Document ID: FAA-2017-0650-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2017-09-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45218-45220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20718]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0650; Product Identifier 2017-NE-19-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 
certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 875-17, RB211-Trent 877-17, 
RB211-Trent 884-17, RB211-Trent 884B-17, RB211-Trent 892-17, RB211-
Trent 892B-17, and RB211-Trent 895-17 turbofan engines. This proposed 
AD was prompted by low-pressure compressor (LPC) case A-frame hollow 
locating pins that may have reduced integrity due to incorrect heat 
treatment. This proposed AD would require replacement of the LPC case 
A-frame hollow locating pins. We are proposing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by October 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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, 
DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: 
http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 
1200 District Avenue, 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-2017-
0650; 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 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-2017-0650; 
Product Identifier 2017-NE-19-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 
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 2017-0096, dated June 1, 2017 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    All low pressure compressor (LPC) case A-frame hollow locating 
pins, Part Number (P/N) FK11612, manufactured between 01 January 
2012 and 31 May 2016, have potentially been subjected to incorrect 
heat treatment. This may have reduced the integrity of the pin such 
that in a Fan Blade Off (FBO) event it is unable to withstand the 
applied loads. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss 
of location of the A-frame following an FBO event, possibly 
resulting in engine separation, loss of thrust reverser unit, 
release of high-energy debris, or an uncontrolled fire. To address 
this potential unsafe condition, RR identified the affected engines 
that have these A-frame hollow locating pins installed and published 
Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AJ463, 
providing instructions for replacement of these pins. The NMSB was 
recently revised to correct an error in Section 1.A., where ESN 
51477 was inadvertently omitted. That ESN was correctly listed in 
Section 1.D.(1)(f) for the compliance time. For the reason described 
above, this AD requires a one-time replacement of the affected A-
frame hollow locating pins P/N FK11612. This AD also prohibits 
installation of pins that were released to service before 05 July 
2016.

    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-2017-0650.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RR has issued Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
RB.211-72-AJ463, Revision 2, dated June 28, 2017. The Alert SB 
describes procedures for replacement of all non-conforming A-frame 
locating pins. This service information is reasonably available because 
the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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

[[Page 45219]]

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 and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD 
would require replacement of all non-conforming A-frame locating pins.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 95 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-frame pin replacement...............  9.5 work-hours x $85 per         $453.00       $1,260.50     $119,747.50
                                         hour = $807.50.
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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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-2017-0650; Product Identifier 2017-
NE-19-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 30, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 875-
17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17 and 895-17 engines with 
an engine serial number (ESN) listed in Section 1.A., Effectivity, 
of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AJ463, Revision 2, dated June 28, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by low-pressure compressor (LPC) case A-
frame hollow locating pins that may have reduced integrity due to 
incorrect heat treatment. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the locating pins, engine separation and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) At the next scheduled on-wing maintenance opportunity after 
the effective date of this AD, replace each affected LPC case A-
frame hollow locating pin using Section 3, Accomplishment 
Instructions, of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AJ463, Revision 2, dated 
June 28, 2017, within the compliance times listed in Section 
1.D.(1), Planning Information, except for those listed in Sections 
1.D.(1)(a) and (b) that have a compliance requirement of November 
13, 2017.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, at the next engine shop 
visit, replace each affected LPC case A-frame hollow locating pin, 
part number (P/N) FK11612, with a part eligible for installation, 
using Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions, of RR Alert NMSB 
RB.211-72-AJ463, Revision 2, dated June 28, 2017.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any engine 
with an affected LPC case A-frame hollow locating pin, P/N FK11612, 
unless the pin is eligible for installation.

(i) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD:
    (1) An affected part is an LPC case A-frame hollow locating pin, 
P/N FK11612, except those with an original RR authorized release 
certificate dated July 5, 2016, or later.
    (2) A part eligible for installation is an LPC case A-frame 
hollow locating pin, P/N FK11612, with an original RR authorized 
release certificate dated July 5, 2016, or later.

[[Page 45220]]

    (3) An engine shop visit is when the engine is subject to a 
serviceability check and repair, rebuild, or overhaul.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
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 2017-0096, 
dated June 1, 2017, 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-2017-0650.
    (3) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin 
RB.211-72-AJ463, Revision 2, dated June 28, 2017, can be obtained 
from RR plc, using the contact information in paragraph (k)(4) of 
this proposed AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed 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; Internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 22, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20718 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
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