Document ID: FAA-2014-0904-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2014-12-02T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71363-71364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28339]

 ========================================================================
 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. 79, No. 231 / Tuesday, December 2, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 71363]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0904; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-14-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 all 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 turbofan engines with certain part 
number (P/N) low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 3 turbine blades 
installed. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of LPT stage 3 
turbine blade failures, release of blades, and subsequent in-flight 
shutdowns. This proposed AD would require implementation of a life 
limit for certain P/N LPT stage 3 turbine blades and replacement of 
affected blades that reach or exceed the life limit. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent failure of LPT stage 3 turbine blades and subsequent 
release of blade debris, which could lead to failure of one or more 
engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 2, 
2015.

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 NPRM, 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://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-
0904; 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: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: kenneth.steeves@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-2014-0904; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-14-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 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2014-0210, dated September 19, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Since 2006, a number of low pressure turbine (LPT) Stage 3 blade 
failures have been reported, each resulting in engine in-flight 
shut-down. Engineering analysis on those occurrences indicates that 
blades with an accumulated life of 11,000 flight cycles (FC) or more 
have an increased risk of failure.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
release of LPT Stage 3 blade debris and consequent (partial or 
complete) loss of engine power, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.

    This proposed AD would require implementation of a life limit for 
certain P/N LPT stage 3 turbine blades and replacement of affected 
blades that reach or exceed the life limit due to analysis that 
indicates increased risk of failure of blades with an accumulated life 
of 11,000 FC or more.
    We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of LPT stage 3 turbine 
blades and subsequent release of blade debris, which could lead to 
failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to 
the airplane.
    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-2014-0904.

Relevant Service Information

    RR has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 
RB.211-72-AH790, Revision 1, dated November 5, 2014. The Alert NMSB 
describes procedures for removing from service certain LPT stage 3 
turbine blades.

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

[[Page 71364]]

MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this 
NPRM 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 implementation of a life limit for certain P/N LPT stage 
3 turbine blades and replacement of affected blades that reach or 
exceed the life limit.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 2 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
120 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 $20,400.

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 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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2014-0904; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NE-14-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 2, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524B-02, 
RB211-524B-B-02, RB211-524B2-19, RB211-524B2-B-19, RB211-524B3-02, 
RB211-524C2-19, and RB211-524C2-B-19 turbofan engines with low-
pressure turbine (LPT) stage 3 turbine blade, part number (P/N) 
LK55386, LK86483, or LK86503, installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of LPT stage 3 turbine blade 
failure, release of blades, and subsequent in-flight shutdown. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of LPT stage 3 turbine blades 
and subsequent release of blade debris, which could lead to failure 
of one or more engines, 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) Remove from service before further flight any LPT stage 3 
turbine blade, P/N LK55386, LK86483, or LK86503, that exceeds 11,000 
flight cycles since new.
    (2) If you cannot determine the accumulated flight cycles, 
remove any LPT stage 3 turbine blade, P/N LK55386, LK86483, or 
LK86503 within 200 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any LPT 
stage 3 turbine blade, P/N LK55386, LK86483, or LK86503, on any 
engine if the blade has accumulated 11,000 or more flight cycles 
since new.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 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.

(g) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
kenneth.steeves@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0210, 
dated September 19, 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-2014-0904.
    (3) RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-
AH790, Revision 1, dated November 5, 2014, which is not incorporated 
by reference in this AD, can be obtained from RR, using the contact 
information in paragraph (g)(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://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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 24, 2014.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2014-28339 Filed 12-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P