82 FR 44357 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation Turbofan Engines

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 183 (September 22, 2017)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007A and AE 3007C model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an updated analysis that lowered the life limit of fan wheels installed on the affected engines. This proposed AD would require removal of the affected fan wheel at new, lower life limits. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44357-44359]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19962]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0750; Product Identifier 2017-NE-24-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation 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 
certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007A and AE 3007C model 
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an updated analysis 
that lowered the life limit of fan wheels installed on the affected 
engines. This proposed AD would require removal of the affected fan 
wheel at new, lower life limits. We are proposing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 6, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room

[[Page 44358]]

W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Rolls-
Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-02-05, 
Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-3774; email: 
royce.com">indy.pubs.services@rolls-royce.com; Internet: www.rolls-royce.com. You 
may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 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-2017-
0750; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street 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: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; 
phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0750; 
Product Identifier 2017-NE-24-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 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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    We learned from RRC that an updated stress analysis shows higher 
stress than previously calculated in the aft retainer flange scallop of 
the fan wheel, part number (P/N) 23061670. As a result, RRC reduced the 
published life of the affected fan wheel. We are proposing new life 
limits to remove this fan wheel from service before exceeding this new 
life limit. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure 
of the fan wheel, uncontained release of the fan wheel, damage to the 
engine, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 3007A-A-72-424/ASB 
AE 3007C-A-72-327 (one document), Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017. The 
ASB provides updated life limits for the affected fan wheels. 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

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected fan 
wheels at new, lower life limits.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 341 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost           product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace fan wheel (P/N 23061670)    0 work-hours x $85     $12,357 (pro-rated            $12,357      $4,213,737
 at reduced life.                    per hour = $0.         cost of part).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 
Policy and Innovation Division.

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),

[[Page 44359]]

    (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):

Roll-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate previously held by Allison 
Engine Company): Docket No. FAA-2017-0750; Product Identifier 2017-
NE-24-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 6, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007A, AE 
3007A1, AE 3007A1/1, AE 3007A1/2, AE 3007A1/3, AE 3007A1P, AE 
3007A1E, AE 3007A3, AE 3007C and 3007C1 turbofan engines with a fan 
wheel, part number (P/N) 23061670, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine/
turboprop Engine, Turbine Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an updated analysis that lowered the 
life limit of fan wheels installed on the affected engines. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fan wheel. The unsafe 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the fan 
wheel, uncontained release of the fan wheel, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For all AE 3007A, AE 3007A1, AE 3007A1/1, AE 3007A1/2, AE 
3007A1/3, AE 3007A1P, AE 3007A1E, AE 3007A3, AE 3007C and 3007C1 
engines with an installed fan wheel, P/N 23061670, after the 
effective date of this AD, remove the affected fan wheel before 
exceeding the new life limits identified in Planning Information, 
paragraph 1.F., of RRC ASB AE 3007A-A-72-424/ASB AE 3007C-A-72-327 
(one document), Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not return to 
service any engine with a fan wheel, P/N 23061670, with a fan wheel 
life that exceeds the new life limits identified in Planning 
Information, paragraph 1.C., of RRC ASB AE 3007A-A-72-424/ASB AE 
3007C-A-72-327 (one document), Revision 1, dated April 20, 2017.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the Chicago ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kyri 
Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 E. 
Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-
294-7834; email: [email protected].
    (2) For RRC service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-02-
05, Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-3774; email: 
royce.com">indy.pubs.services@rolls-royce.com; Internet: www.rolls-royce.com.
    (3) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 13, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-19962 Filed 9-21-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P