80 FR 55232 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 178 (September 15, 2015)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage to the fan case low-pressure (LP) fuel tube. This AD requires inspection of the fan case LP fuel tubes and associated clips and the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) mounts and associated hardware. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fan case LP fuel tube, which could lead to an in-flight engine shutdown, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55232-55234]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21458]


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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; 
Amendment 39-18252; AD 2015-17-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 55233]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan 
engines. This AD was prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage to the fan 
case low-pressure (LP) fuel tube. This AD requires inspection of the 
fan case LP fuel tubes and associated clips and the fuel oil heat 
exchanger (FOHE) mounts and associated hardware. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the fan case LP fuel tube, which could lead to an 
in-flight engine shutdown, loss of thrust control, and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective October 20, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 20, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: 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. 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. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0363.

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 Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RR RB211 
Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. The SNPRM published 
in the Federal Register on April 21, 2015 (80 FR 22137). We preceded 
the SNPRM with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in 
the Federal Register on July 3, 2014 (79 FR 37965). The NPRM proposed 
to require inspection of the fan case LP fuel tubes and associated 
clips and the FOHE mounts and associated hardware. The NPRM was 
prompted by fuel leaks caused by damage to the fan case 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 engine shutdown, loss of thrust 
control, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 
RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014; and RR Alert NMSB No. 
RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014. This service information 
describes procedures for inspecting, and replacing if required, the fan 
case LP fuel tube and clips and the FOHE mounts and hardware. This 
service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or 
see ADDRESSES for other ways to access this service information.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the SNPRM (80 FR 22137, April 21, 
2015).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects about 50 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 6 
hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 
per hour. We also estimate that 25 of the engines will fail the 
inspection required by this AD. Required parts cost about $4,031 per 
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $126,275.

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

[[Page 55234]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-17-19 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18252; Docket No. FAA-2014-
0363; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-08-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 20, 2015.

(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, if fitted with fuel tube, part 
number (P/N) FW53576, which was incorporated through RR production 
modification 73-F343 or which were modified in service in accordance 
with RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-F343, Revision 4, dated 
May 26, 2011.

(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 engine shutdown, 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) Within 800 flight hours (FH) after the effective date of 
this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 800 FH, inspect 
the clip at the uppermost fan case LP fuel tube clip position, 
CP4881, and support bracket, P/N FW26692. Use Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A, of RR Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014, or 
paragraph 3.A. or 3.B. of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, 
Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014, to do the inspection.
    (i) If the clip at the uppermost clip position, CP4881, fails 
inspection, replace the clip with a part eligible for installation 
and, before further flight, inspect the fan case LP fuel tube, P/N 
FW53576, for fretting, and clips for cracks or failure, according to 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A. of RR Alert NMSB No. 
RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014, or paragraph 3.A. or 3.B. 
of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 
2014.
    (ii) If the support bracket, P/N FW26692, fails inspection, 
replace the bracket before further flight with a part eligible for 
installation and inspect the fan case LP fuel tube, P/N FW53576, and 
clips for cracks or failure.
    (2) Within 4,000 FH since new or 800 FH, whichever occurs later, 
after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 4,000 FH, inspect the fan case LP fuel tube, P/N FW53576, 
and clips, and the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) mounts and 
hardware, for damage, wear, or fretting. Use paragraph 3.A. or 3.B., 
Accomplishment Instructions, of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, 
Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014, to do the inspection.
    (i) If the fan case LP fuel tube, P/N FW53576, fails inspection, 
before further flight, replace the fuel tube and clips with parts 
eligible for installation.
    (ii) If any FOHE mount or hardware shows signs of damage, wear, 
or fretting, replace the damaged part before further flight with a 
part eligible for installation.
    (3) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the fan case LP fuel tubes, P/Ns FW26589, FW36335, FW26587, 
FW53577, and FW53576, and clips, and the FOHE mounts and hardware, 
for damage, wear, or fretting. Use paragraphs 3.B.(1) and 3.B.(2) of 
RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014, 
to do the inspection.
    (i) If any fan case LP fuel tube fails inspection, replace the 
fuel tube and clips before further flight with parts eligible for 
installation.
    (ii) If any FOHE mount or hardware shows signs of damage, wear, 
or fretting, replace the damaged part before further flight with a 
part eligible for installation.
    (4) If you replace any fan case LP fuel tube, clip, or FOHE 
mount or hardware as a result of the inspections in paragraphs 
(e)(1), (e)(2), or (e)(3) of this AD, you must still continue to 
perform the repetitive inspections in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and 
(e)(3) of this AD.
    (5) Any reports requested in the Alert NMSB accomplishment 
instructions referenced in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of 
this AD are not required by this AD.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If, before the effective date of this AD, you performed the 
inspections and corrective actions required by paragraph (e) of this 
AD using RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-G848, Revision 3, dated June 12, 
2014; or RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014; 
or paragraph 3.A. or 3.B. of RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, 
Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014; or earlier versions, you met the 
inspection requirements in paragraph (e) 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 clips, and the FOHE mounts 
and 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. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(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: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-
0243R1, dated December 10, 2014 for more information. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0363-0004.
    (3) RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-G848, Revision 3, dated June 12, 2014; 
RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014; and RR 
Alert NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014, or 
earlier versions, which are not incorporated by reference in this 
AD, can be obtained from RR, using the contact information in 
paragraph (j)(3) of this AD.
    (4) 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.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
(NMSB) No. RB.211-73-AH522, Revision 2, dated July 18, 2014.
    (ii) RR NMSB No. RB.211-73-AH837, dated September 9, 2014.
    (3) For RR service information identified in this 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 20, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21458 Filed 9-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P