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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 196 (Friday, October 9, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61131-61133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25607]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1331; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbojet Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-11-
13 that applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet 
engines. Since we issued AD 2013-11-13, RR determined that additional 
parts for the RR Viper Mk. 601-22 as well as additional engine models 
are affected. This proposed AD would add two new engine models and 
additional engine parts to the applicability. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent failure of life-limited parts, which could lead to an 
uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 8, 
2015.

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.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact DA 
Services Operations Room at Rolls-Royce plc, Defense Sector Bristol, 
WH-70, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, United Kingdom; phone: +44 
(0) 117 97 90700; fax: +44 (0) 117 97 95498; email: /royce.com">royce.com">defence-operations-room@rolls-royce.com. 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. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2012-1331.

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. FAA-2012-
1331; 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 proposed AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information, regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. 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: Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: philip.haberlen@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-2012-1331; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite

[[Page 61132]]

comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy 
aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the 
closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    On May 28, 2013, we issued AD 2013-11-13, Amendment 39-17473 (78 FR 
34550, June 10, 2013) (``AD 2013-11-13''), for all RR Viper Mk. 601-22 
turbojet engines. AD 2013-11-13 requires reducing the life of certain 
critical parts. AD 2013-11-13 resulted from a review by RR of the lives 
of these parts. We issued AD 2013-11-13 to prevent failure of life-
limited parts, which could lead to an uncontained part release, damage 
to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2013-11-13 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-11-13, RR determined that additional parts 
on the Viper Mk. 601-22 engine model and the Viper Mk. 521 and Mk. 522 
engine models experienced the same unsafe condition. Also since we 
issued AD 2013-11-13, the European Aviation Safety Agency has issued AD 
2015-0127R1, dated August 14, 2015, which requires reducing the cyclic 
life limits of the affected parts.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, 
Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, 
Circulation B, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A413, 
Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A412, 
Circulation B, dated January 2015; and ASB Mk. 601-22 Number 72-A207, 
dated January 2015. The service information describes procedures for 
determining applicable part numbers and revised cyclic life limits. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This NPRM would require accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information described previously. This NPRM would add two 
engine models and additional affected parts to the applicability of AD 
2013-11-13.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect about 46 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate a prorated 
parts cost of $66,000 per engine. We also estimate that it would take 
about 4 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. 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 $3,051,640.

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 have 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 that the 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.

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

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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2013-11-13, Amendment 39-17473 (78 FR 34550, June 10, 2013) (``AD 2013-
11-13''), and adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce plc (Type Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce 
(1971) Limited, Bristol Engine Division): Docket No. FAA-2012-1331; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 8, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-11-13.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Viper Mk. 521, Viper 
Mk. 522, and Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a review by RR of the lives of certain 
critical parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of life-
limited parts, which could lead to an uncontained part release, 
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, or 
before any affected part exceeds its new revised life limit, 
whichever occurs later, remove any engine from service. Use Table 1 
of RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, 
Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 521 Number

[[Page 61133]]

72-A408, Circulation B, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-
A413, Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A412, 
Circulation B, dated January 2015; and ASB Mk. 601-22 Number 72-
A207, dated January 2015, to determine the new life limits.
    (2) For the RR Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engine, remove 
compressor shaft, part number V900766, before the compressor shaft 
accumulates 20,720 flight cycles since new.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any affected 
part identified in paragraph (e) of this AD into any engine, nor 
return any engine to service with any affected part identified in 
paragraph (e) of this AD installed, if any affected part exceeds the 
life limit specified in the appropriate ASB identified in paragraph 
(e)(1) and/or the life limit identified in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
AD.

(g) 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. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
philip.haberlen@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-
0127R1, dated August 14, 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 Docket No. FAA-
2012-1331.
    (3) RR ASB Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation A, dated January 
2015; ASB Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation B, dated January 2015; 
ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A413, Circulation A, dated January 2015; ASB 
Mk. 522 Number 72-A412, Circulation B, dated January 2015; and ASB 
Mk. 601-22 Number 72-A207, dated January 2015, can be obtained from 
RR, using the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this 
proposed AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact DA 
Services Operations Room at Rolls-Royce plc, Defense Sector Bristol, 
WH-70, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, United Kingdom; phone: 
+44 (0) 117 97 90700; fax: +44 (0) 117 97 95498; email: /royce.com">royce.com">defence-operations-room@rolls-royce.com.
    (5) 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 October 2, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-25607 Filed 10-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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