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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70198-70200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27431]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0397; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-15-AD; 
Amendment 39-17656; AD 2013-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) model Tay 620-15, 650-15, and 
651-54 turbofan engines. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the 
high-pressure (HP) air bleed valve operating mechanism and, depending 
on findings, corrective action. This AD was prompted by excessive 
deterioration of the HP air bleed valve operating mechanism, which is 
influencing the aerodynamic fan flutter margin. This condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to multiple fan blade failure. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent multiple fan blade failure, which could result in 
uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 30, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 30, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

[[Page 70199]]

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: frederick.zink@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 13, 2013 (78 FR 
35574). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A review of the service history of Tay engines discovered that 
the High Pressure (HP) air bleed valve operating mechanism is 
exposed to excessive deterioration, influencing the aerodynamics and 
stability of the Low Pressure (LP) compressor (fan) rotor.
    This condition, if not corrected, could reduce fan flutter 
margin and, in some cases, could lead to multiple fan blade 
failures, possibly resulting in an uncontained release of high 
energy debris with consequent damage to, and/or reduced control of, 
the aeroplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received.

Request To Change Unsafe Condition Statement Wording

    RRD requested that we clarify the cause of fan blade flutter stated 
in the unsafe condition statement to include ``. . . affects the 
aerodynamic flutter margin causing subsequent multiple fan blade 
failure . . .''. Fan blade flutter does not occur automatically. 
Reduction of fan flutter margin increases the risk of fan flutter 
potentially leading to fan blade cracking.
    We agree. We changed the unsafe condition statement to ``This AD 
was prompted by excessive deterioration of the HP air bleed valve 
operating mechanism, which is influencing the aerodynamic fan flutter 
margin. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to multiple fan 
blade failure''.

Request To Change Applicability

    RRD requested that we change the scope of the AD to include Tay 
650-15 and Tay 651-54 engine models. The justification for this request 
is supported by European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0142, dated 
July 12, 2013 and RRD Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
No. TAY-75-A1784, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2013.
    We partially agree. We disagree with adding the Tay 650-15 engine 
model because it is already in the AD. We agree with adding the Tay 
651-54 engine model to the applicability because it is included in RRD 
NMSB No. TAY-75-A1784, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2013. Additionally, we 
added the Tay 620-15 engine model to the applicability because the 
latest MCAI added it. We changed the applicability accordingly, which 
increased the costs of compliance. Further, we updated the paragraph 
number reference in Compliance paragraph (e)(2) of this AD to 
correspond to the revised NMSB.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these 
changes will not significantly increase the economic burden on any 
operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 78 engines of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 10 hours per engine 
to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. 
Required parts will cost about $153 per engine. Based on these figures, 
we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $78,234.

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 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 this AD:
    (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.
    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.

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2013-23-01 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-17656; 
Docket No. FAA-2013-0397; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-15-AD.

[[Page 70200]]

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 30, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
model Tay 620-15, 650-15, and 651-54 turbofan engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by excessive deterioration of the high-
pressure (HP) air bleed valve operating mechanism which is 
influencing the aerodynamic fan flutter margin. This condition, if 
not corrected, could lead to multiple fan blade failure. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent multiple fan blade failure, which could 
result in uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 1,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, perform a one-time inspection of the HP air bleed valve 
operating mechanism. Use paragraphs 3.D. and 3.E. of RRD Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. TAY-75-A1784, Revision 1, 
dated May 30, 2013, to do your inspection.
    (2) If the measured torque necessary to open and close the HP 
air bleed valve is higher than the torque values referenced in 
paragraph 3.D.(1)(a)[1] for the Tay 620-15 and 650-15 engines, or 
3.D.(2)(a)[1] for the Tay 651-54 engine, of RRD Alert NMSB No. TAY-
75-A1784, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2013, then before next flight, 
accomplish paragraph 3.D(1)(a)[1][a], for the Tay 620-15 and 650-15 
engines, or 3.D.(2)(a)[1][a], for the Tay 651-54 engine, of RRD 
Alert NMSB No. TAY-75-A1784, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2013.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, 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 Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
frederick.zink@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0142, dated 
July 12, 2013, for more information. You may examine the AD on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-
0397-0004.

(h) 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 Deutschland Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin No. TAY-75-A1784, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33-7086-1200; fax: 49 0 
33-7086-1212.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA. For information on the availability of this 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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 1, 2013.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-27431 Filed 11-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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