[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 57 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15584-15586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7226]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535 series 
turbofan engines. This proposal would remove from service suspect 
radial drive steady bearings with certain serial number prefixes, and 
replace them with serviceable parts. Reports of a number of radial 
drive steady bearing failures from distinct batches of parts prompted 
this proposal. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent radial drive steady bearing failure, which could result in an 
in-flight engine shutdown and smoke and fumes in the cabin.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-04-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be submitted to the Rules 
Docket by using the following Internet address: ``[email protected]''. Comments may be inspected at this location between 
8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone 781-238-
7747, fax 781-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, 
will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The 
proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the 
comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal 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 2000-NE-04-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

[[Page 15585]]

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-04-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    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) RB211-535 series turbofan engines. The CAA 
advises that it has received reports of radial drive steady bearing 
failures. The investigation revealed several failure modes, e.g., 
grinding abuse, ball and raceway fatigue, cage pocket spalling, loose 
rivets, and cage lapping. There has been an increase in the rate of 
radial drive steady bearing failures at low life since December 1998. 
These failures have been confined to five distinct batches of bearings 
manufactured between July 1998 and December 1998. The five affected 
batches are identified by the outer race serial number prefixes: DLJO, 
DLJP, DLOQ, DLSK, and DMBA. The manufacturer subsequently introduced 
additional quality checks and improved assembly procedures in June 
1999, and there have been no reported bearing failures on parts 
manufactured since then. Affected engines are those that have had a new 
bearing fitted at overhaul, were new production engines, or had a 
bearing changed in service between July 26, 1998, and September 30, 
1999. This condition, if not corrected, could result in radial drive 
steady bearing failure, which could result in an in-flight engine 
shutdown and smoke and fumes in the cabin.

Service Information

    R-R has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-C930, dated 
December 22, 1999, that identifies the suspect bearings by 
manufacturing time frame, and specifies references for removing and 
installing the bearings. The CAA classified this SB as mandatory and 
issued airworthiness directive (AD) 004-12-1999 in order to ensure 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 
Sec. 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.

Proposed 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 proposed AD would remove from service defective 
radial drive steady bearings manufactured during certain dates and 
replace them with serviceable parts.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 1,000 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 400 engines installed on 
aircraft of US registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it 
would take approximately 4 work hours per engine to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $160 per engine. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on US operators is 
estimated to be $160,000 .

Regulatory Impact

    This proposal does not have federalism implications, as defined in 
Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this proposal.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. 2000-NE-04-AD.

    Applicability: Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535 series turbofan 
engines, with radial drive steady bearings with outer race serial 
number (S/N) prefixes: DLJO, DLJP, DLOQ, DLSK, and DMBA, installed. 
Affected engines are those that have had a new bearing fitted at 
overhaul, were new production engines, or had a bearing changed in 
service between July 26, 1998, and September 30, 1999. These engines 
are installed on but not limited to Boeing 757 series aircraft and 
Tupolev Tu204 series aircraft.


    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 radial drive steady bearing failure, which could 
result in an in-flight engine shutdown and smoke and fumes in the 
cabin, accomplish the following:

Remove Suspect Bearings

    (a) Remove from service radial drive steady bearings identified 
in the applicability paragraph of this AD and replace with 
serviceable parts as follows:
    (1) For engines that had the suspect radial drive steady 
bearings installed during a shop visit or on-wing, remove from 
service before accumulating 1,500 hours time-in-service-since-new 
(TSN), but no later than September 30, 2000.

[[Page 15586]]

    (2) For engines that had the suspect radial drive steady 
bearings installed in factory production, remove from service before 
accumulating 2,400 hours TSN, but no later than December 31, 2000.

Do Not Install Suspect Bearings

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, accomplish the 
following:
    (1) Do not install radial drive steady bearings from the five 
affected batches listed in the applicability paragraph of this AD at 
overhaul, in service, or at new production.
    (2) If performing an engine change, do not allow two engines 
that have bearings from any of the five affected batches listed in 
the applicability paragraph of this AD to be installed on the same 
airplane.

Serviceable Parts

    (3) For the purpose of this AD, serviceable bearings are those 
which are not listed in the applicability paragraph of this AD. 
Current outer race S/N prefix DPSF or alphabetically subsequent 
prefix is considered serviceable.

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 request 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 airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the ECO.

Ferry Flights

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 15, 2000.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-7226 Filed 3-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P