Document ID: FAA-2014-0328-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2014-07-11T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40018-40019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16257]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 133 / Friday, July 11, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 40018]]

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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 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. This proposed AD was prompted 
by failure of the intermediate pressure (IP) turbine disk drive arm on 
an RR RB211 Trent turbofan engine. This proposed AD would 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. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent overspeed failure of the turbine blades or the IP turbine 
disk, which could lead to uncontained blade or disk release, damage to 
the engine, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 9, 
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 proposed AD, 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; or Web site: 
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 Operations office 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 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.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2014-0051, dated March 6, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    A Trent engine experienced an engine internal fire, caused by 
combustion of carbon deposits inside the high/intermediate (HP/IP) 
oil vent tubes. The consequent chain of events resulted in the 
failure of the IP turbine disk drive arm. Similar engine 
architecture exists on Trent 800 series engines.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to uncontained 
multiple turbine blade failures or an IP turbine disk burst, 
possibly resulting in damage to, and reduced control of, the 
aeroplane.

    This AD requires incorporating a revised EEC software standard that 
can prevent an unsafe chain of events that occur subsequent to an 
internal engine fire. The revised EEC software standard can properly 
adjust fuel flow, shut down the engine, prevent an overspeed condition, 
and indirectly extinguish the fire.
    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-2014-0328.

Relevant Service Information

    RR has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AH001, dated 
July 17, 2013. The ASB provides guidance for removal and replacement of 
the affected EEC.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed 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 and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe 
condition exists

[[Page 40019]]

and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design. This proposed AD would require modification of the engine by 
removing any EEC that incorporates EEC software standard prior to 
version B7.2 and installing an EEC eligible for installation.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 140 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 2 hours per product to comply with this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $170. 
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 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,
    (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 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 September 9, 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 on an RR RB211 Trent turbofan engine. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent overspeed failure of the turbine 
blades or the IP turbine disk, which could lead to uncontained blade 
or disk release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, within 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD, remove any electronic engine control (EEC) that 
incorporates EEC software standard prior to version B7.2 and install 
an EEC eligible for installation.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After modification of an engine as required by paragraph (e) of 
this AD, do not install an EEC that incorporates a software standard 
prior to version B7.2 onto any engine.

(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.

(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 by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0328.
    (3) RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AH001, dated July 
17, 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, 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; 
or Web site: 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 2, 2014.
Carlos A. Pestana,
Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-16257 Filed 7-10-14; 8:45 am]
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