[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 13, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56755-56757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28024]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-68-AD; Amendment 39-12497; AD 2001-22-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce, plc Models Tay 650-15 and 
651-54 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that 
is applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc models Tay 650-15 and 651-54 turbofan 
engines. This amendment requires initial and repetitive visual and 
ultrasonic inspections of fan blades for cracks, and, if necessary, 
replacement with serviceable parts. In addition, this AD requires 
recording instances when engines are operated in a stabilized manner in 
newly prohibited ranges. This amendment is prompted by reports of fan 
blade failures. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent fan blade failures, which can result in an uncontained engine 
failure, engine fire, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective date December 18, 2001. The incorporation by reference 
of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of December 18, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Rolls-Royce plc, Technical Publications Department, PO 
Box 31, Derby, England DE248BJ; telephone 44 1332 242424, fax 44 1332 
249936. This information may be examined, by appointment, between 8:00 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (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: Richard Woldan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 
238-7136; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc models Tay 650-15 and 651-54 turbofan 
engines was published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2000 (65 
FR 55468). That action proposed to require initial and repetitive 
visual and ultrasonic inspections of fan blades for cracks, and, if 
necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. In addition, that action 
proposed to require recording instances when engines are operated in a 
stabilized manner in newly prohibited ranges.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Possible Conflict of AD's

    One commenter states that AD 98-06-07, which was issued by the 
Transport Airplane Directorate, conflicts with the proposed AD. The 
commenter requests that the FAA clarify its position regarding the 
removal of engine speed restrictions in the forward thrust mode, 
introduced by AD 98-06-07. The commenter notes that the proposed AD 
does not require inspections if engines are operated in the restricted 
engine forward thrust mode, introduced by AD 98-06-07. The commenter 
appears to believe that the proposed action will have the effect of 
removing the restrictions introduced by AD 98-06-07. The FAA does not 
agree.
    This AD is based on the latest revisions of service information 
published by the engine manufacturer, Rolls-Royce. Based on that 
information, the FAA has determined that no inspections are necessary 
for engines operated in the restricted engine forward thrust mode, 
introduced by AD 98-06-07. AD 98-06-07 was issued by the Transport 
Airplane Directorate. The Engine & Propeller Directorate has informed 
the Transport Airplane Directorate of this finding, which the Transport 
Directorate may use as a basis for further rulemaking with regard to 
the requirements of AD 98-06-07. The FAA

[[Page 56756]]

believes, however, that this AD and AD 98-07-06 do not conflict in that 
it is possible for operaters to comply with both AD's. Also, as stated 
by the commenter, an approval for modification of the requirements of 
AD 98-06-07 can be pursued through a request for an alternative method 
of compliance.

Modify Shop Visit Definition

    One commenter requests that the shop visit definition in the 
proposed AD be modified to exclude engines that are inducted into the 
shop solely for convenience in performing maintenance that could be 
performed on-wing. The commenter further states that engines do not 
need to be removed from the airplane and inducted into the shop to 
perform on-wing types of maintenance, and, if only field-level 
maintenance is performed off-wing, it should not be considered a shop 
visit. The FAA agrees.
    The intent of this proposed AD is to perform fan blade inspections 
during shop visit for heavy engine maintenance. Requiring these 
inspections during shop visits that are only performing field-level 
maintenance would needlessly penalize an operator when the required 
maintenance could be performed on-wing. Therefore, the FAA has revised 
the defintion of shop visit to exclude those shop visits when only 
field maintenance type activities are performed in lieu of performing 
them on-wing.
    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.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 713 engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 451 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this AD. Based on the 
current utilization and shop visit rates for the affected engine 
models, the FAA estimates that the number of shop visits and 
inspections for the U.S. fleet would be approximately 140 per year. It 
would take approximately 5 work hours per engine to accomplish the 
actions at a labor rate of $60 per work hour. Assuming that five 
percent of these inspections result in a rejected fan blade set at a 
cost of approximately $100,000 per set, the annual cost impact of this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $742,000. The current 
inspection failure rate is below one percent and this cost estimate is 
believed to be conservatively high.

Regulatory Analysis

    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.
    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 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 final evaluation has been prepared for 
this action and it 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, 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 a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2001-22-18 Rolls-Royce, plc: Amendment 39-12497. Docket No. 98-ANE-
68-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) models Tay 650-15 and 651-54 turbofan 
engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Fokker 
Model F.28 Mark 0100 and Boeing 727-QF series 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 (e) 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 fan blade failure, which can result in an uncontained 
engine failure, engine fire, and damage to the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Record Operation in Prohibited Operating Ranges

    (a) If an engine is operated in a stabilized manner within the 
prohibited ranges described in R-R Service Bulletin (SB) No. Tay-72-
1447, Revision 2, dated July 25, 2000, paragraphs 3.A ., 3.B.(2), or 
3.C. as applicable by engine model, then prior to the next flight 
make an entry in the engine records that reflects that operation. If 
known, include the stabilized N1 speed in the engine records.

Inspections

    (b) Perform initial and repetitive inspections of fan blades in 
accordance with paragraphs 1. D. (1) through (7) of R-R SB No. Tay 
72-1442, Revision 1, dated December 19, 1997, as follows:
    (1) Perform the initial inspection at the earliest of the 
following:
    (i) If the engine records indicate that any of the conditions 
described in R-R SB No. Tay-72-1447, Revision 2, dated July 25, 
2000, paragraphs 3.A.(2), 3.A.(3), 3.B.(2)(a), 3.B.(2)(b), or 
3.C.(2), as applicable by engine model, are satisfied;
    (ii) Prior to entering in service if fan blades are installed in 
a different engine than that from which they were removed and if the 
fan blades have time-in-service since the last inspection in 
accordance with R-R SB No. Tay 72-1442;
    (iii) The next shop visit after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Thereafter, inspect at intervals not to exceed the earliest 
of paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(iii) of this AD.
    (c) Remove the entire fan blade set from service if any blade 
shows crack indications and replace with serviceable parts.

Definition of Shop Visit

    (d) For the purposes of this AD, a shop visit is defined as the 
introduction of the engine into a shop that has the capability to 
separate Rolls-Royce, plc models Tay 650-15 or 651-54 turbofan 
engine major case flanges. This definition excludes shop visits when 
only field maintenance type activities are performed in lieu of 
performing them on-wing.

[[Page 56757]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance 
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.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated By Reference

    (g) The inspection must be done in accordance with the following 
Rolls-Royce plc, mandatory service bulletins (MSB's):

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           Document No.                   Pages               Revision                       Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSB Tay 72-1442..................  1-3                  1                    December 19, 1997.
Appendix 1.......................  1-2                  1                    December 19, 1997.
                                   3                    Original             October 31, 1997.
Appendix 2.......................  1                    1                    December 19, 1997.
Appendix 3.......................  1                    1                    December 19, 1997.
Appendix 4.......................  1                    Original             October 31, 1997.
    Total pages: 9
MSB Tay-72-1447..................  1-5                  2                    July 25, 2000.
    Total pages: 5
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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, Technical 
Publications Department, PO Box 31, Derby, England DE248BJ; 
telephone 44 1332 242424; fax 44 1332 249936. Copies may be 
inspected, by appointment, 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 United Kingdom 
Civil Aviation Authority Airworthiness Directives 008-10-97 and 001-
12-97.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on December 18, 2001.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 31, 2001.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-28024 Filed 11-9-01; 8:45 am]
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