Document ID: FAA-2012-1327-0006
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2014-05-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29694-29696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11919]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-12-
01 that applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 
772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. AD 2013-12-01 requires a one-time 
ultrasonic inspection (UI) of low-pressure (LP) compressor blades with 
more than 2,500 flight cycles since new or last inspection. Since we 
issued AD 2013-12-01, RR determined that repetitive UIs of the LP 
compressor blades are needed. This proposed AD would require initial 
and repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, 
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 22, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce 
plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44

[[Page 29695]]

(0) 1332 242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936. 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-2012-
1327; 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, 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-
7754; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: robert.green@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-2012-1327; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-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 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On June 5, 2013, we issued AD 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 
37703, June 24, 2013), (``AD 2013-12-01''), for all RR model RB211 
Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. AD 2013-12-01 
requires a one-time UI of LP compressor blades that have accumulated 
more than 2,500 flight cycles since new. AD 2013-12-01 resulted from LP 
compressor blade partial airfoil release events. We issued AD 2013-12-
01 to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, engine damage, 
and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-12-01, RR's service experience and updated 
analysis has determined the need for repetitive inspections of the LP 
compressor blades. Also since we issued AD 2013-12-01, the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued EASA AD 2014-0031, dated 
February 4, 2014, which requires repetitive inspection of the LP 
compressor blades.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-
72-AH465, dated July 15, 2013. The service information describes 
procedures for an initial UI followed by repetitive UIs of the affected 
LP compressor blades.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require an initial UI of LP compressor 
blades at 3,600 cycles since new or before further flight. For LP 
compressor blades that exceed 2,200 cycles since last inspection 
(CSLI), the AD would require a UI before exceeding 3,000 CSLI or before 
further flight. This proposed AD would also require repetitive UIs of 
the affected LP compressor blades every 2,400 CSLI thereafter.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 56 engines installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take 
about 44 hours per engine to comply with the intial inspection 
requirements in this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators to be $209,440.

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 proposed 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 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 that the 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),
    (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.

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

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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 37703, June 24, 2013), and adding 
the following new AD:

[[Page 29696]]

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NE-47-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 22, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 
37703, June 24, 2013.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-
60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, with low-pressure (LP) 
compressor blade, part numbers (P/Ns) FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, 
FW11901, FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, 
installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by LP compressor blade partial airfoil 
release events. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor 
blade airfoil separations, engine damage, and damage to the 
airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) Ultrasonic Inspection (UI) of LP Compressor Blade

    (i) After the effective date of this AD, ultrasonically inspect 
each LP compressor blade before the blade exceeds 3,600 cycles since 
new (CSN) or before further flight, whichever occurs later. Repeat 
the UI of the blade every 2,400 cycles since last inspection (CSLI).
    (ii) For any LP compressor blade that exceeds 2,200 CSLI on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the blade before exceeding 3,000 
CSLI or before further flight, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, 
perform the repetitive inspections required by this AD.
    (iii) Use paragraph 3, excluding subparagraphs 3.A.(9), 3.B.(5), 
3.C.(4), 3.D.(3), 3.E.(5), 3.F.(10), and 3.G.(7), of RR Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH465, dated July 15, 
2013, to perform the inspections required by this AD.

(2) Use of Replacement Blades

    LP compressor blades, P/Ns FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, FW11901, 
FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, that have 
accumulated at least 3,600 CSN or 2,400 CSLI are eligible for 
installation if the blade has passed the UI required by this AD.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If you performed a UI of an affected LP compressor blade before 
the effective date of this AD using RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G702, 
dated May 23, 2011; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated 
March 8, 2013, or earlier revisions; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-H311, 
dated March 8, 2013; or Engine Manual E-Trent-1RR, Task 72-31-11-
200-806, you have met the initial inspection requirements of this 
AD. However, you must still comply with the repetitive 2,400 CSLI 
requirement of this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: (781) 238-7754; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
Robert.Green@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0031, 
dated February 4, 2014, 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-2012-1327.
    (3) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH465, dated July 15, 2013, 
pertains to the subject of this AD and 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, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1332 
242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936.
    (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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 19, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-11919 Filed 5-22-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P