834; 

email: john.m.tallarovic@faa.gov. 

(2) Rolls-Royce Corporation Alert 

Commercial Engine Bulletin No. CEB–A– 

1407, Revision 1, dated February 7, 2011 and 

CEB–A–72–4098, Revision 1, dated February 

7, 2011 (combined in one document) pertain 

to the subject of this AD. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Rolls-Royce Corporation 

Customer Support, P.O. Box 420, 

Indianapolis, IN 46206–0420; phone: (888) 

255–4766 or (317) 230–2720; fax: (317) 230– 

3381; email: helicoptercustsupp@rollsroyce.com, and Web site: www.rollsroyce.com. You may review copies of the 

referenced 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. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on 

December 14, 2011. 

Thomas A. Boudreau, 

Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–32491 Filed 12–19–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1262; Airspace 

Docket No. 11–ANM–25] 

Proposed Amendment of Class E 

Airspace; Lamar, CO 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

amend Class E airspace at Lamar 

Municipal Airport, Lamar, CO. 

Decommissioning of the Lamar Tactical 

Air Navigation System (TACAN) has 

made this action necessary for the safety 

and management of Instrument Flight 

Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. 

This action also would adjust the 

geographic coordinates of the airport. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before February 3, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; 

telephone (202) 366–9826. You must 

identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2011– 


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