[4910-13-P]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0363; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-08-AD; Amendment 

39-18252; AD 2015-17-19]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. This AD was 

prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage to the fan case low-pressure (LP) fuel tube.

This AD requires inspection of the fan case LP fuel tubes and associated clips and the 

fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) mounts and associated hardware. We are issuing this AD 

to prevent failure of the fan case LP fuel tube, which could lead to an in-flight engine 

shutdown, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

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

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 

certain publications listed in this AD as of [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, DE248BJ; phone: 011–44–

1332–242424; fax: 011–44–1332–249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Web site: https://www.aeromanager.com. You may

view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
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England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0363.

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-2014-0363; 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 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:

wego.wang@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 

CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RR RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 

and 772B-60 turbofan engines. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on April 

21, 2015 (80 FR 22137). We preceded the SNPRM with a notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM) that published in the Federal Register on July 3, 2014 (79 FR 37965). The 

NPRM proposed to require inspection of the fan case LP fuel tubes and associated clips 

and the FOHE mounts and associated hardware. The NPRM was prompted by fuel leaks 

caused by damage to the fan case LP fuel tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
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of the fan case LP fuel tube, which could lead to an in-flight engine shutdown, loss of 

thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.211-

73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014; and RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-

AH837, dated September 9, 2014. This service information describes procedures for 

inspecting, and replacing if required, the fan case LP fuel tube and clips and the FOHE 

mounts and hardware. This service information is reasonably available because the 

interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or see 

ADDRESSES for other ways to access this service information.

Comments

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

received no comments on the SNPRM (80 FR 22137, April 21, 2015).

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public 

interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects about 50 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry. We also estimate that it will take about 6 hours per engine to comply with this

AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. We also estimate that 25 of the engines will 

fail the inspection required by this AD. Required parts cost about $4,031 per engine. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $126,275.

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. 
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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

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 that this AD:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under 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.
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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):

2015-17-19 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18252; Docket No. FAA-2014-0363; 

Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-08-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is 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 plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 

772B-60 turbofan engines, if fitted with fuel tube, part number (P/N) FW53576, which 

was incorporated through RR production modification 73-F343 or which were modified 

in service in accordance with RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-F343, Revision 4, 

dated May 26, 2011.

(d) Reason

This AD was prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage to the fan case lowpressure (LP) fuel tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fan case LP fuel 
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tube, which could lead to an in-flight engine shutdown, loss of thrust control, and damage 

to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

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

(1) Within 800 flight hours (FH) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter 

at intervals not to exceed 800 FH, inspect the clip at the uppermost fan case LP fuel tube 

clip position, CP4881, and support bracket, P/N FW26692. Use Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 3.A, of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 

RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014, or paragraph 3.A. or 3.B. of RR Alert 

NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014, to do the inspection.

(i) If the clip at the uppermost clip position, CP4881, fails inspection, replace the

clip with a part eligible for installation and, before further flight, inspect the fan case LP 

fuel tube, P/N FW53576, for fretting, and clips for cracks or failure, according to 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A. of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-

AH837, dated September 9, 2014, or paragraph 3.A. or 3.B. of RR Alert NMSB No. 

RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014.

(ii) If the support bracket, P/N FW26692, fails inspection, replace the bracket 

before further flight with a part eligible for installation and inspect the fan case LP fuel 

tube, P/N FW53576, and clips for cracks or failure. 

(2) Within 4,000 FH since new or 800 FH, whichever occurs later, after the 

effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 FH, inspect the 

fan case LP fuel tube, P/N FW53576, and clips, and the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) 

mounts and hardware, for damage, wear, or fretting. Use paragraph 3.A. or 3.B., 

Accomplishment Instructions, of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, 

dated July 18, 2014, to do the inspection. 
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(i) If the fan case LP fuel tube, P/N FW53576, fails inspection, before further 

flight, replace the fuel tube and clips with parts eligible for installation.

(ii) If any FOHE mount or hardware shows signs of damage, wear, or fretting,

replace the damaged part before further flight with a part eligible for installation.

(3) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD, inspect the fan case LP 

fuel tubes, P/Ns FW26589, FW36335, FW26587, FW53577, and FW53576, and clips, 

and the FOHE mounts and hardware, for damage, wear, or fretting. Use paragraphs

3.B.(1) and 3.B.(2) of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July

18, 2014, to do the inspection. 

(i) If any fan case LP fuel tube fails inspection, replace the fuel tube and clips 

before further flight with parts eligible for installation.

(ii) If any FOHE mount or hardware shows signs of damage, wear, or fretting, 

replace the damaged part before further flight with a part eligible for installation. 

(4) If you replace any fan case LP fuel tube, clip, or FOHE mount or hardware as 

a result of the inspections in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), or (e)(3) of this AD, you must still 

continue to perform the repetitive inspections in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of 

this AD.

(5) Any reports requested in the Alert NMSB accomplishment instructions 

referenced in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this AD are not required by this AD.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

If, before the effective date of this AD, you performed the inspections and 

corrective actions required by paragraph (e) of this AD using RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-

G848, Revision 3, dated June 12, 2014; or RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, 

dated September 9, 2014; or paragraph 3.A. or 3.B. of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-

AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014; or earlier versions, you met the inspection 

requirements in paragraph (e) of this AD.
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(g) Definitions

For the purposes of this AD:

(1) 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.

(2) The fan case LP fuel tubes and clips, and the FOHE mounts and hardware, are 

eligible for installation if they have passed the inspection requirements of paragraphs 

(e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this AD.

(h) 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.

(i) 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.

(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0243R1, dated 

December 10, 2014 for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket 

on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0363-

0004.

(3) RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-G848, Revision 3, dated June 12, 2014; RR Alert 

NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014; and RR Alert NMSB No. 

RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014, or earlier versions, which are not 
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incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from RR, using the contact 

information in paragraph (j)(3) of this AD.

(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.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required 

by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 

RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014.

(ii) RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014.

(3) For RR 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.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://www.aeromanager.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.

(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 

availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
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Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 20, 2015.

Colleen M. D’Alessandro,

Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.