[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4760-4761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2000]
[[Page 4760]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NE-60-AD; Amendment 39-11535; AD 2000-02-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 768-60,
772-60, and 772B-60 Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-
60 series turbofan engines. This action requires initial and repetitive
visual inspections for flank wear on intermediate pressure turbine
(IPT) shaft splines and intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) rear
stub shaft splines. Components that show excessive flank wear must be
replaced with serviceable parts. This amendment is prompted by reports
of worn IPT shaft splines discovered at overhaul. The actions specified
in this AD are intended to prevent IPT and IPC shaft spline flank wear,
which could result in loss of drive between the IPT and IPC, leading to
an IPT overspeed and possible disk burst, uncontained engine failure,
and potential damage to the aircraft.
DATES: Effective February 16, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 16, 2000.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before April 3, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 99-NE-60--AD, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent via the Internet
using the following address: ``[email protected]''. Comments sent
via the Internet must contain the docket number in the subject line.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, England; telephone: International
Access Code 011, Country Code 44, 1332-249428, fax: International
Access Code 011, Country Code 44, 1332-249223. This information may be
examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional
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: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone 781-
238-7176, fax 781-238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which
is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom (UK), recently
notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that an unsafe
condition may exist on Rolls-Royce plc (R-R) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-
60, and 772B-60 series turbofan engines. The CAA advises that it has
received reports of excessive flank wear discovered on intermediate
pressure turbine (IPT) shaft splines at overhaul. The investigation
revealed that a lubrication problem, among other factors, may be
causing the wear. This condition, if not corrected, could result in IPT
and intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) shaft spline flank wear,
which could result in loss of drive between the IPT and IPC, leading to
an IPT overspeed and possible disk burst, uncontained engine failure,
and potential damage to the aircraft.
Service Information
R-R has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-C329,
Revision 1, dated November 6, 1998, that specifies procedures and
references for performing visual inspections for flank wear on IPT
shaft splines and IPC rear stub shaft splines. The SB also provides
references for determining if excessive flank wear requires replacing
worn components with serviceable parts. The CAA classified this SB as
mandatory and issued airworthiness directive (AD) 004-04-98, dated
November 6, 1998, in order to assure the airworthiness of these R-R
engines in the UK.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
This engine model is manufactured in the UK and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Required Actions
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other engines of the same type design registered in
the United States, the AD requires initial visual inspections prior to
accumulating 4,200 cycles-since-new (CSN) and repetitive inspections at
intervals not to exceed 4,200 cycles-in-service (CIS) since last
inspection. Components that show excessive flank wear must be replaced
with serviceable parts. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
Immediate Adoption
There are currently no domestic operators of this engine model.
Accordingly, a situation exists that allows the immediate adoption of
this regulation. Notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon
are impracticable, and good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact
[[Page 4761]]
concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules
Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NE-60-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order (EO) 13132.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under EO 12866. It has been determined further that this action
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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:
2000-02-17 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-11535. Docket 99-NE-60-AD.
Applicability: Rolls-Royce plc (R-R) RB211 Trent Rolls-Royce plc
(R-R) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 series turbofan
engines, installed on but not limited to Airbus Industrie A330-341
and A330-342 series airplanes.
Note 1: 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
request approval for an alternative method of compliance in
accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include
an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or
repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the
unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include
specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) and intermediate
pressure compressor (IPC) shaft spline flank wear, which could
result in loss of drive between the IPT and IPC, leading to an IPT
overspeed and possible disk burst, uncontained engine failure, and
potential damage to the aircraft, accomplish the following:
Inspections
(a) Visually inspect for flank wear on IPT shaft splines and
intermediate pressure compressor IPC rear stub shaft splines in
accordance with Paragraph D, Action, of R-R Mandatory Service
Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-C329, Revision 1, dated November 6,
1998, as follows:
(1) Initially inspect prior to accumulating 4,200 cycles-since-
new.
(2) Thereafter, inspect at intervals not to exceed 4,200 cycles-
in-service since last inspection.
Replacement, If Necessary
(b) If spline wear depth exceeds the limits referred to in
paragraph D (h)(vi) of R-R Mandatory SB No. RB.211-72-C329, Revision
1, dated November 6, 1998, prior to further flight remove from
service worn components and replace with serviceable parts.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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 (ECO).
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, ECO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the ECO.
Ferry Flights
(d) 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 inspection requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions required by this AD shall be performed in
accordance with Rolls-Royce plc Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
RB.211-72-C329, Revision 1, dated November 6, 1998. 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, PO Box 31, Derby,
England; telephone: International Access Code 011, Country Code 44,
1332-249428, fax: International Access Code 011, Country Code 44,
1332-249223. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region,
Office of the Regional 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on February 16, 2000.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 21, 2000.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2000 Filed 1-31-00; 8:45 am]
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