DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0095; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-01-AD] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). 

[4910-13-P] 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain RollsRoyce pic (RR) RB211-524B-02, RB211-524B2-19, RB211-524B3-02, RB211-524B4-

02, RB211-524B4-D-02, RB211-524C2-19, RB211-524D4-19, RB211-524D4-39, and 

RB211-524D4X-19 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by several 

failures of affected high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades. This proposed AD would require 

removing affected HPT blades. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT 

blade, which could lead to failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, 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 by any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 

2 0 5 90-000 1. 

• 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, England, DE248BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-

242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://www.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-2015-0095; 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 proposed 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: Katheryn Malatek, Aerospace 

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

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England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: katheryn.malatek@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this 

proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. 

Include "Docket No. FAA-2015-0095; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-01-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 based on 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 proposed 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 2014-0250, dated 

November 19, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe 

condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: 

There were a number of pre-MOD/SB 72-7730 High Pressure 

Turbine (HPT) blade failures, with some occurring within a 

relatively short time. Engineering analysis carried out by RR on 

those occurrences indicates that certain pre-MOD/SB 72-7730 

blades, Part Number (PIN) UL32958 and PIN UL21691 (hereafter 

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referred to as 'affected HPT blade'), with an accumulated life of 

6500 flight hours (FH) since new or more, have an increased risk 

of in-service failure. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to HPT blade failure, 

release of debris and consequent (partial or complete) loss of 

engine power, possibly resulting in 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. 

FAA-2015-0095. 

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed 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 proposed AD would require removal of affected HPT blades. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 6 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry. We also estimate that it would take about 4 hours per engine to comply with this 

proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Pro-rated cost of required parts is 

about $250,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 

AD on U.S. operators to be $1 ,502,040. 

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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. 

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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(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. 

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): 

Rolls-Royce pic: Docket No. FAA-2015-0095; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-01-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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(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524B-02, RB211-524B2-19, 

RB211-524B3-02, RB211-524B4-02, RB211-524B4-D-02, RB211-524C2-19, RB211-

524D4-19, RB211-524D4-39, and RB211-524D4X-19 turbofan engines with highpressure turbine (HPT) blades, part numbers (PINs) UL32958 and UL21691 , installed. 

(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by several failures of affected HPT blades. We are issuing 

this AD to prevent failure of the HPT blade, which could lead to failure of one or more 

engines, 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. 

After the effective date of this AD, within 2 months or before exceeding 6,500 

flight hours since first installation ofHPT blades, PINs UL32958, and UL21691 , on an 

engine, whichever occurs later, remove all affected HPT blades from service. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 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. 

(g) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Katheryn Malatek, Aerospace 

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

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax : 781 -238-

7199; email: katheryn.malatek@faa.gov. 

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(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0250, dated 

November 19, 2014, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 

docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in 

Docket No. FAA-2015-0095 . 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 22, 2015 . 

Colleen M. D' Alessandro, 

Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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