Document ID: FAA-2014-0328-0005
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2014-11-26T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70475-70476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27929]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0328; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-07-AD
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive 
(AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 
884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. The NPRM 
proposed to require modification of the engine by removing any 
electronic engine control (EEC) that incorporates EEC software standard 
prior to version B7.2 and installing an EEC eligible for installation. 
The NPRM was prompted by failure of the intermediate pressure (IP) 
turbine disk drive arm and subsequent overspeed and burst of the IP 
turbine disk on an RR RB211 Trent turbofan engine. This action revises 
the NPRM by clarifying the costs of compliance, by clarifying that 
correction of the unsafe condition can be achieved either by installing 
upgraded software in the EEC or by installing an EEC with upgraded 
software incorporated, and by clarifying the installation prohibition 
statement. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to prevent 
overspeed of the IP turbine disk, resulting in failure of the turbine 
blades or the IP turbine disk and subsequent uncontained release of the 
disk and/or turbine blades, which could lead to damage to the engine 
and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments by December 10, 2014.

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.
    For service information identified in this SNPRM, 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.rolls-royce.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-2014-
0328; 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 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: 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:

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-2014-0328; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-07-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this SNPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
SNPRM 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 SNPRM.

Discussion

    We issued an 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 July 11, 2014 (79 FR 40018). The NPRM proposed to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products.

Actions Since Previous NPRM Was Issued

    Since we issued the NPRM (79 FR 40018, July 11, 2014), we found 
that we included a cost for parts in the Costs of Compliance paragraph. 
As this proposed AD requires an upgrade to EEC software, there are no 
associated parts costs. We changed the Costs of Compliance paragraph in 
this proposed AD by removing the reference to parts costs.
    We changed paragraph (e) of this proposed AD to more clearly state 
the requirement to modify affected engines either by installing 
upgraded software in the EEC, or by installing an EEC with upgraded 
software incorporated.

[[Page 70476]]

    We changed paragraph (f) of this proposed AD to more clearly 
prohibit installation of an EEC that incorporates a software standard 
earlier than Version B7.2 into any engine, and also prohibit 
installation of any software standard earlier than Version B7.2 into 
any EEC.

Comments

    We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 40018, July 11, 2014).

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this SNPRM because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. 
Certain changes described above expand the scope of the NPRM (79 FR 
40018, July 11, 2014). As a result, we have determined that it is 
necessary to reopen the comment period to provide additional 
opportunity for the public to comment on this SNPRM.

Proposed Requirements of This SNPRM

    This SNPRM would require accomplishing the actions specified in the 
NPRM, except as discussed under ``Actions Since Previous NPRM was 
Issued.''

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects about 140 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 2 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $23,800.

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 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 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2014-0328; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NE-07-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 10, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 875-17, 
877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan 
engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by failure of the intermediate pressure 
(IP) turbine disk drive arm and subsequent overspeed and burst of 
the IP turbine disk on an RR RB211 Trent turbofan engine. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent overspeed of the IP turbine disk, 
resulting in failure of the turbine blades or the IP turbine disk 
and subsequent uncontained release of the disk and/or turbine 
blades, which could lead to damage to the engine and damage to the 
airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    (1) Unless already done, within 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD, modify the engine by removing electronic engine 
control (EEC) software earlier than Version B7.2.
    (2) Install EEC software eligible for installation.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After modification of an engine as required by paragraph (e) of 
this AD, do not install any EEC that incorporates a software 
standard earlier than Version B7.2 into any engine, or install any 
software standard earlier than Version B7.2 into any EEC.

(g) 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.

(h) 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 2014-0051, 
dated March 6, 2014, for more information. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0328-0003.
    (3) RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AH001, dated July 
17, 2013, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be 
obtained from Rolls-Royce plc, using the contact information in 
paragraph (h)(4) of this AD.
    (4) 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.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; or 
Internet: https://www.aeromanager.com.
    (5) 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.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 18, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27929 Filed 11-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P