Document ID: FAA-2009-1004-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 800 Series Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2010-01-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register: January 5, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 2)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 264-266]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05ja10-17]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1004; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-36-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 800 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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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:

    During 2004, an incident was reported involving uncontained 
multiple intermediate-pressure (IP) turbine blade release on a Trent 
700 engine. The blade release was the result of an overspeed of the 
IP turbine rotor that was initiated by an internal fire in the high-
pressure/intermediate-pressure (HP/IP) bearing chamber. Post-
incident analysis and investigation has established that blockage of 
the HP/IP turbine bearing oil vent tube due

[[Page 265]]

to carbon deposits was a significant factor in the failure sequence. 
The Trent 800 has a similar type design standard to that of the 
Trent 700 and has also been found in service to be susceptible to 
carbon deposits in the oil vent tube.

We are proposing this AD to prevent internal oil fires due to coking 
and carbon buildup in the HP/IP turbine bearing oil vent tube that 
could cause uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 4, 
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, England; telephone: 
011-44-1332-249428; fax: 011-44-1332-249223, 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: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176; 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-2009-1004; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-36-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, notified us that 
an unsafe condition may exist on Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 800 series 
turbofan engines. The MCAI states:

    During 2004, an incident was reported involving uncontained 
multiple IP turbine blade release on a Trent 700 engine. The blade 
release was the result of an overspeed of the IP turbine rotor that 
was initiated by an internal fire in the HP/IP bearing chamber. 
Post-incident analysis and investigation has established that 
blockage of the HP/IP turbine bearing oil vent tube due to carbon 
deposits was a significant factor in the failure sequence. The Trent 
800 has a similar type design standard to that of the Trent 700 and 
has also been found in service to be susceptible to carbon deposits 
in the oil vent tube.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Rolls-Royce plc has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-
72-AE362, Revision 1, dated April 3, 2009. 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 (U.K.) and is approved for operation in the United 
States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the U.K., EASA has 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. 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 inspection of the HP/IP turbine vent tube and bearing 
chamber during each shop visit of the engine for coking and carbon 
buildup in the HP/IP turbine bearing oil vent tube.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 138 RB211 Trent 800 series turbofan engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about one work-hour per engine to comply with this proposed AD. 
The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $2,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $287,040.

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;

[[Page 266]]

    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.

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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2009-1004; Directorate Identifier 
2009-NE-36-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by February 4, 2010.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 875-17, Trent 
877-17, Trent 884-17, Trent 884B-17, Trent 892-17, Trent 892B-17, 
and Trent 895-17 turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, 
but not limited to, Boeing 777 series airplanes.

Reason

    (d) During 2004, an incident was reported involving uncontained 
multiple intermediate-pressure (IP) turbine blade release on a Trent 
700 engine. The blade release was the result of an overspeed of the 
IP turbine rotor that was initiated by an internal fire in the high-
pressure/intermediate-pressure (HP/IP) bearing chamber. Post-
incident analysis and investigation has established that blockage of 
the HP/IP turbine bearing oil vent tube due to carbon deposits was a 
significant factor in the failure sequence. The Trent 800 has a 
similar type design standard to that of the Trent 700 and has also 
been found in service to be susceptible to carbon deposits in the 
oil vent tube.
    This 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. We are issuing this AD to prevent internal oil fires due to 
coking and carbon buildup in the HP/IP turbine bearing oil vent tube 
that could cause uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
airplane.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD and thereafter at each engine shop visit, using the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service 
Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AE362, Revision 1, dated April 3, 2009:
    (i) Inspect the HP/IP turbine bearing internal and external oil 
vent tubes and bearing chamber for carbon buildup.
    (ii) Clean and flush the tubes and bearing chamber as required.
    (iii) Reject any oil vent tubes that do not meet inspection 
requirements after cleaning.
    (2) This AD does not require reporting of inspection results, as 
does paragraphs 3.B.(4)(g) and 3.C.(9) of Rolls-Royce plc Alert 
Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AE362, Revision 1, dated April 3, 
2009.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) None.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) 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

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2009-0071 
(corrected April 14, 2009), and Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service 
Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AE362, Revision 1, dated April 3, 2009, for 
related information. Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
England; telephone: 011-44-1332-249428; fax: 011-44-1332-249223, for 
a copy of this service information.
    (i) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
james.lawrence@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 29, 2009.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-31275 Filed 1-4-10; 8:45 am]

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