[4910-13-P] 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1334; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-49-AD; Amendment 

39-17324; AD 2013-02-03] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. 

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

pic (RR) RB211-Trent 970-84, 970B-84, 972-84, 972B-84, 977-84, 977B-84, and 980-84 

turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement of the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE). 

This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight increase ofN2 intermediate pressure 

rotor vibrations resulting in an engine surge and pilot shut down ofthe engine. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent rotor bearing oil starvation, uncontained engine failure, and 

damage to the airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective [INSERT 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 W12-140, 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 plc, Corporate 

Communications, P.O. Box 31 , Derby, DE248BJ, United Kingdom; 

phone: 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936, or email: 

http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp. 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, call781-238-7125. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://\Vww.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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 

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

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 

robert.green(a),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 mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) EASA AD 2012-0260, dated December 11 , 2012, to 

conect an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: 

During a revenue service flight, a Trent 900 engine 

experienced increased N2 intermediate pressure (IP) 

vibrations, followed by an engine surge. The pilot shut 

down the engine, the aeroplane canied out an air turnback, and a 3-engine landing was successfully 

performed. Subsequent investigation results revealed 

the presence of oil by-pass seal material from the 

Fuel-to-Oil Heat Exchanger (FOHE) in the restrictor 

hole of the Tail Bearing Housing (TBH) cover plate. 

The blocked restrictor hole caused oil starvation to the 

low pressure (LP) and IP location bearings. 

This condition, if not detected and conected, could 

lead to LP location bearing damage, possibly resulting 

in uncontained engine failure and consequent damage 

to the aeroplane. 

The oil baffle seals in FOHE, part number 47111-1241 , become damaged with use and 

loose seal material can block the restrictor hole. You may obtain further information by 

examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 

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Relevant Service Information 

RR has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-79-AH031 , dated 

October 25, 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 the United Kingdom 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. 

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. Accordingly, this AD is effective 

upon publication. 

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-2012-1334; 

Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-49-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 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. 

"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. 

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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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2013-02-03 Rolls-Royce pic: Amendment 39-17324; Docket No. FAA-2012-1334; 

Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-49-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective [INSERT DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 970-84, 970B-84, 972-84, 

972B-84, 977-84, 977B-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines with a fuel oil heat exchanger 

(FOHE), part number 47111-1241, installed. 

(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight increase ofN2 intermediate 

pressure rotor vibrations resulting in an engine surge and pilot shut down of the engine. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent rotor bearing oil starvation, uncontained engine failure, 

and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

Unless already done, do the following actions. 

(1) For engines installed on the effective date ofthis AD, replace the FOHE 

within 500 engine hours (EHs) from the effective date of this AD, or before exceeding 

5,000 EHs time since new (TSN) or time since overhaul (TSO), whichever occurs later. 

(2) For engines in the shop on the effective date of this AD, do not approve the 

engine for return to service if the FOHE has 5,000 or more EHs TSN or TSO. 

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(3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a FOHE on any engine, or 

any engine on any airplane, unless the FOHE has fewer than 5,000 EHs TSN or TSO. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

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

the procedures found in I4 CFR 3 9.19 to make your request. 

(g) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, I2 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA OI803; phone: 78I-238 7754; fax: 

78I-238-7I99; email: robeti.green@faa .gov. 

(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 20 I2-

0260, dated December II, 20I2, and Rolls-Royce plc Alert Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin RB.2II-79-AH03I, dated October 25, 20 I2, for related information. 

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

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 3I , Derby, DE248BJ, United Kingdom; phone: 

44 (0) 1332 242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936; or email: 

http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_ team.j sp. 

( 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. 

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

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Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 14, 2013 . 

Thomas Boudreau, 

Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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