Document ID: FAA-2008-0230-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce Corporation AE 3007A1E and AE 1107C Turbofan/Turboshaft Engines
Posted Date: 2009-02-17T05:00Z

[Federal Register: February 17, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 30)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7309-7310]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe09-5]

[[Page 7309]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0230; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-24-AD;
Amendment 39-15809; AD 2009-04-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation AE 3007A1E and
AE 1107C Turbofan/Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007A1E and AE 1107C turbofan/
turboshaft engines. This AD requires removal from service of certain
2nd stage, 3rd stage, and 4th stage compressor wheels, compressor cone
shaft assemblies, and 1st to 2nd-stage turbine spacers at new, reduced,
published life limits. This AD results from RRC applying an updated
lifing methodology to the affected parts. We are issuing this AD to
prevent low-cycle-fatigue failure of the parts listed in Table 1 of
this AD, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage
to the aircraft.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 24, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Downs, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA,
2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-7870;
fax (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to RRC AE 3007A1E and AE
1107C turbofan/turboshaft engines. We published the proposed AD in the
Federal Register on June 11, 2008 (73 FR 33025). That action proposed
to require removal from service of certain 2nd stage, 3rd stage, and
4th stage compressor wheels, compressor cone shaft assemblies, and 1st
to 2nd-stage turbine spacers, at new, reduced, published life limits.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 220 AE 3007A1E turbofan
engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. The action does not
impose any additional labor costs since it will be performed at engine
overhaul. Required parts will cost about $100,000 per engine. Based on
these figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators
to be $22,000,000.

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 have 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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

2009-04-03 Rolls-Royce Corporation (Formerly Allison Engine Company,
Inc.): Amendment 39-15809. Docket No. FAA-2008-0230; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NE-24-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March
24, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007A1E
and AE 1107C turbofan/turboshaft engines, with the following parts
in Table 1 installed, as applicable:

[[Page 7310]]

                                 Table 1--Affected Parts and Reduced Life Limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  New reduced
                                                                                                published life
                Engine                             Part name                   Part No.        limit, in flight
                                                                                                    cycles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AE 3007A1E...........................  2nd Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23050752              15,200
                                       3rd Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23065303              13,300
AE 1107C.............................  2nd Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23050752              11,400
                                       2nd Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23084157              11,400
                                       3rd Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23065303               6,200
                                       3rd Stage Compressor Wheel                   23065303               5,000
                                        (serial numbers L72422, L72475,
                                        L72505, L130704, L130829,
                                        L130830, L138218, L138226,
                                        L138621, L206084, L206163).
                                       3rd Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23084158               6,200
                                       4th Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23050754              14,900
                                       4th Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23071259              14,900
                                       4th Stage Compressor Wheel.......            23084159              14,900
                                       Compressor Cone Shaft Assembly...            23050728               2,900
                                       Compressor Cone Shaft Assembly...            23070729               2,900
                                       1st to 2nd-Stage Turbine Spacer..            23065300               9,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AE 3007A1E turbofan engines are installed on, but not limited to,
EMBRAER EMB-135BJ and EMB-145XR airplanes. AE 1107C turboshaft
engines are U.S. type-certificated and are installed on, but not
limited to, certain U.S. military aircraft.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from RRC applying an updated lifing
methodology to the affected parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent
low-cycle-fatigue failure of the parts listed in Table 1 of this AD,
which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to
the aircraft.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within 5 days after the effective date of this AD,
unless the actions have already been done.
    (f) Remove from service the parts listed in Table 1 of this AD,
at the new, reduced, published life limits specified in Table 1 of
this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, has the
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AE 3007A-A-72-346,
dated May 1, 2007; Service Bulletin No. AE 1107C-A-72-086, Revision
2, dated January 28, 2008; and ASB No. AE 1107C-A-72-089, dated
January 28, 2008, also pertain to the subject of this AD. Contact
Rolls-Royce Corporation, P.O. Box 420, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0420;
telephone (317) 230-6400; fax (317) 230-4243, for a copy of this
service information.
    (i) Contact Michael Downs, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft
Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 2300 E. Devon
Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-7870; fax (847)
294-7834, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 5, 2009.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-3027 Filed 2-13-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P