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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 95139-95141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28073]

========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 231 / Monday, December 2, 2024 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 95139]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2544; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00569-E]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2024-06-06, which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
(RRD) Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. AD 2024-06-06 
requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the 
operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-06-06, the manufacturer has revised 
the engine time limits manual (TLM) to introduce new or more 
restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds and 
intervals for life-limited parts, which prompted this AD. This proposed 
AD would require revising the ALS of the existing approved engine 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds and 
intervals for life-limited parts, as specified in a European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation 
by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 16, 2025.

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 regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2544; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact 
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 
8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
     You may view this material at the FAA, Operational Safety 
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2544; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2024-00569-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th 
Street, Des Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives 
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the 
public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2024-06-06, Amendment 39-22711 (89 FR 26755, 
April 16, 2024) (AD 2024-06-06), for all RRD Model Trent7000-72 and 
Trent7000-72C engines. AD 2024-06-06 was prompted by MCAI originated by 
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2022-0248, dated December 14, 2022 
(EASA AD 2022-0248), to address the manufacturer revising the engine 
TLM life limits to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts.
    AD 2024-06-06 requires revising the ALS of the operator's existing 
approved

[[Page 95140]]

engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
new or more restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds 
and intervals for life-limited parts. The FAA issued AD 2024-06-06 to 
prevent failure of critical rotating parts, which, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, 
and loss of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2024-06-06 was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2024-06-06, EASA has superseded EASA AD 
2022-0248 and issued EASA AD 2024-0041, dated February 9, 2024 (EASA AD 
2024-0041) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the 
manufacturer published a revised engine TLM to introduce new or more 
restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds and 
intervals for life-limited parts.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2544.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0041, which specifies revising the 
ALS of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2024-
0041. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the MCAI, described previously, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI '' and identified 
as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since 
coordinated with other manufacturers and CAAs to use this process. As a 
result, the FAA proposes to incorporate by reference EASA AD 2024-0041 
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require 
compliance with EASA AD 2024-0041 in its entirety through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are 
the same as the heading of a particular section in the EASA AD does not 
mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, 
where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions within the 
compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited 
to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in 
EASA AD 2024-0041. Service information required by the EASA AD for 
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2024-2544 after the FAA final rule is published.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0041 specifies revising the 
approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months after the 
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0248, this proposed AD would require 
revising the ALS of the existing approved engine maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 54 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS......................  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85           $4,590
                                       hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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 that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

[[Page 95141]]

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2024-06-06, Amendment 39-22711 (89 
FR 26755, April 16, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2024-2544; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00569-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by January 16, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2024-06-06, Amendment 39-22711 (89 FR 26755, 
April 16, 2024).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
(Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine 
time limits manual to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of critical 
rotating parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0041, 
dated February 9, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0041).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0041

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0041 defines the AMP as the approved 
Aircraft Maintenance Programme containing the tasks on the basis of 
which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure the 
continuing airworthiness of each operated engine, this AD defines 
the AMP as the aircraft maintenance program containing the tasks on 
the basis of which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure 
the continuing airworthiness of each operated airplane.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0041 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), 
(2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0041.
    (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0041 specifies ``Within 
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved 
AMP,'' replace that text with ``Within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) 
of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable.''
    (5) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2024-0041.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After performing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as 
specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2024-0041.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the AIR-520 Continued 
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0041, 
dated February 9, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at FAA, Operational Safety 
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-
5110.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on November 22, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28073 Filed 11-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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