[Docket No. FAA-2015-4076; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-30-AD] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan 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 RollsRoyce pic (RR) RB211-22B and RB211-524 turbofan engines with low-pressure turbine 

(LPT) support roller bearing, part number (PIN) LK30313 or PIN UL29651, installed. 

This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a breach of the turbine casing and release 

of engine debris. This proposed AD would require removal of certain LPT support roller 

bearings installed in RR RB211-22B and RB211-524 engines. We are proposing this AD 

to prevent failure of the LPT support roller bearing, loss of radial position following LPT 

blade failure, uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by [INSERT DATE 60 

DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: 

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

instructions for submitting comments. 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

• Fax: 202-493-2251. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://WW\V.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-4076; 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 mandatory continuing 

airworthiness infonnation (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 

and other infmmation. 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: Brian Kierstead, Aerospace Engineer, 

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

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 

brian.kierstead@faa.gov. 

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. F AA-2015-4076; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-30-AD" at the 

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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 persmmel 

concerning this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Teclmical Agent for 

the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2015-0187, dated 

September 9, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as "the MCAI"), to correct an w1safe condition 

for the specified products. The MCAI states: 

An RB211-524G2-T engine experienced an in-service event that 

resulted in breach of a turbine casing and some release of core 

engine debris through a hole in the engine nacelle. The 

investigation of the event detennined the primary cause to have 

been fracture and release of a Low Pressure (LP) turbine stage 2 

blade. The blade release caused secondary damage to the LP 

turbine, producing significant out-of-balance forces. The event 

engine was fitted with an LP turbine support bearing where the 

roller retention cage is constructed from two halves that are riveted 

together. The LP turbine imbalance resulted in an overload of the 

LP turbine support bearing and caused separation of the riveted, 

two -piece roller retention cage. Radial location of the LP turbine 

shaft was lost, allowing further progression of the event that 

resulted in a breach of the IP turbine casing. 

RR introduced a modified LPT support roller bearing that can withstand greater 

loads when an LPT turbine blade release occurs, thereby preventing LPT rotor 

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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 European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe condition described 

in the MCAI. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information provided 

by EASA and determined the tmsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on 

other products of the same type design. This proposed AD would require removal from 

service of the affected LPT support bearings. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 9 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry. We also estimate it would take 0 hours to comply with this proposed AD since 

the proposed actions required by the AD would be performed during a shop visit, when 

major engine flanges are separated, which requires the removal of the LPT suppol,i roller 

bearing. Therefore, no additional time is needed to remove it. Parts would cost about 

$8,184 per engine. 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 $73,656. 

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. 

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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 Govemment 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 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. 

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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 plc: Docket No. FAA-2015-4076; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-30-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 Rolls-Royce pic RB211-22B-02, RB211-22B (MOD 72-

8700), RB211-524B-02, RB211-524B-B-02, RB211-524B2-19, RB211-524B2-B-19, 

RB211-524B3-02, RB211-524B4-02, RB211-524B4-D-02, RB211-524C2-19, RB211-

524C2-B-19, RB211-524D4-19, RB211-524D4-B-19, RB211-524D4X-19, RB211-

524D4X-B-19, RB211-524D4-39, RB211-524D4-B-39, RB211-524G2-19, RB211-

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(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report of a breach of the turbine casing and release of 

engine debris through a hole in the engine nacelle. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

failure of the LPT support roller bearing, loss of radial position following LPT blade 

failure, uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

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

At the next shop visit or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs first, remove from service LPT support roller bearing, PIN LK30313 or PIN 

UL29651, and replace with a part eligible for installation. 

(f) Installation Prohibition 

After the effective date of this AD, do not install an LPT support roller bearing, 

PIN LK30313 or PIN UL29651, onto any engine. 

(g) Definition 

For the purpose of this AD, a "shop visit" is defined as induction of an engine into 

the shop for maintenance involving 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 does not constitute an engine shop 

visit. 

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(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Brian Kierstead, Aerospace 

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

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7772; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: brian.kierstead@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0187, dated 

September 9, 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 it in Docket 

No. FAA-2015-4076. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 2, 2015. 

Colleen M. D' Alessandro, 

Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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