[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 10, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35896-35898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16926]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-12310; AD 2001-13-28]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Limited, Aero Division-
Bristol, S.N.E.C.M.A. Olympus 593 Mk. 610-14-28 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 Limited, Aero Division-Bristol, 
S.N.E.C.M.A. (RR) Olympus 593 Mk. 610-14-28 turbofan engines. This 
action requires replacement of the low-oil pressure (LOP) switch. This 
amendment is prompted by a report of the failure of the low pressure 
(LP) and high pressure (HP) rotor thrust bearings due to oil starvation 
that was caused by the loss of the LOP switch function and resulted in 
a delayed engine shutdown. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent the failure of the LOP switch to indicate an LOP 
event, which could contribute to uncontained engine failure due to oil 
starvation in the thrust bearings.

DATES: Effective August 9, 2001. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of August 9, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-07-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 Defence (Europe) Technical Publications Department, P.O. 
Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, England; telephone 011 7979 6060; FAX 
011 7979 7234. 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 FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on RR Olympus 593 
Mk. 610-14-28 turbofan engines. The CAA advises that the failure of a 
low-oil pressure (LOP) switch cable at the LOP switch connector 
resulted in increased secondary damage after an LP compressor blade 
failure. The failed blade caused a rotor imbalance, which caused 
cracking of the oil tank and loss of engine oil. Because the LOP switch 
cable had failed, no LOP warning was received in the cockpit. Since no 
LOP warning was received, the engine was not immediately shut down and 
the LP and HP rotor thrust bearings failed from oil starvation. The 
failure of the LP and HP compressor rotor bearings caused an increase 
in secondary damage to the engine.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    RR has issued Olympus 593 Service Bulletin (SB) No OL.593-71-9056-
33, Revision 2, dated December 7, 2000, that specifies procedures for 
reworking the plug of existing electrical harness for the LOP switch. 
The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and

[[Page 35897]]

issued AD 002-10-98 in order to ensure the airworthiness of these RR 
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 Code of Federal 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.

Requirements of This AD

    Although none of these affected engine models are used on any 
airplanes that are registered in the United States, the possibility 
exists that the engine models could be used on airplanes that are 
registered in the United States in the future. Because an unsafe 
condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on 
other Olympus 593 Mk.610-14-28 engines of the same type design, this AD 
requires reworking the plug of the existing electrical harness for the 
LOP switch. The actions must be done in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.

Immediate Adoption

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this engine 
model, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary. 
Therefore, a situation exists that allows the immediate adoption of 
this regulation.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety, and 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 
in triplicate 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 in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons, 
both before and after the closing date for comments. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NE-07-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order No. 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 final rule.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation may be issued 
immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order No. 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 Code of Federal 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:

2001-13-28  Rolls-Royce Limited, Aero Division-Bristol, 
S.N.E.C.M.A.: Amendment 39-12310. Docket 2000-NE-07-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Rolls-Royce 
Limited, Aero Division-Bristol, S.N.E.C.M.A. (RR) Olympus 593 Mk. 
610-14-28 turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not 
limited to, Concorde airplanes.

    Note 1: This 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 (b) 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

    Compliance with this AD is required as indicated below, unless 
already done.
    To prevent the failure of the LOP switch to indicate an LOP 
event, which could contribute to uncontained engine failure due to 
oil starvation in the thrust bearings, do the following:
    (a) Install a revised LOP switch incorporating an extended 
support bush in combination with an angled backshell and additional 
cable slack in accordance with the accomplishment instructions of RR 
Service Bulletin OL.593-71-9056-33, Revision 2, dated December 7, 
2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 (ECO). 
Operators must 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 airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the ECO.


[[Page 35898]]



Incorporation by Reference Material

    (c) The actions specified in this AD must be done in accordance 
with the following Rolls-Royce Olympus service bulletin:

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            Document No.                      Pages                 Revision                     Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OL.593-71-9056-33..................  1.....................  2.....................  Dec. 7, 2000.
                                     2-3...................  Original..............  Oct. 5, 1998.
                                     4.....................  2.....................  Dec. 7, 2000.
                                     5.....................  1.....................  Feb. 19, 1999.
                                     6.....................  Original..............  Oct. 5, 1998.
                                     7.....................  2.....................  Dec. 7, 2000.
                                     8.....................  1.....................  Feb. 19, 1999.
    Total pages: 8
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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 Defence (Europe) 
Technical Publications Department, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 
7QE, England; telephone 011 44 7979 6060; FAX 011 44 7979 7234. 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in CAA airworthiness 
directive 002-10-98.

Effective Date of This AD

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on August 9, 2001.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 28, 2001.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate,Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16926 Filed 7-9-01; 8:45 am]
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