DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

(4910-13-P] 

(Docket No. FAA-2012-0004; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-01-AD; Amendment 

39-17390; AD 2013-05-18] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: We arc superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all RollsRoyce pic (RR) RB2 11 Trent 500 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires a 

one-time inspection of the fuel tubes and fuel tube clips for evidence of damage, wear, 

and fuel leakage. This AD requires the same inspection, and adds additional repetitive 

inspections. This AD was prompted by additional RR engineering analysis. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent engine fuel leaks, which could result in engine damage and 

damage to the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 15 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

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

certain publication listed in the AD as of [INSERT DATE 15 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION JN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

We must receive any comments on this AD by [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS 

AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATJON IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

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.rcgulations.Qov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202-493-2251 . 

• Mail: U.S. Department ofTransportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room Wl2-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 

20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W 12-1 40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service infom1ation identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce pic, Corporate 

Communications, P.O. Box 31 , Derby, England, DE248BJ; phone: 01 1-44-1332-

242424; fax: 011 -44- 1332- 249936; or email: http://www.rollsroyce.com/contactlcivil_team.jsp. You may view this 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.rcaulations.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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and other infonnation. 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 

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

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Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 

Robert.Green@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On January 19, 2012, we issued AD 2012-02-04, Amendment 39-16927 (77 FR 

6668, February 9, 2012), for all RR RB211 Trent 500 series turbofan engines. That AD 

requires a one-time inspection of the fuel tubes and fuel tube clips for evidence of 

damage, wear, and fuel leakage. That AD resulted from reports of wear found between 

the securing clips and the low-pressure (LP) fuel tube outer surface, which reduces the 

fuel tube wall thickness, leading to fracture of the fuel tube and consequent fuel leakage. 

We issued that AD to prevent engine fuel leaks, which could result in engine damage and 

damage to the airplane. 

Actions Since AD was Issued 

Since we issued AD 2012-02-04, Amendment 39-16927 (77 FR 6668, February 9, 

20 12), RR engineering determined that additional repetitive inspections are required. The 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has notified us of this unsafe condition and 

corrective actions in EASA AD 2012-0237R1 , dated November 14, 2012. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-73-

AG948, dated September 28, 2012. The NMSB describes procedures for inspection and 

possible removal and replacement of the LP fuel tubes, fuel tube clips, and fuel-to-oil 

heat exchanger mounts. 

FAA's Determination 

We are issuing 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. 

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AD Requirements 

This AD requires a one-time inspection, and additional repetitive inspections of 

the fuel tubes, fuel tube clips, and fuel-to-oil heat exchanger mounts for evidence of 

damage, wear, and fuel leakage. 

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date 

The FAA has found that notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule is 

unnecessary because no engines are used on U.S. registered airplanes. Therefore, we find 

that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we 

did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to provide your comments before it 

becomes effective. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or arguments 

about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. 

Include the docket number F AA-20 12-0004 and directorate identifier 20 12-NE-0 1-AD at 

the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 

regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 

comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will not affect any engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry. Therefore, we estimate the cost of this AD to U.S. operators to be $0. 

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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 IJI, 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 procedw·es 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 

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: 

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

(2) Is not a "significant rule" under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

(44 FR II 034, 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. 

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Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA 

amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-02-

04, Amendment 39-16927 (77 FR 6668, February 9, 2012) and adding the following new 

AD: 

2013-05-18 Rolls-Royce pic: Amendment 39-17390; Docket No. F AA-20 12-0004; 

Directorate Identifier 20 12-NE-0 l-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 15 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD supersedes AD 2012-02-04, Amendment 39-16927 (77 FR 6668, 

February 9, 2012). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61 , RB211 Trent 

553A2-61 , R8211 Trent 556-61, R8211 Trent 556A2-61, R8211 Trent 5568-61 , RB211 

Trent 55682-61 , RB211 Trent 560-61, and RB211 Trent 560A2-61 turbofan engines that 

have any of the following fuel tube part numbers installed: FW57605, FW17689, 

FW57604, FK30710, FW57578, or FK30713. 

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{d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of wear found between the securing clips and 

the low-pressure (LP) fuel tube outer surface, which reduces the fuel tube wall thickness, 

leading to fracture of the fuel tube and consequent fuel leakage. We are issuing this AD 

to prevent engine fuel leaks, which could result in engine damage and damage to the 

airplane. 

(c) Actions and Compliance 

Unless already done, do the following actions. 

( 1) Inspect the LP fuel system of engines that are on wing within 1,600 flight 

hours after February 24, 2012, or before the next flight after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs later. Use the procedures in the Accomplishment Instructions, 

paragraph 3.A, ofRR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-73-

AG948, dated September 28, 2012, to do the inspection. 

(2) For engines that are in shop for any reason, after the effective date of this AD, 

inspect the LP fuel system. Use the procedures in the Accomplishment Instructions, 

paragraph 3.8, ofRR Alert NMSB RB.211-73-AG948, dated September 28, 2012, to do 

the inspection. 

(3) Thereafter, reinspect the LP fuel system within every 6,000 flight hours since 

last inspection. Reinspection may be on-wing or in the shop. Use the procedures in the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A or 3.8, as appropriate, ofRR Alert NMSB 

RB.211-73-AG948, dated September 28, 2012, to do the inspection. 

(4) If the LP fuel system fails the inspections required by this AD, replace the 

part(s) that failed the inspection with hardware eligible for installation. 

(f) Definitions 

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

for maintenance or overhaul. The separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 

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transporting the engine without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an 

engine shop visit. 

(g) Credit for Previous Actions 

You may take credit for the initial inspection required by paragraph (e)( I) of this 

AD if you performed the initial inspection before the effective date ofthis AD using RR 

Alert NMSB RB.21 1-73-AG948, dated September 28, 20 12; RR NMSB RB.21 1-73-

G723, dated September 26, 2011 , or Revision I, dated January 31, 20 12; or RR Alert 

NMSB RB.21l-73-AG797, dated October 26, 201 1, or Revision 1, dated January 31 , 

2012, or Revision 2, dated June 13, 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 39.19 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: 78 1-238-

7199; email: Roben .Green@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2012-0237R1 , dated 

November 14, 20 12, for related information. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

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

of the service infonnation listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 

51. 

(2) You must use this service infom1ation as applicable to do the actions required 

by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

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(i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-73-

AG948, dated September 28, 2012. 

(ii) Reserved. 

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

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31 , Derby, England, DE248BJ; phone: 011-44-

1332- 242424; fax: 0 11-44-1332-249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce. com/ contact/ ci vi 1_ team.j sp. 

(4) You may view this service infonnation at FAA, Engine & Propeller 

Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. 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/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 7, 2013. 

Colleen M. D' Alessandro, 

Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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