82 FR 24033 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 100 (May 25, 2017)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. This AD requires fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the compressor intermediate case (CIC) for cracking. This AD was prompted by CICs that were weld repaired and have a higher probability of cracking as a result of the weld repair process. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 100 (Thursday, May 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24033-24035]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10438]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0114; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-03-AD; 
Amendment 39-18880; AD 2017-10-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan 
engines. This AD requires fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the 
compressor intermediate case (CIC) for cracking. This AD was prompted 
by CICs that were weld repaired and have a higher probability of 
cracking as a result of the weld repair process. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 9, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 9, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by July 10, 2017.

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: 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.

[[Page 24034]]

     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    For 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://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 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-2017-0114.

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-2017-
0114; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0114; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-NE-03-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
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 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 2017-0071, dated April 26, 2017 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:


    It has been determined that certain compressor intermediate 
cases (CIC), repaired by RR Repair FRSC005, have a higher 
probability of cracking, due to increased residual stresses which 
were applied during the weld repair process. This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to CIC failure, possibly 
resulting in damage to, and/or reduced control of, the aeroplane. To 
address this potential unsafe condition, RR released Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH976, later revised, 
providing inspection instructions. For the reason described above, 
this AD requires a one-time fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPI) 
of each affected CIC and, depending on findings, accomplishment of a 
repair.

    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-2017-0114.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RR has issued Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH976, Revision 2, dated March 
16, 2017. The Alert NMSB describes procedures for FPI of the CIC that 
have RR Repair FRSC005 applied to them. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 issuing 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 AD requires one-time FPI of each affected 
CIC and, depending on findings, accomplishment of a repair.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 0 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................  2.0 work-hours x $85 per              $0         $170.00              $0
                                         hour = $170.00.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 24035]]

that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that 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 this AD:
    (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.

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2017-10-06 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18880; Docket No. FAA-2017-
0114; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-03-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 9, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 
RB211 Trent 772-60, and RB211 Trent 772B-60 turbofan engines that 
have a compressor intermediate case (CIC) that was repaired using RR 
Repair FRSC005.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by CICs that were weld repaired and have a 
higher probability of cracking due to increased residual stresses as 
a result of the weld repair process. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent CIC failure, engine separation and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Inspect repaired CICs during the next shop visit, or within 
6,000 engine flight cycles, whichever occurs first, after the 
effective date of this AD, using paragraph 3.B.(1)(c) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions, of RR Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH976, Revision 2, dated March 16, 2017.
    (2) If a CIC fails inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, either repair the CIC using paragraph 3.B.(2)(b) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions, of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH976, 
Revision 2, dated March 16, 2017, or, replace the CIC with a part 
eligible for installation, before next flight.

(h) Definitions

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

(i) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected 
intermediate module on an engine unless the CIC has passed the 
inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the inspections and corrective action 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if you performed these actions 
before the effective date of this AD using RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-
AH976, original issue, dated November 3, 2016 or RR Alert NMSB 
RB.211-72-AH976, Revision 1, dated November 17, 2016.

(k) 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: [email protected].

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), AD 
2017-0071, dated April 26, 2017, 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-2017-0114.

(m) 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 Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
RB.211-72-AH976, Revision 2, dated March 16, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Rolls-Royce plc 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://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.
    (5) You may view this service information 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 May 4, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10438 Filed 5-24-17; 8:45 am]
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