Document ID: FAA-2013-0397-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd and Co. KG Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2013-06-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35574-35575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14034]

 ========================================================================
 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. 78, No. 114 / Thursday, June 13, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 35574]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0397; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-15-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) model Tay 650-15 turbofan 
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by excessive deterioration of 
the high-pressure (HP) air bleed valve operating mechanism. This 
proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the HP air bleed 
valve operating mechanism and, depending on findings, corrective 
action. We are proposing this AD to prevent multiple fan blade failure, 
which could result in uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 12, 2013.

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 Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33-7086-1944; fax: 49 0 33-
7086-3276. 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; 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 regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is the 
same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: frederick.zink@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-2013-0397; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-15-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. Using the search 
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any 
of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who 
sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy 
Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 
FR 19477-78).

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0086, dated April 9, 2013, to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified products. That mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

    A review of the service history of Tay engines discovered that 
the High Pressure (HP) air bleed valve operating mechanism could be 
a subject of excessive deterioration, influencing the aerodynamics 
and stability of the Low Pressure (LP) compressor (fan) rotor.
    This condition, if not corrected, could reduce fan flutter 
margin and, in some cases, could lead to multiple fan blade 
failures, possibly resulting in an uncontained release of high 
energy debris with consequent damage to, and/or reduced control of, 
the aeroplane.

We are proposing this AD to prevent multiple fan blade failure, which 
could result in uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane. 
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    RRD has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 
TAY-75-A1784, dated February 14, 2013. The NMSB describes procedures 
for inspection of the HP air bleed valve operating mechanism and 
corrective action, if necessary.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Germany 
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 
and is likely to exist or develop on other

[[Page 35575]]

products of the same type design. This proposed AD would require a one-
time inspection of the HP air bleed valve operating mechanism and, 
depending on findings, corrective action.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 52 Tay turbofan engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 10 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $153 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $52,156.

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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Turbofan Engines (formerly 
Rolls-Royce plc): Docket No. FAA-2013-0397; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NE-15-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 12, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
model Tay 650-15 turbofan engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by excessive deterioration of the high-
pressure (HP) air bleed valve operating mechanism which affects the 
aerodynamic flutter margin, causing subsequent multiple fan blade 
failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent multiple fan blade 
failure, which could result in uncontained engine failure and damage 
to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 1,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, perform a one-time inspection of the HP air bleed valve 
operating mechanism. Use paragraphs 3.D. and 3.E. of RRD Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. TAY-75-A1784, dated 
February 14, 2013, to do your inspection.
    (2) If the measured torque necessary to open and close the HP 
air bleed valve is higher than the torque values referenced in 
paragraph 3.D.(1)(a) of RRD Alert NMSB No. TAY-75-A1784, dated 
February 14, 2013, then before next flight, accomplish paragraph 
3.E. of RRD Alert NMSB No. TAY-75-A1784, dated February 14, 2013.

(f) 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.

(g) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
frederick.zink@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2013-0086, dated April 9, 2013, and RRD Alert NMSB No. 
TAY-75-A1784, dated February 14, 2013, for related information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33-7086-1944; fax: 49 0 
33-7086-3276. 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 June 6, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14034 Filed 6-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P