DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice ofproposed rulemaking (NPRM). 

[4910-13-P] 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all RollsRoyce pic (RR) models RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. 

This proposed AD was prompted by low-pressure (LP) compressor blade partial airfoil 

release events. This proposed AD would require a one-time ultrasonic C-scan inspection 

of LP compressor blades that had accumulated more than 2,500 flight cycles since new. 

We are proposing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, engine 

damage, 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://vvww.regulations.gov and follow the 

instructions for sending your comments electronically. 

• 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 . 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 
• Fax: 202-493-2251. 

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, 

P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1332 242424; 

fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936. 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://vvww.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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 

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

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

e-mail: Robert. Green@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. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-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 

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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 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 194 77 -78). 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the aviation authority 

for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2012-0247, 

dated November 20, 2012, a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (referred to 

hereinafter as "MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 

MCAI states: 

Low Pressure (LP) compressor partial aerofoil blade 

release events have occurred in service on RR Trent 

700 engines. While primary containment of the 

released sections has been achieved in each case, some 

of the releases did exhibit secondary effects that are 

considered to present a potential hazard. Previously, 

expeditious actions by RR have mitigated the risks 

presented by these effects, by removal from service of 

batches of LP compressor blades. However, some 

causal factors still exist that are not fully understood. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could 

lead to LP compressor blade release with possible 

consequent loss of the engine nose cowl, under cowl 

fires and forward projection of secondary debris, 

possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and/or 

injury to persons on the ground. 

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You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

RR has issued Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G702, 

dated May 23, 2011. The actions described in this service information were issued to 

understand the condition of a sample of operator blades in advance of the introduction of 

regularly scheduled ultrasonic C-scan shop visit inspections. RR subsequently issued 

NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2012. The actions described in this 

service information are intended to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil release events by 

conducting in-service ultrasonic C-scan inspections. 

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by EASA, 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 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. This proposed AD would require a 

one-time ultrasonic C-scan inspection of LP compressor blades that had accumulated 

more than 2,500 flight cycles since new. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 56 engines installed on airplanes 

of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 38 hours per engine to comply 

with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost is $0 

per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 

operators to be $180,880. 

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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. 

"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 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. 

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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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

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

Rolls-Royce pic: Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER] . 

. (b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs) 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-

60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. 

(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by low-pressure (LP) compressor blade partial airfoil 

release events. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil 

separations, engine damage, and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

Unless already done, do the following actions. 

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(1) For LP compressor blades that, on the effective date of this AD, have 

accumulated or exceeded 2,500 flight cycles (FCs) since new, or since inspection in 

accordance with RR Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G702, dated 

May 23, 2011 , or since in-shop ultrasonic inspection in accordance with the Engine 

Manual, replace each LP compressor blade (either on-wing or in-shop) with a blade 

eligible for installation, within 500 FCs after the effective date of this AD. 

(2) From the effective date of this AD, do not install on an engine any LP 

compressor blades that have been removed as required by paragraph (e)(l) ofthis AD, 

unless the LP compressor blades have passed the ultrasonic C-scan inspection in 

accordance with paragraphs 3.C. through 3.F. of the Accomplishment Instructions ofRR 

NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2012 (or original issue dated April3 , 

2012), as applicable. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 3 9.19 to make your request. 

(g) 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: 781-238-

7199; e-mail: Robert.Green@faa.gov. 

(2) European Aviation Safety Agency, AD 2012-0247, dated November 20, 2012, 

RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23 , 2011, and RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872, 

dated July 2, 2012 pertain to the subject ofthis AD. 

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

Box 31 , Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936. 

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( 4) You may view this service information at the 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. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 25, 2013. 

Colleen M. D' Alessandro, 

Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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