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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration

          - 14 CFR Part 39
          - [Docket No. FAA-2010-0521; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-AD]
          - RIN 2120-AA64

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

# ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

# SUMMARY:

                        We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: A number of LPT casings have been found cracked during engine shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing reduces the capability of the casing to contain debris in the event of an LPT stage 1 blade failure. Therefore, blade failure in an engine featuring a cracked LPT casing may result in release of uncontained high energy debris. For the reason described above, this AD requires repetitive inspections and corrective actions, depending on                               ( print page 27974)                            findings. We are proposing this AD to detect cracks in the LPT casings, which could result in the release of uncontained high-energy debris in the event of a stage 1 blade failure. Uncontained high-energy debris could result in damage to the airplane.                    

# DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 6, 2010.

# 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:                          Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 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.                    

Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 011 44 1332 242424; fax 011 44 1332 249936 for the service information identified in this proposed AD.

## Examining the AD Docket

                    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at                     *http://www.regulations.gov;*                     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 regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as the Mail address provided in the                     **ADDRESSES**                     section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.                

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:                         *tara.chaidez@faa.gov;*                         telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199.                    

# 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-2010-0521; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-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. Using the search function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,                     *etc.*). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the                     **Federal Register**                     published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).                

## Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0083, dated April 16, 2009 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

A number of LPT casings have been found cracked during engine shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing reduces the capability of the casing to contain debris in the event of an LPT stage 1 blade failure. Therefore, blade failure in an engine featuring a cracked LPT casing may result in release of uncontained high energy debris.

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

## Relevant Service Information

Rolls-Royce plc has issued Alert Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

## 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 United Kingdom, they have 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.

## Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 10 work-hours per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $25,000 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $258,500.

## 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); and

3. 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

      ( print page 27975)    

# List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

      - Air transportation
      - Aircraft
      - Aviation safety
      - 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 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

**Rolls-Royce plc (Formerly Rolls-Royce Limited):**                                 Docket No. FAA-2010-0521; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-AD.                            

## Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by July 6, 2010.

## Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

(b) None.

## Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211-524C2-19 and RB211-524C2-B-19 turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 747 series airplanes.

## Reason

(d) A number of low-pressure turbine (LPT) casings have been found cracked during engine shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing reduces the capability of the casing to contain debris in the event of an LPT stage 1 blade failure. Blade failure in an engine with a cracked LPT casing may result in release of uncontained high-energy debris.

We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in the LPT casings, which could result in the release of uncontained high-energy debris in the event of a stage 1 blade failure. Uncontained high energy debris could result in damage to the airplane.

## Actions and Compliance

(e) Unless already done, do the following actions:

## Initial Inspection Requirements

(1) Perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) before the life of the LPT casing has reached 4,500 cycles-since-new (CSN) or within 4,500 cycles-since-last inspection (CSLI) or within 500 cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. You can find guidance on performing the FPI in RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008.

## Repetitive Inspection Requirements

(2) Thereafter, perform an FPI at intervals not exceeding 4,500 CSLI. You can find guidance on performing the FPI in Rolls-Royce plc ASB RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008.

## Remove Parts With Cracks

(3) Remove cracked LPT casings, found using paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD, from service before further flight.

## Other FAA AD Provisions

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

## Related Information

(g) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0083, dated April 16, 2009, and Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008, for related information. Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 011 44 1332 242424; fax 011 44 1332 249936, for a copy of this service information.

                                (h) Contact Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:                                 *tara.chaidez@faa.gov;*                                 telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD.                            

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 12, 2010.

Peter A. White,

Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2010-11997 Filed 5-18-10; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P