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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 240 (Thursday, December 13, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74123-74125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30065]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1167; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-36-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) models Tay 620-15 and 
Tay 650-15 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by RRD 
recalculating the Declared Safe Cyclic Life (DSCL) for certain low-
pressure compressor (LPC) rotor disc assemblies operating to the Plan D 
Flight Mission. This proposed AD would require removing the affected 
LPC rotor disc assemblies at a new lower recalculated DSCL. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the LPC rotor disc assembly, 
uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 11, 
2013.

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 and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     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.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11-15827 Dahlewitz, 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 0 33-7086-1944; 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 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.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: 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:

[[Page 74124]]

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-2012-1167; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-36-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 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 19477-78).

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the aviation 
authority for the Member States of the European Community, has issued 
EASA AD 2012-0204, dated October 1, 2012 (referred to hereinafter as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    The Tay 650-15 and Tay 650-15/10 engine Time Limits Manual 
Chapter 05-10-01 contains maximum approved life limitations, 
identified as Declared Safe Cyclic Life (DSCL) for Low Pressure 
Compressor (LPC) rotor disc assemblies Part Number (P/N) JR31198A 
and P/N JR34563A operated to the Plan D Flight Mission, which has 
been recalculated to a lower value.
    Decreased DSCL of LPC rotor disc assemblies P/N JR31198A and P/N 
JR34563A may affect these disc assemblies installed in Tay 650-15 
and Tay 650-15/10 engines as well as in Tay 620-15 and Tay 620-15/20 
engines.
    Failure to take decreased DSCL of affected LPC rotor disc 
assemblies into account could lead to affected part failure and 
consequent release of high energy debris potentially resulting in 
damage to, and/or reduced control of, the aeroplane.

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

Relevant Service Information

    RRD has issued Alert Service Bulletin TAY-72-A1772 dated August 9, 
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 Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of 
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 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 requires removing the affected 
LPC rotor disc assemblies at the new lower recalculated DSCL.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 4 engines installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would require 4 
hours to perform the actions required by this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Prorated life for the disc assembly is 
approximately $650 per disc. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $3,960.

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 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.

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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) (formerly Rolls-Royce 
plc): Docket No. FAA-2012-1167; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-36-
AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 11, 2013.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
models Tay 620-15 and Tay 650-15 turbofan engines with a low-
pressure compressor (LPC) rotor disc assembly, part number (P/N) 
JR31198A or P/N JR34563A installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by RRD recalculating the Declared Safe 
Cyclic Life for certain LPC rotor disc assemblies operating to the 
Plan D Flight Mission. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the LPC rotor disc assembly, uncontained engine failure, and loss of 
the airplane.

[[Page 74125]]

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following. For engines that have 
operated to the Plan D Flight Mission configuration, remove the LPC 
rotor disc assembly from service before accumulating 18,700 engine 
flight cycles. Do not return to service nor approve for return to 
service any engine with the affected discs installed that exceeds 
18,700 engine flight cycles.

(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 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; email: Frederick.zink@faa.gov; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-
238-7199.
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2012-0204, dated 
October 1, 2012, and RRD Alert Service Bulletin TAY-72-A1772, dated 
August 9, 2012, for related information.
    (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 33-7086-1944; fax: +49 0 
33-7086-3276.
    (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 December 6, 2012.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-30065 Filed 12-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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