[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 189 (Friday, September 28, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49514-49517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24271]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-29-AD; Amendment 39-12446; AD 2001-19-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Dart 525, 525F, 528, 
528D, 529, 529D, 530, 532, 535, 542, and 552 Series Turboprop 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 (RR) Dart 525, 525F, 528, 528D, 529, 
529D, 530, 532, 535, 542, and 552 series turboprop engines. This action 
requires the removal of certain part number (P/N) high pressure turbine 
(HPT) discs and replacement with serviceable discs. This

[[Page 49515]]

amendment is prompted by three reports of uncontained HPT disc failures 
and the manufacturer's investigation into disc failure. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent HPT disc failure, which 
could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective October 15, 2001. Comments for inclusion in the Rules 
Docket must be received on or before November 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-29-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, P.O. Box 31 Derby, 
DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 011-44-1332-242424; fax 011-44-
1332-249936. 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: Keith Mead, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7744; 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 Dart 525, 
525F, 528, 528D, 529, 529D, 530, 532, 535, 542, and 552 series 
turboprop engines. The CAA advises that three reports of uncontained 
HPT disc failures have occurred on in-service engines. The results of 
an investigation reveal that fretting, wear, and open clearance between 
the HPT disc diaphragm seal arm and intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) 
disc diaphragm seal arm can result in a high-response disc vibration 
mode, which results in high-cycle-fatigue (HCF) fractures in the HPT 
disc. The manufacturer, through testing, has shown that by adding an 
interference fit between the HPT and IPT seal arms, the discs become 
effectively preloaded against each other, significantly reducing disc 
diaphragm vibratory stresses. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in HPT disc failure, which could result in an uncontained engine 
failure and damage to the airplane.

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.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Proposed Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Rolls-Royce plc Dart 525, 525F, 528, 528D, 
529, 529D, 530, 532, 535, 542, and 552 series turboprop engines of the 
same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent HPT disc failure, 
which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
airplane. This AD requires the scheduled replacement of HPT discs of 
the affected design with serviceable discs. The cycles and calendar 
dates of the replacement schedule are based on risk analysis and the 
need for owners/operators to have an adequate length of time to 
accomplish this AD.

Immediate Adoption of This AD

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that 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 
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, 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 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 2001-NE-29-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 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 is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 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, Safety.

[[Page 49516]]

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:

2001-19-06  Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-12446. Docket 2001-NE-29-
AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Rolls-Royce 
Dart 525, 525F, 528-7E, 528D-7E, 529-7E, 529D-7E, 529-7H, 529D-7H, 
529-8E, 529D-8E, 529-8H, 529D-8H, 529-8X, 529D-8X, 529-8Y, 529D-8Y, 
529-8Z, 529D-8Z, 530, 532-7, 532-7L, 532-7N, 532-7P, 532-7R, 535-2, 
535-7R, 542-10, 542-10J, 542-10K, 542-4, 542-4K, 552-2, 552-7, 552-
7R series turbofan engines that contain high pressure turbine (HPT) 
discs having the part numbers listed in the following Table 1:

                                 Table 1.--Part Numbers of Applicable HPT Discs
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ARK49431               ARK49434               ARK49437               A.RK50111              A.RK50120
A.RK50121              BRK49431               BRK49434               BRK49437               B.RK50111
B.RK50120              B.RK50121              CRK49431               CRK49434               CRK49437
C.RK50111              C.RK50120              C.RK50121              RK33092                RK33097
RK33099                RK33104                RK33114                RK33117                RK33119
RK33122                RK33125                RK33130                RK33131                RK33214
RK33466                RK33499                RK34206                RK34207                RK34208
RK34209                RK34210                RK34211                RK34212                RK34213
RK34671                RK34674                RK36477                RK36479                RK36481
RK36483                RK36485                RK36487                RK36489                RK36491
RK38592                RK38593                RK38594                RK38595                RK40712
RK40713                RK40714                RK40715                RK40716                RK40717
RK40718                RK40719                RK40720                RK40721                RK40722
RK40723                RK40724                RK40725                RK40726                RK40727
RK43749                RK43750                RK43751                RK44112                RK44113
RK44114                RK44115                RK44116                RK44117                RK44118
RK44119                RK44120                RK44121                RK44122                RK44123
RK44124                RK44125                RK44126                RK44127                RK44310
RK44311                RK44312                RK44328                RK44342                RK44374
RK44397                RK45565                RK46136                RK46485                RK46486
RK46487                RK46488                RK46489                RK46490                RK46491
RK46492                RK46493                RK46494                RK46495                RK46496
RK46497                RK46498                RK46499                RK46531                RK46828
RK48339                RK49121                RK49209                RK49210                RK49211
RK49431                RK49434                RK49437                RK50111                RK50120
RK50121
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    These engines are installed on, but not limited to BAC Viscount 
Type 810 aircraft, Fokker F.27 Friendship Mark 200, 400, 500, and 
600 series aircraft, Maryland Air Industries, Inc. Fairchild F-27A, 
F, G, M, J, FH-227, FH-227B, C, D, and E series aircraft, Gulfstream 
Aerospace Model G-159 aircraft, BAE SYSTEMS (Operations) Limited HS 
748 series aircraft, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. YS-11 series 
aircraft, and Convair CV600/640 series aircraft.

    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 (d) 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, unless already 
done.
    To prevent HPT disc failure, which could result in an 
uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane, do the 
following:
    (a) Remove from service the discs listed by part number in Table 
1 of this AD, in accordance with the following Table 2 of this AD:

                       Table 2.--Removal Schedule
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                  If:                                 Then:
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(1) Engine is fitted with a listed HPT   Remove from service and replace
 disc with more than 15,000 cycles        with a serviceable disc within
 since new (CSN) on effective date of     300 cycles or before June 30,
 this AD.                                 2002, whichever occurs
                                          earlier.
(2) Engine is fitted with a listed HPT   Remove from service and replace
 disc that has 12,000 CSN to 15,000 CSN   with a serviceable disc within
 on effective date of this AD.            600 cycles or before June 30,
                                          2002, whichever occurs
                                          earlier.
(3) Engine is fitted with a listed HPT   Remove from service and replace
 disc that has 9,000 to 11,999 CSN on     with a serviceable disc within
 effective date of this AD.               900 cycles.
(4) Engine is fitted with a listed HPT   Before further flight, remove
 disc that has more than 6,000 CSN as     from service and replace with
 of June 30, 2003.                        a serviceable disc.
(5) Engine is fitted with a listed HPT   Before further flight, remove
 disc as of June 30, 2004.                from service and replace with
                                          a serviceable disc.
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[[Page 49517]]

    (b) Remove from service any discs, listed by part number in 
Table 1 of this AD, from engines that are returned for a shop visit 
for any reason.

Definitions

    (c) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable disc is one whose 
P/N is not listed in Table 1 of this AD. Information on the 
reworking of affected discs into serviceable discs is specified in 
Rolls-Royce Dart Service Bulletin Da72-533 Revision 2, dated July 
25, 2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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 airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Civil 
Airworthiness Authority airworthiness directive AD 007-02-2001, 
dated April 12, 2001.

Effective Date of this AD

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 15, 2001.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 20, 2001.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-24271 Filed 9-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P