51550 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 214 / Tuesday, November 7, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2017–0816; Product 

Identifier 2017–NE–29–AD; Amendment 39– 

19093; AD 2017–22–13] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce 

plc Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211–Trent 970– 

84 and RB211–Trent 972–84 turbofan 

engines. This AD requires an inspection 

of the drains mast. This AD was 

prompted by cracks found in the 

transition duct area of the drains mast. 

We are issuing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

November 22, 2017. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of November 22, 2017. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by December 22, 2017. 

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: 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. 

For 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://customers.rollsroyce.com/public/rollsroycecare. You 

may view this service information at the 

FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards 

Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 

Burlington, MA 01803. 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–2017– 

0816. 

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–2017– 

0816; 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 AD, the mandatory 

continuing airworthiness information 

(MCAI), 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: 

Eugene Triozzi, Aerospace Engineer, 

ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 

781–238–7148; fax: 781–238–7199; 

email: Eugene.triozzi@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not precede it by notice and 

opportunity for public comment. We 

invite you to send any written relevant 

data, views, or arguments about this AD. 

Send your comments to an address 

listed under the ADDRESSES section. 

Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2017–0816; 

Product Identifier 2017–NE–29–AD’’ at 

the beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

this AD. We will consider all comments 

received by the closing date and may 

amend this 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 with FAA 

personnel concerning this 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 2017– 

0075R1, dated May 5, 2017 (referred to 

hereinafter as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

RB211 Trent 900 engines have been found 

in service with cracks in the transition duct 

area of the drains mast, which is part of the 

fire wall in Zone 1. Cracks were found on 

both pre-Mod 72–H499 drains masts, Part 

Number (P/N) FW29847, and post-Mod 72– 

H499 drains masts, P/N KH31996. This 

condition, if not detected and corrected, 

could, in combination with a fire in the 

surrounding area, lead to a breach of the fire 

wall, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled 

fire and consequent reduced control of the 

aeroplane. To address this potential unsafe 

condition, RR published Alert NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 

RB.211–71–AJ576 to provide inspection 

instructions for engines with drains mast P/ 

N KH31996 and post-Mod 80–H632 vent 

ejector installed, which have been 

determined as more susceptible to cracking. 

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–2017– 

0816. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

RR has issued Alert Non-Modification 

Service Bulletin No. RB.211–71–AJ576, 

Initial Issue, dated March 17, 2017. The 

Alert NMSB describes procedures for 

inspection, repair, and replacement of 

the drains mast. This service 

information 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 and Requirements 

of This 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. We are issuing 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 AD requires 

inspection and if necessary, 

replacement of the drains mast. 

FAA’s Determination of the Effective 

Date 

No domestic operators use this 

product. Therefore, we find that notice 

and opportunity for prior public 

comment are unnecessary and that good 

cause exists for making this amendment 

effective in less than 30 days. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects no 

engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 


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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 214 / Tuesday, November 7, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 51551 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspection ................................ 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ..................................... $10,000 $10,170 $0 

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. 

This AD is issued in accordance with 

authority delegated by the Executive 

Director, Aircraft Certification Service, 

as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. 

In accordance with that order, issuance 

of ADs is normally a function of the 

Compliance and Airworthiness 

Division, but during this transition 

period, the Executive Director has 

delegated the authority to issue ADs 

applicable to engines, propellers, and 

associated appliances to the Manager, 

Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 

Policy and Innovation Division. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that 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 this AD: 

(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), 

(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. 

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): 

2017–22–13 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 

39–19093; Docket No. FAA–2017–0816; 

Product Identifier 2017–NE–29–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective November 22, 2017. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) 

RB211–Trent 970–84 and RB211–Trent 972– 

84 turbofan engines with a drains mast, part 

number (P/N) KH31996, installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

7170, Powerplant/Engine Drains. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by cracks found in 

the transition duct area of the drains mast. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 

the drains mast, engine fire, and damage to 

the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

Within 12 months time since new (TSN) or 

within 12 months after the effective date of 

this AD, whichever occurs later, visually 

inspect the external areas of the transition 

duct area of the drains mast for a crack, as 

depicted in Figure 1 of RR Alert NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 

RB.211–71–AJ576, Initial Issue, dated March 

17, 2017. If there is a crack: 

(1) Before further flight, replace the drains 

mast with a part eligible for installation, or 

(2) Before further flight, seal the crack 

using the Accomplishment Instructions, 

paragraph 3.B. of RR Alert NMSB RB.211– 

71–AJ576, Initial Issue, dated March 17, 

2017, and within 100 flight cycles, remove 

and replace the drains mast with a part 

eligible for installation. 

(h) Definition 

(1) For the purposes of this AD, a part 

eligible for installation is a part not listed in 

this AD, or a part that has passed the 

inspection required by this AD. 

(2) For the purposes of this AD, a flight 

cycle is a take-off and landing. 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, ECO 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 certification office, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. You 

may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@

faa.gov. 

(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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Eugene Triozzi, Aerospace Engineer, 

ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 

Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238– 

7148; fax: 781–238–7199; email: 

eugene.triozzi@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2017–0075R1, 

dated May 5, 2017, 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–2017–0816. 

(k) 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. 


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51552 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 214 / Tuesday, November 7, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 

(i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert NonModification Service Bulletin RB.211–71– 

AJ576, Initial Issue, dated March 17, 2017. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(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.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_

team.jsp; Internet: https://customers.rollsroyce.com/public/rollsroycecare. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards 

Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 

MA 01803. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

781–238–7125. 

(5) You may view this service information 

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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on 

November 1, 2017. 

Karen M. Grant, 

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller 

Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2017–24156 Filed 11–6–17; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2017–0490; Product 

Identifier 2017–NE–13–AD; Amendment 39– 

19082; AD 2017–22–02] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; IPECO Pilot 

and Co-Pilot Seats 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Ipeco Holdings Ltd. (Ipeco) pilot and copilot seats. This AD requires 

modification and reidentification of the 

affected seats. This AD was prompted 

by reports of unexpected movement of 

pilot and co-pilot seats on takeoff and 

landing. We are issuing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

December 12, 2017. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of December 12, 2017. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Ipeco Holdings Ltd., Aviation Way, 

Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN, United 

Kingdom; phone: 44 1702 549371; fax: 

44 1702 540782; email: sales@

Ipeco.com. You may view this service 

information at the FAA, Engine and 

Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 

District Avenue, 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–2017– 

0490. 

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–2017– 

0490; 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 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 

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: Neil 

Doh, Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO 

Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 

Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781– 

238–7757; fax: 781–238–7199; email: 

neil.doh@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. The 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on June 16, 2017 (82 FR 27629). 

The NPRM proposed to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

Occurrences have been reported of pilot/ 

co-pilot unexpected rearward movement 

during take-off and landing. Investigations 

determined that horizontal guide block wear, 

presence of burrs on horizontal centre track, 

and horizontal track lock system weakness 

(spring tension too low) were various causes 

which contributed to the seat not being 

correctly locked. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead 

to further cases of unwanted flight crew seat 

movement, 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–2017– 

0490. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this final rule. 

The following presents the comments 

received on the NPRM and the FAA’s 

response to each comment. 

Request To Shorten Compliance Time 

The Air Line Pilots Association 

(ALPA) requested that the FAA work 

with EASA to reevaluate the compliance 

time for this AD. ALPA indicated that 

the requirements of this AD could be 

accomplished in a shorter timeframe 

that would enhance safety. 

ALPA did not provide data or a 

detailed explanation with respect to its 

request for a shorter time frame. 

Consequently, upon further review of 

the risk analysis with EASA, we 

determined the proposed time frame for 

accomplishment of this AD is 

appropriate. 

Miscellaneous Comments 

We received miscellaneous comments 

not relevant to this AD. No further 

response is required. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, 

including the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this AD 

as proposed. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

Ipeco has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 

Number 063–25–08, Revision 00; SB 

Number 063–25–09, Revision 00; and 

SB Number 063–25–10, Revision 00; all 

dated May 31, 2016. These SBs provide 

instructions, differentiated by the part 

numbers of the affected pilot and copilot seats, for the modification and 

reidentification of these seats. This 

service information 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. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects an 

unknown number of pilot and co-pilot 

seats installed on 55 airplanes of U.S. 

registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 


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