[4910-13-P) 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0281; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-05-AD; Amendment 

39-17878; AD 2014-13-03) 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Ainvorthiness 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 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-

61 , and 560A2-61 turbofan engines. We are issuing this AD to address, through an 

update to the electronic engine control (EEC) software, multiple risks ofuncontained 

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 ofTransportation, 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 pic, Corporate 

Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; phone: 011-44- 1332-

242424; fax: 011-44- 1332- 249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://wvvw.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-2014-0281; 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 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 in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, 

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

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Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7758; fax: (781) 238-7199; 

email: mark.riley@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and \:O.'e 

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-20 14-0281; 

Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-05-AD" at the beginning of your comments. We 

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

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. 

Discussion 

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

the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2014-0086, dated 

April 11, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for 

the specified products. The MCAI states: 

Investigation carried out by RR has identified the risk of fan flutter 

during ground maintenance running, which indicated the need to 

introduce a fan flutter Keep Out Zone (KOZ). In addition, 

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following Intermediate Pressure (IP) turbine overspeed events 

experienced on other Trent series engines, the need to introduce a 

protection against IP shaft failures in the event of an internal 

engine fire was identified. 

Fan flutter may result in multiple fan blade failures and consequent 

release of uncontained high energy debris. An unprotected IP shaft 

failure may result in IP turbine overspeed, IP turbine burst and, 

ultimately, release of uncontained high energy debris. These 

conditions, if not corrected, could result in damage to, and reduced 

control of, the aeroplane. 

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

the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 

F AA-20 14-028 1. 

Relevant Service Information 

RR has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.2l l-73-AH531, Revision 1, 

dated March 7, 2014. The ASB describes procedures for modifying affected RB211 Trent 

500 turbofan engines by installing new EEC software Version L6.1.2. 

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD 

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of 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 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 AD requires removal ofEEC software, Version L5.6.1 or earlier, and 

installation of a software version eligible for installation. 

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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. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects no engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it will take about I hour per engine to comply with this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost is about $0 per engine. Based on 

these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $0. 

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. 

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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), 

(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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, w1der 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. 

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§ 39.13 [Amended) 

2. The FAA amends§ 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive 

(AD): 

2014-13-03 Rolls-Royce pic: Amendment 39-17878; Docket No. F AA-20 14-0281; 

Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-05-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 15 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 

556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines. 

(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by the risk of fan flutter occurring during ground 

maintenance running, and the risk of intermediate-pressure (IP) shaft failure which may 

result in IP turbine overspeed and disk burst. We are issuing this AD to address, through 

an update to the electronic engine control (EEC) software, multiple risks of uncontained 

engine failure and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

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

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(1) After the effective date of this AD, within 3 months or 200 flight cycles, 

whichever occurs first, modify the engine by removing EEC software, Version L5.6.1 or 

earlier. 

(2) Install EEC software eligible for installation. 

(f) Installation Prohibition 

After modification of an engine as required by paragraph (e) ofthis AD, do not 

install any EEC with a software Version L5.6.1 or earlier into any engine. 

(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. 

(h) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, 

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

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7758; fax: (781) 238-7199; 

email: mark.riley@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0086, dated April 

11,2014, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the 

Internet at http://vvww.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 

FAA-2014-0281. 

(3) RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AH531, Revision I, dated March 7, 

2014, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from RR using 

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

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(4) Rolls-Royce pic, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31 , Derby, England, 

DE248BJ; phone: 01 1-44-1332- 242424; fax: 011-44-1332- 249936; email: 

http://www.ro1ls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: 

https://wwvv.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 June 13, 2014. 

Ann C. Mollica, 

Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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