[Docket No. FAA-2014-0462; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-06-AD] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation Turboprop and Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain RollsRoyce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100 series turboprop engines and AE 3007A and 3007C 

series turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of pitting in the 

wheel bores and subsequent RRC analysis that concluded that lower life limits are needed 

for the affected turbine wheels. This proposed AD would reduce the approved life limits 

of the affected turbine wheels. This proposed AD would also require an eddy current 

inspection (ECI) of certain RRC engines with affected turbine wheels. We are proposing 

this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the turbine wheels, damage to the engine, and 

damage to the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by [INSERT DATE 60 

DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE Federal Register]. 

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. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202-493-2251. 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Rolls-Royce 

Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-06, Indianapolis, IN 46225, 

phone: 317-230-1667; email: CMSEindyOSD@rolls-royce.com; Internet: www.rollsroyce.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. F AA-20 14-0462; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 

comments received, and other information. The street 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: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace 

Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 2300 

E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 

kyri .zaroyiannis@faa. gov. 

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Include 

Docket No. FAA-2014-0462; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-06-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 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 we receive about this 

proposed AD. 

Discussion 

Inspections during the manufacturing process revealed higher than normal pitting 

in the bore of certain turbine wheels due to a permanganate cleaning process. Analysis 

and subsequent testing by RRC of these affected turbine wheels indicated that these 

wheels, because of the potential for pitting in the wheel bores, could not be operated 

safely up to their published life limits. For RRC AE 2100 series turboprop engines, the 

affected turbine wheels are identified as 151 stage gas generator turbine wheels and as 41h 

stage turbine wheels. For the RRC AE 3007 A and 3007C series turbofan engines, the 

affected turbine wheels are identified as high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 and stage 2 

wheels. Operation of the affected wheels above the new lower limits represents an unsafe 

condition. 

We are also proposing an ECI for certain RRC AE 3007A engines with affected 

turbine wheels because our risk analysis shows that these engines are operated in a more 

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Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AE 210002-A-72-085, 

dated July 25, 2013; RRC ASB No. AE 210003-A-72-277, dated July 25, 2013; RRC 

ASB No. AE 2100P-A-72-019, dated July 25, 2013; RRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-

407, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2014; RRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-408, Revision 

1, dated August 29, 2014; and RRC ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, dated December 6. 

2013. RRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-408 provides instructions on performing an ECI of 

affected HPT stage 2 wheels. The other RRC ASBs list the lower approved life limits of 

the affected turbine wheels. 

FAA's Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and 

determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other 

products of the same type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require an ECI of certain RRC engines with affected 

turbine wheels, and reduce the life limits of the affected turbine wheels. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 664 engines installed on 

airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 hour to perform an 

ECI in the bore of the turbine wheel for affected engines. The average labor rate is $85 

per work-hour. We estimate the pro-rated replacement cost would be $30,688 for a 151 

stage gas generator turbine wheel; $63,693 for an HPT stage 1 wheel; $13,941 for an 

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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), 

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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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

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

(AD): 

Roll-Royce Corporation (Formerly Allison Engine Company): Docket 

No. FAA-2014-0462; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-06-AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE Federal Register]. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

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(1) With an installed 1 

stage gas generator turbine wheel, part number (PIN) 

23079946, 23088906, or 23089692, all serial numbers (SINs) listed in Table 2 and Table 

3 ofRRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AE 2100D2-A-72-085, dated July 25, 2013; 

and in Table 2 and Table 3 ofRRC ASB No. AE 2100D3-A-72-277, dated July 25,2013. 

(2) With an installed high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 or HPT stage 2 wheel, 

PIN 23079946, 23088906, 23088784, 23084520, 23084781, 23088817, or 23088818, all 

SINs listed in Table 1 through Table 7 of RRC ASB No. AE 3007 A-A-72-407, Revision 

1, dated August 29,2014, except those SINs excluded by Table 1, Table 2, Table 4, and 

Table 5 ofRRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-407, Revision 1, dated August 29,2014. 

(3) With an installed HPT stage 2 wheel, PIN 23084520 or 23088818, all SINs 

listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of RRC ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, dated December 6, 

2013, except those SINs excluded by Table 1 ofRRC ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, 

dated December 6, 2013. 

(4) With an installed 41h stage turbine wheel, PIN 23083536, all SINs listed in 

Table 2 ofRRC ASB No. AE 2100P-A-72-019, dated July 25,2013. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of pitting in the wheel bores and subsequent 

RRC analysis that concluded that lower life limits are needed for the affected turbine 

wheels. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the turbine wheels, 

damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Compliance 

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

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3007A-A-72-408, Revision 1, August 29,2014, to do the inspection. Do not return to 

service any wheel that fails the inspection required by this AD. 

(2) Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not return to service any 

engine that has a turbine wheel with a PIN and an SIN listed in any of the following RR 

ASBs whose wheel life exceeds the new life limits identified in the RR ASBs: 

RRC ASB No. AE 2100D2-A-72-085, dated July 25, 2013; 

RRC ASB No. AE 21 0003-A-72-277, dated July 25, 2013; 

RRC ASB No. AE 2100P-A-72-019, dated July 25, 2013; 

RRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-407, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2014; or 

RRC ASB No. AE 3007C-A-72-316, dated December 6, 2013. 

(f) Installation Prohibition 

Thirty days after the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected wheel, as 

identified in paragraph (c) of this AD, into any RRC AE 3007C2 engine. 

(g) Definition 

For the purpose of this AD, an "engine shop visit" is the induction of an engine 

into the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major mating engine 

flanges, except that the separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 

transportation without subsequent engine maintenance is not an engine shop visit. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 

for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. 

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kyri .zaroyiannis@faa. gov. 

(2) RRC ASB No. AE 2100D2-A-72-085, dated July 25, 2013; RRC ASB No. AE 

2100D3-A-72-277, dated July 25, 2013; RRC ASB No. AE 2100P-A-72-019, dated July 

25, 2013; RRC ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-407, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2014; RRC 

ASB No. AE 3007A-A-72-408, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2014; and RRC ASB No. 

AE 3007C-A-72-316, dated December 6, 2013, which are not incorporated by reference 

in this AD, can be obtained from RRC using the contact information in paragraph (i)(3) 

of this AD. 

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

Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-0 1-06, Indianapolis, IN 46225, 

phone: 317-230-1667; email: CMSEindyOSD@rolls-royce.com; Internet: www.rollsroyce. com. 

(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 September 25, 2014. 

Colleen M. D' Alessandro, 

Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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