[4910-13-P] 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0328; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-07-AD; Amendment 

39-18108; AD 2015-04-06] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce 

pic (RR) RB211 Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 

turbofan engines. This AD requires modification ofthe engine by installing upgraded 

software in the electronic engine control (EEC) or by removing any EEC that 

incorporates a software standard prior to B7.2 and installing an EEC eligible for 

installation. This AD was prompted by failure of the intermediate pressure (IP) turbine 

disk drive arm and subsequent overspeed and burst of the IP turbine disk on an RR 

RB211 Trent turbofan engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent overspeed of the IP 

turbine disk, re.sulting in failure of the turbine blades or the IP turbine disk and 

subsequent uncontained release of the turbine disk and/or blades, which could lead to 

damage to the engine and damage to the airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, 

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31 , Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-

1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce.corn/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://www.aeromanager.com. 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. 

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-2014-0328; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 

information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 

information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document 

Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 

' West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, 

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

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7134; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 

we go. wang@faa. gov. 

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 

adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The NPRM was published in 

the Federal Register on July 11 , 2014 (79 FR 400 18). The NPRM proposed to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: 

A Trent engine experienced an engine internal fire, caused by 

combustion of carbon deposits inside the high/intermediate 

(HP/IP) oil vent tubes. The consequent chain of events resulted in 

the failure of the IP turbine disk drive arm. Similar engine 

architecture exists on Trent 800 series engines. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to uncontained multiple 

turbine blade failures or an IP turbine disk burst, possibly resulting 

in damage to, and reduced control of, the aeroplane. 

Prompted by these findings, an Intermediate Pressure Turbine 

Overspeed System (IPTOS) protection scheme has been developed 

for Trent 800 engines installed on Boeing 777 aeroplanes. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires introduction of 

the IPTOS protection function by installation of a new software 

standard (B7.2) in the engine electronic controller (EEC), which 

will protect against IP turbine overspeed when IP shaft failure is 

detected. 

Since we issued the NPRM (79 FR 40018, July 11 , 2014 ), we issued a 

supplemental NPRM (79 FR 70475, November 26, 2014) to amend the costs of 

compliance and to more clearly state certain compliance requirements. Since we issued 

the supplemental NPRM, we changed paragraph (e) of this AD for clarity. 

Comments 

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

considered the comments received. 

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Request to Modify the Installation Prohibition Paragraph 

American Airlines (AA) requested that we modify the Installation Prohibition 

paragraph (f) to allow installation of an EEC with a software standard earlier than B7 .2, 

and coincident on-wing upgrade of the software standard to B7.2 or later, but prohibit 

operation of an engine that incorporates a software standard earlier than B7 .2. AA states 

that the EEC original equipment manufacturer does not update the software as part of a 

component shop visit. 

We agree. We modified the Installation Prohibition paragraph (f) to allow 

installation of an EEC with a software standard earlier than B7.2, but to prohibit 

operation of an engine with a software standard earlier than B7 .2. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined 

that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 

previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on 

any operator or increase the scope of this AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD affects about 140 engines installed on 

airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 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 $23,800. 

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. 

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"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 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: 

(I) 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. 

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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 airworthiness directive 

(AD): 

2015-04-06 Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines: Amendment 39-181 08; Docket No. 

F AA-20 14-0328; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-07-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce pic (RR) RB211 Trent 87 5-17, 877-17, 884-

17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. 

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(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by failure of the intermediate pressure (IP) turbine disk 

drive arm and subsequent overspeed and burst of the IP turbine disk on an RR RB211 

Trent turbofan engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent overspeed of the IP turbine 

disk, resulting in failure of the turbine blades or the IP turbine disk and subsequent 

uncontained release ofthe turbine disk and/or blades, which could lead to damage to the 

engine and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

Twelve months after the effective date of this AD, do not operate any engine with 

an electronic engine control (EEC) software standard earlier than B7.2. 

(f) Installation Prohibition 

After removing any software standard earlier than B7.2 from an ECC on any 

engine, do not operate that engine with any software standard earlier than B7.2. 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs to 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 Wego Wang, Aerospace 

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

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803 ; phone: 781-238-7134; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: wego.wang@faa.gov . 

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(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0051, dated 

March 6, 2014, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on 

the Internet at http :1 /www .regulations. gov /#! documentDetail ;D= FAA-20 14-03 2 8-0003. 

(3) RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AH001 , dated July 17, 2013 , which 

is not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from Rolls-Royce pic, using 

the contact information in paragraph (h)( 4) of this AD. 

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

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31 , Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-

1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; or Internet: https://www.aeromanager.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. 

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 19, 2015. 

Colleen M. D' Alessandro, 

Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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