[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 162 (Monday, August 22, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52288-52290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21311]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0836; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-38-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 800 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    Fuel leaks from the engine have occurred in-service due to 
damage to sections of the fan case Low Pressure (LP) fuel tubes 
which run between the Low Pressure and the High Pressure (HP) fuel 
pumps. This damage has been caused by frettage between the securing 
clips and the tube outer surface, which has caused localised 
thinning of the tube wall thickness. The thinning of the tube wall 
causes the tube to fracture and fuel loss to occur.

We are proposing this AD to prevent engine fuel leaks, which could 
result in risk to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 6, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce 
plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom: telephone 44 (0) 
1332 242424; fax 44 (0) 1332 249936.

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 proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (phone (800) 647-5527) is the 
same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dfbeb3beb1f1acabadb0b29fb9bebef1b8b0a9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="33525f525d1d4047415c5e735552521d545c45">[email protected]</span></a>; telephone (781) 238-7143; fax (781) 238-7199.

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-2011-0836; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-38-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 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

[[Page 52289]]

will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search 
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any 
of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who 
sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy 
Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 
FR 19477-78).

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2010-0188, dated September 20, 2010 (referred 
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Fuel leaks from the engine have occurred in-service due to 
damage to sections of the fan case Low Pressure (LP) fuel tubes 
which run between the Low Pressure and the High Pressure (HP) fuel 
pumps. This damage has been caused by frettage between the securing 
clips and the tube outer surface, which has caused localised 
thinning of the tube wall thickness. The thinning of the tube wall 
causes the tube to fracture and fuel loss to occur.
    This AD requires inspection and, if necessary, replacement of 
fan case LP fuel tubes and clips.

Relevant Service Information

    Rolls-Royce plc has issued Alert Service Bulletin RB.211-73-AD685, 
Revision 5, dated August 18, 2010. The actions described in this 
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the 
United Kingdom, and is approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, they have 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 110 products 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-
hours per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $225 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $52,800.

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); and
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the 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.

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2011-0836; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NE-38-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by October 6, 2011.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 875-17, 877-
17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. 
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 777 
series airplanes.

Reason

    (d) This AD results from:
    Fuel leaks from the engine have occurred in-service due to 
damage to sections of the fan case Low Pressure (LP) fuel tubes 
which run between the Low Pressure and the High Pressure (HP) fuel 
pumps. This damage has been caused by frettage between the securing 
clips and the tube outer surface, which has caused localised 
thinning of the tube wall thickness. The thinning of the tube wall 
causes the tube to fracture and fuel loss to occur.
    We are issuing this AD to prevent engine fuel leaks, which could 
result in risk to the airplane.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.

Initial Inspection

    (f) Within 2,000 hours in service after the effective date of 
this AD, or before accumulating 3,000 hours-since-new or 3,000 
hours-since-last inspection, whichever is latest, do one of the 
following:

On-wing Inspection

    (1) Inspect the fan case LP fuel tubes (Part Numbers (P/N) 
FK22617, FK19213 and FK23986) and the clips that hold the fuel tubes 
in place. Use paragraphs 3.A.(2) and 3.A.(3) (On-wing) of RR Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-73-D685, Revision 5, 
dated August 18, 2010, or

In-shop Inspection

    (2) Inspect the fan case LP fuel tubes (P/N FK22617, FK19213 and 
FK23986) and the clips that hold the fuel tubes in place. Use

[[Page 52290]]

paragraphs 3.B.(2) and 3.B.(3) (In-shop) of RR NMSB RB.211-73-D685, 
Revision 5, dated August 18, 2010.

Repetitive Inspection

    (g) Following accomplishment of the initial inspection in 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of 
this AD, repeat the inspection at intervals not exceeding 3,000 
hours, and, if necessary, replace the fan case LP fuel tubes (P/N 
FK22617, FK19213 and FK23986) and the clips that hold the fuel tubes 
in place. Use paragraphs 3.A.(2) and 3.A.(3) (On-wing) or 3.B.(2) 
and 3.B.(3) (In-shop) of RR NMSB RB.211-73-D685, Revision 5, dated 
August 18, 2010.

FAA AD Differences

    (h) None.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2010-
0188, dated September 20, 2010, and Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service 
Bulletin RB.211-73-AD685, Revision 5, dated August 18, 2010, for 
related information. Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom: telephone 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax 44 (0) 
1332 249936, for a copy of this service information.
    (k) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e48588858aca9790968b89a4828585ca838b92"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fe9f929f90d08d8a8c9193be989f9fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>; 
telephone (781) 238-7143; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information 
about this AD.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 5, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-21311 Filed 8-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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