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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 93230-93233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27660]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2538; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01211-E]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2022-24-06, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co 
KG (RRD) Model BR700-710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20, and BR700-710C4-11 
engines. AD 2022-24-06 requires initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of certain low-pressure compressor (LPC) rotor (fan) disks 
and replacement of any LPC rotor (fan) disk with cracks detected. AD 
2022-24-06 also allows for modification of the engine in accordance 
with RRD service information as a terminating action to these 
inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-24-06, the manufacturer 
published updated service information and revised the engine 
maintenance manual (EMM) to provide instructions for an improved 
ultrasonic inspection method, which prompted this AD. This proposed AD 
would require initial and repetitive visual inspections of certain LPC 
rotor (fan) disks and replacement of any LPC rotor (fan) disk with 
cracks detected and would allow modification of the engine as a 
terminating action to the inspections, as specified in a European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation 
by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 10, 2025.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2538; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact 
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 
8999 000; email: [email protected]. You may find this material on the 
EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
     You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District

[[Page 93231]]

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2538; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-01211-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th 
Street, Des Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives 
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the 
public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2022-24-06, Amendment 39-22246 (87 FR 73919, 
December 2, 2022) (AD 2022-24-06), for certain RRD Model BR700-710A1-
10, BR700-710A2-20, and BR700-710C4-11 engines. AD 2022-24-06 was 
prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2022-0110, 
dated June 15, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0110), to correct an unsafe condition 
identified as cracks on certain LPC rotor (fan) disks.
    AD 2022-24-06 requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of 
certain LPC rotor (fan) disks and replacement of any LPC rotor (fan) 
disk with cracks detected. The FAA issued AD 2022-24-06 to prevent 
failure of the LPC rotor fan or blade.

Actions Since AD 2022-24-06 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2022-24-06, EASA superseded EASA AD 2022-
0110 and issued AD 2022-0110R1, dated November 22, 2023 (EASA AD 2022-
0110R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the 
manufacturer published updated service information and revised the EMM 
to provide instructions for an improved ultrasonic inspection method 
for certain LPC rotor (fan) disks.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2538.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0110R1, which specifies procedures 
for initial and repetitive visual inspections of certain LPC rotor 
(fan) disks, and replacement of any LPC rotor (fan) disk with cracks 
detected. This material 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.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2022-
24-06. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the MCAI described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 586 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect LPC compressor rotor (fan)   4 work-hours x $85 per hour              $0            $340        $199,240
 disk.                                = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
engines that might need these replacements:

[[Page 93232]]

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace LPC compressor rotor (fan) disk....  10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $850        $470,000        $470,850
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-24-06, Amendment 39-22246 (87 
FR 73919, December 2, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2024-2538; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01211-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by January 10, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2022-24-06, Amendment 39-22246 (87 FR 73919, 
December 2, 2022) (AD 2022-24-06).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Model BR700-710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20, and BR700-710C4-11 engines as 
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0110R1, 
dated November 22, 2023 (EASA AD 2022-0110R1).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine 
Engine Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on certain low-
pressure compressor (LPC) rotor (fan) disks. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the LPC rotor fan or blade. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in high energy debris 
release, damage to the airplane, and reduced control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: 
Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified 
in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0110R1.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0110R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0110R1 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0110R1 requires compliance from ``29 June 
2022 [the effective date of the original issue of this AD],'' this 
AD requires replacing that text with ``January 6, 2023 (the 
effective date of AD 2022-24-06).''
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (7) of 
EASA AD 2022-0110R1. The actions required by paragraph 7 of EASA AD 
2022-0110R1 were included in AD 2022-26-02, Amendment 39-22280 (87 
FR 78846, December 23, 2022), and for this AD may be used for 
informational purposes.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD 
2022-0110R1.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-
0110R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of AIR-520 Continued Operational 
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0110R1, 
dated November 22, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[[Page 93233]]

    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at FAA, Airworthiness Products 
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on November 20, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-27660 Filed 11-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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