DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[4910-13-P] 

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0462; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-06; Amendment 39-

18075; AD 2015-02-08] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation Turboprop and Turbofan 

Engines (Type Certificate previously held by Allison Engine Company) 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain RollsRoyce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100 series turboprop engines and AE 3007 A and 3007C 

series turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by reports of pitting in the wheel bores 

and subsequent RRC analysis that concluded that lower life limits are needed for the 

affected turbine wheels. This AD requires a reduction for the approved life limits of the 

affected turbine wheels. This AD also requires an eddy current inspection (ECI) of 

certain RRC engines with affected turbine wheels. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

uncontained failure of the turbine wheels, damage to the engine, and damage to the 

airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 

certain publications listed in this AD as of [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce 

Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-06, Indianapolis, IN 46225; 
phone: 317-230-1667; email: CMSEindyOSD@rolls-royce.com; Internet: www.rollsroyce.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 ofthis 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 by 

searching for and locating Docket No. F AA-20 14-0462, 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 

800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace 

Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 2300 

E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 

kyri .zaroyiannis@faa. gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CPR part 39 by 

adding an AD that would apply to certain RRC AE 2100 series turboprop engines and AE 

3007 A and 3007C series turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 

on October 2, 2014 (79 FR 59461). The NPRM was prompted by reports ofpitting in the 

wheel bores and subsequent RRC analysis that concluded that lower life limits are needed 

for the affected turbine wheels. The NPRM proposed to require reducing the approved 

life limits ofthe .affected turbine wheels and performing an ECI of certain RRC engines 

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with affected turbine wheels. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of 

the turbine wheels, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. 

Comments 

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

considered the comment received. An anonymous commenter supported the NPRM (79 

FR 59461, October 2, 2014). 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined 

that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 

minor editorial changes, e.g., verb tense changes and word changes appropriate to a final 

rule. We have determined that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 59461, 

October 2, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed 

in the NPRM (79 FR 59461 , October 2, 2014). 

Related Service Information 

We reviewed: 

• Rolls-Royce (RR) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AE 21 OOD2-A-72-085, 

dated July 25,2013. 

• RR ASB No. AE 2100D3-A-72-277, dated July 25,2013. 

• RR ASB No. AE 2100P-A-72-019, dated July 25,2013 . 

• RR ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-407, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2014. 

• RR ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-408, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2014. 

• RR ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, dated December 6, 2013. 

These service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting high-pressure turbine (HPT) 

stage 2 wheels and identifies life-limit reduction for all affected HPT wheels. You can 

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find this information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 

No. FAA-2014-0462. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 664 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 hour to perform an ECI in the bore of 

the turbine wheel for affected engines. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We 

estimate the pro-rated replacement cost would be $30,688 for a 1st stage gas generator 

turbine wheel; $63,693 for a HPT stage 1 wheel; $13,941 for an HPT stage 2 wheel; and 

$13, 186 for a 4th stage turbine wheel. We also estimate that these parts would be replaced 

during an engine shop visit at no additional labor cost. Based on these figures, we 

estimate the total cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $11,317,969. 

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 ofthe 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 

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 

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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 that this AD: 

( 1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a "significant rule" under 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. 

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): 

2015-02-08 Roll-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate previously held by Allison 

Engine Company): Amendment 39-18075; Docket No. FAA-2014-046~ ; Directorate 

Identifier 2014-NE-06-AD. 

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(a) Effective Date 

This AD is 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 Corporation (RRC) AE 2100D2, 2100D2A, 

2100D3, and 2100P turboprop engines and AE 3007Al, Al/1 , Al/3, AlE, AlP, A2, A3, 

C, C 1, and C2 turbofan engines: 

(1) With an installed 1st stage gas generator turbine wheel, part number (PIN) 

23079946, 23088906, or 23089692, all serial numbers (SINs) listed in Table 2 and Table 

3 ofRRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AE 2100D2-A-72-085, dated July 25, 2013; 

and in Table 2 and Table 3 ofRRC ASB No. AE 2100D3-A-72-277, dated July 25,2013. 

(2) With an installed high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 or HPT stage 2 wheel, 

PIN 23079946, 23088906, 23088784, 23084520, 23084781 , 23088817, or 23088818, all 

SINs listed in Table 1 through Table 7 ofRRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-407, Revision 

1, dated August 29,2014, except those SINs excluded by Table 1, Table 2, Table 4, and 

Table 5 ofRRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-407, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2014. 

(3) With an installed HPT stage 2 wheel, PIN 23084520 or 23088818, all SINs 

listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of RRC ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, dated December 6, 

2013, except those SINs excluded by Table 1 ofRRC ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, 

dated December 6, 2013. 

(4) With an installed 41

h stage turbine wheel, PIN 23083536, all SINs listed in 

Table 2 ofRRC ASB No. AE 2100P-A-72-019, dated July 25 , 2013. 

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(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of pitting in the wheel bores and subsequent 

RRC analysis that concluded that lower life limits are needed for the affected turbine 

wheels. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the turbine wheels, 

damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Compliance 

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

(1) For all RRC AE 3007Al, Al/1, Al /3, AlE, AlP, and A3 series engines with 

an HPT stage 2 wheel PIN and SIN identified in RRC ASB No. AE 3007 A-A-72-408, 

Revision 1, dated August 29,2014, at each shop visit after the effective date ofthis AD, 

eddy current inspect the bore of the affected HPT stage 2 wheels. Use RRC ASB No. AE 

3007A-A-72-408, Revision 1, August 29,2014, to do the inspection. Do not return to 

service any wheel that fails the inspection required by this AD. 

(2) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not return to service any 

engine that has a turbine wheel with a PIN and an SIN listed in any of the following RRC 

ASBs whose wheel life exceeds the new life limits identified in the RRC ASBs: 

RRC ASB No. AE 2100D2-A-72-085, dated July 25, 2013 ; 

RRC ASB No. AE 2100D3-A-72-277, dated July 25, 2013; 

RRC ASB No. AE 2100P-A-72-019, dated July 25, 2013 ; I 

RRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-407, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2014; or 

RRC ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, dated December 6, 2013. 

(f) Installation Prohibition 

Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected wheel, as 

identified in paragraph (c) of this AD, into any RRC AE 3007C2 engine. 

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(g) Definition 

For the purpose of this AD, an "engine shop visit" is the 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 is not an engine shop visit. 

(h) 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. 

(i) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, contact Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace 

Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 2300 

E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 

kyri .zaroyiannis@faa. gov. 

U) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the 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 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AE 21 OOD2-A-72-085, dated 

July 25,2013. 

2014. 

(ii) Rolls-Royce ASB No. AE 2100D3-A-72-277, dated July 25, 2013. 

(iii) Rolls-Royce ASB No. AE 2100P-A-72-019, dated July 25, 2013. 

(iv) Rolls-Royce ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-407, Revision 1, dated August 29, 

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(v) Rolls-Royce ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-408, Revision 1, dated August 29, 

2014. 

(vi) Rolls-Royce ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, dated December 6, 2013 . 

(3) For RRC service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce 

Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-06, Indianapolis, IN 46225; 

phone: 317-230-1667; email: CMSEindyOSD@rolls-royce.com; Internet: www.rollsroyce.com. 

( 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 of this material at NARA, 

call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfrlibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 13, 2015. 

~~udre u,----- Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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