[4910-13-P] 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1350; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-40-AD; Amendment 

39-17313; AD 2012-27-01] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain RollsRoyce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Tay 620-15 turbofan engines. This AD 

requires a one-time inspection of the low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades and if 

erosion is found their replacement before further flight. This AD was prompted by 

evidence of excessive leading edge erosion of the LPC fan blades on certain Tay 620-15 

engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPC fan blade, which could 

result in uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective [Insert date 15 days after date of publication in the 

FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

We must receive comments on this AD by [Insert date 45 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://www.regulations.gov and follow the 

instructions for sending your comments electronically. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 

Building Ground Floor, Room Wl2-140, 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 AD, contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland 

Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11 , Dahlewitz, 15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; 

phone: 49 0 33-7086-1883; fax: 49 0 33-7086-3276. 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 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; 

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 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. 

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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 

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for 

the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Emergency 

Airworthiness Directive 2012-0234, dated November 6, 2012 (referred to after this as 

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

states: 

The Low Pressure Compressor (LPC) (fan) blades of certain Tay 

620115/20 and Tay 620-15 engines show evidence of excessive 

leading edge erosion. Excessive material removal during the 

maintenance reduces the LPC (fan) blade chordal width and 

potentially changes the balance of the fan blade. Reduced chordal 

width can affect LPC (fan) blade performance and in combination 

with other circumstances could lead to a fan blade root failure and 

fan blade separation. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the LPC 

(fan) blade failure, potentially causing release of high-energy 

debris, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and/or injury 

to the occupants. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent failure ofthe LPC fan blade, which could result in 

uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane. You may obtain further 

information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 

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Relevant Service Information 

RRD has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin TA Y-72-A1777, dated 

October 26, 2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to 

correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. 

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD 

This product has been approved by Germany 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 issuing 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 AD requires a one-time inspection of the 

LPC fan blades and if erosion is found their replacement before further flight. 

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date 

No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that notice and 

opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and 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 precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send 

any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an 

address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2012-1350; 

Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-40-AD" at the beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and 

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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 with FAA personnel 

concerning this 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 19477-78). 

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 44 701: 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. 

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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); 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 

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 

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: 

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2012-27-01 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Formerly Rolls-Royce pic, 

Derby, England): Amendment 39-17313; Docket No. FAA-2012-1350; Directorate 

Identifier 2012-NE-40-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective [Insert date 15 days after 

date of publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Tay 620-15 

turbofan engines, serial numbers 17085, 17088, 17166, 17072, 17073, 17078, and 17079. 

(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by evidence of excessive leading edge erosion of the lowpressure compressor (LPC) fan blades on certain Tay 620-15 engines. We are issuing this 

AD to prevent failure ofthe LPC fan blade, which could result in uncontained engine 

failure and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

Unless already done, do the following. 

(1) Before the next flight after the effective date of the AD, inspect the leading 

edge of the LPC fan blades and determine if excessive erosion is evident. Guidance on 

conducting the inspection can be found in RRD Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

(NMSB) TA Y-72-A1777, dated October 26, 2012. 

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(2) If the measured blade chordal width is outside the requirements, before the 

next flight, replace the complete set of LPC fan blades with a set of LPC fan blades 

eligible for installation. 

(3) Within 30 days after performing the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of 

this AD, provide, for all repaired blades, the actual chordal width measurement to RRD, 

Service Engineering. 

(t) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement 

For any reporting requirement in this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or 

sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 

penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements 

of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current 

valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 

2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be 

approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 

completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection 

of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy ofthis burden and 

suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence 

Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591 , Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES200. 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use 

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

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(h) 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; e-mail: frederick.zink@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD 2012-0234, dated 

November 6, 2012 and RRD AlertNMSB TAY-72-A1777. 

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

Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, 

Germany; telephone: 49 0 33-7086-1883; fax: 49 0 33-7086-3276. 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. 

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 27, 2012. 

Colleen M. D' Alessandro, 

Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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