Document ID: FAA-2012-1327-0011
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2016-11-01T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75762-75764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26334]

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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).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-16-

[[Page 75763]]

10 that applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 
and 772B-60 turbofan engines. AD 2014-16-10 requires initial and 
repetitive ultrasonic inspections (UIs) of the affected low-pressure 
(LP) compressor blades. Since we issued AD 2014-16-10, RR issued 
revised service information to reduce the inspection threshold. This 
proposed AD would retain the UIs in AD 2014-16-10 while applying the 
revised inspection threshold. 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 December 16, 
2016.

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 NPRM, contact Rolls-
Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 0 1332 242424; 
fax: 44 0 1332 249936. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 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-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, 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, 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 NPRM. 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 NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    On August 1, 2014, we issued AD 2014-16-10, Amendment 39-17934 (79 
FR 48961, August 19, 2014), (``AD 2014-16-10'') for all RR RB211 Trent 
768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. AD 2014-16-10 requires 
initial and repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades. AD 
2014-16-10 resulted from LP compressor blade partial airfoil blade 
release events. We issued AD 2014-16-10 to prevent LP compressor blade 
airfoil separations, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2014-16-10 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2014-16-10, RR issued Alert Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 2, dated May 11, 
2016. The Alert NMSB reduced the inspection threshold for UI of the LP 
compressor blades. Also since we issued AD 2014-16-10, the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a correction to AD 2016-0141, 
dated July 20, 2016, requiring the revised inspection threshold.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RR has issued Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 2, dated May 11, 
2016. The NMSB describes procedures for performing a UI of the LP 
compressor blades. 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

    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 initial and repetitive UIs of the 
affected LP compressor blades. This proposed AD would require 
conducting the UIs at a reduced inspection threshold.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 56 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
40 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $190,400.

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 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:

[[Page 75764]]

    (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) 
2014-16-10, Amendment 39-17934 (79 FR 48961, August 19, 2014), and 
adding the following new AD:

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

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 16, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-16-10, Amendment 39-17934 (79 FR 
48961, August 19, 2014).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-
60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, with low-pressure (LP) compressor 
blade, part number (P/N) 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, damage to the engine, and damage to the 
airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Ultrasonic Inspection (UI) of LP Compressor Blade
    (i) After the effective date of this AD, for LP compressor 
blades that have accumulated less than 1,800 cycles since new (CSN) 
or cycles since last inspection (CSLI), perform a UI of each LP 
compressor blade before the blade exceeds 2,400 CSN or CSLI. Repeat 
the UI of the blade before exceeding 2,400 CSLI.
    (ii) For any LP compressor blade that exceeds 1,800 CSN on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the blade before exceeding 600 
flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or before 
exceeding 3,600 CSN, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, perform the 
repetitive inspections before exceeding 2,400 CSLI.
    (iii) For any blade that exceeds 2,200 CSLI on September 23, 
2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-16-10), inspect the blade before 
exceeding 3,000 CSLI or before further flight, whichever occurs 
later. Thereafter, perform the repetitive inspections before 
exceeding 2,400 CSLI.
    (iv) Use paragraph 3, excluding subparagraphs 3.C.(2)(b), 
3.D.(2) and 3.G, of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
(NMSB) RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 2, dated May 11, 2016, to perform 
the inspections required by this AD.
    (2) Use of Replacement Blades
    (i) After the effective date of this AD, LP compressor blade, P/
N FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, FW11901, FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, 
FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, that has accumulated at least 2,400 
CSN or CSLI is eligible for installation if the blade has passed the 
UI required by this AD.
    (ii) Reserved.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the UI required by paragraph (e) of this 
AD, if you performed the UI 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 
the Engine Manual E-Trent-1RR, Task 72-31-11-200-806.

(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. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 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 2016-0141, 
dated July 20, 2016, 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 RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 2, dated May 11, 
2016, can be obtained from RR, 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, 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 October 26, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-26334 Filed 10-31-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P