Document ID: FAA-2013-0143-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2013-04-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20505-20507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07930]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0143; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-06-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524B-02; -524B2-19; -524B3-02; -
524B4-02; -524C2-19; -524D4-19; -524D4-B-19; -524D4-39; -535C-37; -
535E4-37; -535E4-B-37, and -535E4-B-75 turbofan engines, and all RB211-
524G2-19; -524G3-19; -524H2-19; and -524H-36 turbofan engines. This 
proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of a cracked and distorted 
front combustion liner (FCL) metering panel, which was made from the 
wrong material. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of 
the FCL metering panel to determine if it was made from N75 material 
and replacing it with one made from C263 material if it was made from 
N75 material. We are proposing this AD to prevent hot gas burning 
through the engine casing, which could result in an under-cowl fire and 
damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 4, 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 plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, 
DE248BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936 or email 
from http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp, or download 
the publication from https://

[[Page 20506]]

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; 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: 
robert.green@faa.gov; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199.

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-2013-0143; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-06-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 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 2012-0215R1, 
dated January 4, 2013, to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    During investigation of a starting problem with an RB211-535E4-
B-37 engine, the Fuel Spray Nozzles (FSNs) appeared misaligned and 
the engine was removed. Further investigation found that the FSNs 
were correctly positioned but that the Front Combustion Liner (FCL) 
metering panel (reference Engine Illustrated Parts Catalogue (EIPC) 
section 72-41-13, Figure/Item 02-324) was cracked and distorted. 
Laboratory investigation revealed that the FCL metering panel was 
made of N75 material rather than the specified C263 material.
    Rolls-Royce (RR) issued SB RB.211-72-7221 in 1984, to address 
the issue of cracking of FCL metering panels manufactured in N75 
material. SB RB.211-72-7221 replaces the FCL metering panel 
manufactured in N75 material with one manufactured in C263 material. 
The FCL metering panel in so-called Phase 2 combustors of the RB211-
524G/H and RB211-535C/E4/E4-B series engines was specified in C263 
material from engine type at entry into service.
    Based on these findings, it was determined that installation of 
N75 material FCL metering panels on an engine where C263 was the 
intended material, may result in metering panel cracking and 
distortion.

    This condition, if not prevented, could result in hot gas burning 
through the engine casing, which could result in an under-cowl fire and 
damage to the airplane. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.211-72-
AG046, Revision 3, dated December 6, 2012, and Alert NMSB No. RB.211-
72-AG183, Revision 3, dated December 6, 2012.

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 and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design. This proposed AD would require a one-time 
inspection of the FCL metering panel to determine if it was made from 
N75 material, and replacing it with one made from C263 material if it 
was made from N75 material.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 315 RR turbofan 
engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 11 hours per engine to inspect the FCL metering 
panel on-wing. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts 
cost about $108,887 per engine. We anticipate that 12 FCL metering 
panels will fail inspection. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,601,169.

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); and
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and

[[Page 20507]]

    (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 AD:

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2013-0143; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NE-06-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 4, 2013.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to:
    (1) All Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524G2-19; -524G3-19; -524H2-
19; and -524H-36 turbofan engines.
    (2) RR RB211-524B-02; -524B2-19; -524B3-02; -524B4-02; -524C2-
19; -524D4-19; -524D4-B-19; and -524D4-39 that have incorporated RR 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-7221, dated December 7, 1984.
    (3) All RR RB211-535C-37; -535E4-37; -535E4-B-37, and -535E4-B-
75 turbofan engines, except those engines that have incorporated RR 
SB No. RB.211-72-C230, dated November 16, 1999, or Revision 1, dated 
November 22, 2012.
    (4) This AD does not apply to engines listed in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (c)(3):
    (i) That have installed a front combustion liner (FCL) metering 
panel delivered from RR after April 23, 2011; or
    (ii) That were inspected before the effective date of this AD 
using RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.211-
72-AF572, dated October 15, 2007, or Revision 1, dated October 8, 
2008, or Revision 2, dated April 2, 2009, or RR Repeater Technical 
Variance No. 75295, Issue 1, dated April 20, 2007.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of a cracked and distorted 
FCL metering panel, made from the wrong material. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent hot gas burning through the engine casing, which 
could result in an under-cowl fire and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) At the next engine shop visit or within 625 flight cycles, 
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time inspection of the FCL metering panel to determine if it 
was made from N75 material, and replace it if made from N75 
material, with one made from C263 material.
    (2) To inspect RB211-524 series turbofan engines, use Section 
3., Accomplishment Instructions, of Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG183, 
Revision 3, dated December 6, 2012, except reporting requirement 
paragraph 2 of Appendices 1 and 2 of that Alert NMSB.
    (3) To inspect RB211-535 series turbofan engines, use Section 
3., Accomplishment Instructions, of Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG046, 
Revision 3, dated December 6, 2012, except reporting requirement 
paragraph 2 of Appendices 1 and 2 of that Alert NMSB.

(f) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is the induction of an 
engine into the shop for maintenance or overhaul. The separation of 
engine flanges solely for the purposes of transporting the engine 
without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine 
shop visit.

(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; email: robert.green@faa.gov; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-
238 7199.
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2012-0215R1, 
dated January 4, 2013, RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG183, Revision 
3, dated December 6, 2012, and Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG046, 
Revision 3, dated December 6, 2012, for related information.
    (3) 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 
or email from http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp, or 
download the publication from 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 29, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-07930 Filed 4-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P