Document ID: FAA-2014-0363-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2014-07-03T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37965-37967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15620]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0363; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-08-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 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan 
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage 
to the fan case low-pressure (LP) fuel tube. This proposed AD would 
require inspection of the fan case LP fuel tubes and associated clips 
and the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) mounts and associated hardware. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the fan case LP fuel 
tube, which could lead to an in-flight shutdown of one or more engines 
due to fuel starvation, loss of thrust control, and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 2, 
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; 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-
0363; 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-2014-0363; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-08-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 2014-0089, dated April 15, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Fuel leaks from the engine have occurred in-service due to 
damage to sections of the fan case low-pressure (LP) fuel tube which 
runs between the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) and the high 
pressure fuel pump. Frettage damage between the securing clips and 
the tube outer surface has been caused by excessive movement within 
the system that resulted from deterioration of the FOHE mounting 
hardware. The thinning of the tube wall causes the tube to fracture 
and fuel loss to occur.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
critical fuel imbalance or in-flight fuel starvation, possibly 
resulting engine in-flight shut-down and, consequently, reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive on-
wing and in-shop inspections and, depending on findings, replacement 
of fan case LP fuel tubes, clips and FOHE mounting hardware.

    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-2014-0363.

Relevant Service Information

    RR has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 
RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 1, dated March 18, 2014. The Alert NMSB 
describes procedures for on-wing and in-shop inspection and replacement 
if necessary, of the LP fuel tubes and FOHE mounts and associated 
hardware.

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 inspection of 
affected LP fuel tubes and FOHE mounts and associated hardware and, if 
necessary, replacement with a part eligible for installation.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 50 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 6 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we

[[Page 37966]]

estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $25,500.

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-2014-0363; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NE-08-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 2, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 
772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage to the fan 
case low-pressure (LP) fuel tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the fan case LP fuel tube, which could lead to an in-
flight shutdown of one or more engines due to fuel starvation, loss 
of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For engines that have 3,200 or more flight hours since new 
(FHSN) on the effective date of this AD, within 800 flight hours 
(FHs) after the effective date of this AD, accomplish an on-wing 
inspection of fan case LP fuel tubes, part number (P/N) FW53576, and 
associated clips, and the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) mounts and 
associated hardware. Use paragraph 3.A. of RR Alert Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 1, dated March 
18, 2014, to do the inspection. Thereafter, inspect at intervals not 
to exceed 4,000 FHs.
    (2) For engines that have less than 3,200 FHSN on the effective 
date of this AD, before exceeding 4,000 FHSN, accomplish an on-wing 
inspection of fan case LP fuel tubes, P/N FW53576, and associated 
clips, and the FOHE mounts and associated hardware. Use paragraph 
3.A. of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 1, dated March 
18, 2014, to do the inspection. Thereafter, inspect at intervals not 
to exceed 4,000 FHs.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, during each engine shop 
visit, inspect the fan case LP fuel tubes, P/Ns FW26589, FW36335, 
FW26587, FW535776, and FW53577, and associated clips, and the FOHE 
mounts and associated hardware. Use paragraph 3.B. of RR Alert NMSB 
No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 1, dated March 18, 2014, to do the 
inspection.
    (4) If any inspection required by paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), or 
(e)(3) of this AD fails, replace the affected part with a part 
eligible for installation.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) If, before the effective date of this AD, you performed the 
inspections and corrective actions required by paragraphs (e)(1), 
(e)(2), or (e)(3) of this AD using RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-
AH522, dated September 20, 2013, you met the initial inspection 
requirements of paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), or (e)(3) of this AD.
    (2) Any inspections and corrective actions performed before the 
effective date of this AD are not terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and 
(e)(3) of this AD.

(g) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD:
    (1) An ``engine shop visit'' is the induction of an engine into 
the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major 
mating engine flanges, except that the separation of engine flanges 
solely for the purposes of transportation without subsequent engine 
maintenance is not an engine shop visit.
    (2) The fan case LP fuel tubes and associated clips, and the 
FOHE mounts and associated hardware are eligible for installation if 
they have passed the inspection requirements of paragraphs (e)(1), 
(e)(2), and (e)(3) of this AD.

(h) 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.

(i) 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 2014-0089, 
dated April 15, 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-2014-0363.
    (3) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 1, dated March 
18, 2014, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be 
obtained from Rolls-Royce plc using the contact information in 
paragraph (i)(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; 
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.

[[Page 37967]]

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 27, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15620 Filed 7-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P