[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 135 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36622-36624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17535]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-39; Amendment 39-9672; AD 96-13-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce, plc RB211 Series Turbofan 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.


[[Page 36623]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc RB211 series turbofan engines, that 
requires removing and replacing the existing rigid low pressure (LP) 
fuel system tube assembly with a tube assembly having flexible sections 
and revised clip points to preclude cracking and subsequent fuel 
leakage. This amendment is prompted by multiple reports of fuel leaks. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a fuel system 
leak, which could result in rapid atomization of fuel and an engine 
fire.

DATES: Effective September 10, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 10, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Rolls-Royce, plc, P.O. Box 31, Moor Lane, Derby, DE248BJ, 
United Kingdom; telephone 1332-249428, fax 1332-249423. This 
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Kerman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 
238-7130, fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) Models 
RB211-535E4 series and -535E4-B series turbofan engines was published 
in the Federal Register on June 26,1995 (60 FR 20189). That action 
proposed to require replacement of the low pressure (LP) fuel tube 
assembly in accordance with R-R Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-
B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter states that as soon as parts were available, R-R 
undertook incorporation of the modification described in R-R SB No. 
RB.211-73-B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994, on all engines in 
production. The commenter states that all engines starting with serial 
number (S/N) 31292 were delivered with the configuration required by 
the proposed AD. The commenter proposes that the applicability section 
be revised to exclude engine S/N's of 31292 and subsequent. The FAA 
concurs and has revised the applicability section of this final rule 
accordingly.
    Two commenters support the rule as proposed.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    There are approximately 558 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 292 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 2 work hours per engine to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $1,000 per engine. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $327,040.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air Transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

96-13-04  Rolls-Royce, plc: Amendment 39-9672. Docket 94-ANE-39.

    Applicability: Rolls-Royce, plc. (R-R) Models RB211-535E4 series 
and -535E4-B series turbofan engines, prior to engine Serial Number 
(S/N) 31292, installed on but not limited to Boeing 757 series 
aircraft.

    Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the 
authority provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address 
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a fuel system leak, which could result in rapid 
atomization of fuel and an engine fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the existing rigid low pressure (LP) fuel system tube assembly and 
replace with the new flexible LP fuel system tube design with 
revised clip points, in accordance with R-R Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. RB.211-73-B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. The 
request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of

[[Page 36624]]

compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be 
obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following R-R SB:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Document No.             Pages     Revision          Date      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RB.211-73-B048................  1-6.....  1...........  July 22, 1994.  
                                7,8.....  Original....  June 3, 1994.   
                                9-12....  1...........  July 22, 1994.  
Supplement....................  1.......  1...........  July 22, 1994.  
Total Pages: 13.                                                        
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    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Rolls-Royce, plc, P.O. Box 31, 
Moor Lane, Derby, DE248BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 1332-249428, 
fax 1332-249423. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 1996.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 11, 1996.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-17535 Filed 7-11-96; 8:45 am]
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