[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51150-51152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21741]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-10-AD; Amendment 39-13286; AD 2003-17-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Dart 528, 529, 529D, 531, 532, 535, 542, and 552 Series Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) (formerly Rolls-Royce plc) 
Dart 528-7E, 529-7H, -7E, -8E, -8H, -8X, -8Y, -8Z, 529D-7E, -7H, -8E, -
8H, -8X, -8Y, -8Z, 531, 532-2L, -7, -7N, -7P, -7L, -7R, 535-2, -7R, 
542-4, -4K, -10, -10J, -10K, 552-2, 552-7, and -7R turboprop engines. 
This AD requires removal of any Sermetel coating (Omat 7/46) from 
certain high pressure (HP) turbine discs and intermediate pressure (IP) 
turbine discs, and inspection of discs after coating removal. This AD 
is prompted by reports of Sermetel coating (Omat 7/46) applied to 
certain turbine discs which, if allowed to remain on the discs would 
react adversely with the disc dry film lubricant, and could result in 
uncontained HP or IP turbine disc failure, resulting in possible damage 
to the airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained HP or IP 
turbine disc failure, which could result in damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 30, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, D-15827 
Dahlewitz, Germany; Tel: 49-33-7086-1768; Fax: 49-33-7086-3356.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

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 FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to RRD (formerly Rolls-
Royce plc) Dart 528-7E, 529-7H, -7E, -8E, -8H, -8X, -8Y, -8Z, 529D-7E, 
-7H, -8E, -8H, -8X, -8Y, -8Z, 531, 532-2L, -7, -7N, -7P, -7L, -7R, 535-
2, -7R, 542 -4, -4K, -10, -10J, -10K, 552-2, 552-7, and -7R turboprop 
engines. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on May 5, 
2003 (68 FR 23620). That action proposed to require removal of any 
Sermetel coating (Omat 7/46) from certain HP turbine discs and IP 
turbine discs, and inspection of discs after coating removal.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. That 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. The 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since the 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-10-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2003-17-11 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-13286. 
Docket No. 2003-NE-10-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 30, 2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
(formerly Rolls-Royce plc) Dart 528-7E, 529-7H, -7E,

[[Page 51151]]

-8E, -8H, -8X, -8Y, -8Z, 529D-7E, -7H, -8E, -8H, -8X, -8Y, -8Z, 531, 
532-2L, -7, -7N, -7P, -7L, -7R, 535-2, -7R, 542-4, -4K, -10, -10J, -
10K, 552-2, 552-7, and -7R turboprop engines with a high pressure 
(HP) turbine disc or intermediate pressure (IP) turbine disc that 
has a serial number (SN) listed in Table 1 of this AD installed. 
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited, Model HS 748 Series 2A and 2B airplanes, 
Fokker Aircraft B.V., F.27 Friendship Mark 200, 400, 500, and 600 
airplanes, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-159 ``Gulfstream 
I'' airplanes, Maryland Air Industries, Inc. F-7F, F-27A, F-27G, F-
27J, F-27M, FH-227B, FH-227C, FH-227D, and FH-227E airplanes, and 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd Model YS-11, YS-11A-200, YS-11A-
300, YS-11A-500, and YS-11A-600 airplanes. Table 1 follows:

                                        Table 1.--Affected Turbine Discs
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                                                                                                   Turbine disc
                                                                                                   cycles-since-
       Turbine disc serial number             Turbine disc stage         Date when coating was       new when
                                                                                applied             coating was
                                                                                                      applied
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DETN128.................................  HP                          31. Mar 01................            4356
DETN155.................................  HP                          22. Jun 99................               0
DETN3541................................  HP                          17. Apr 01................            2850
DETN3542................................  HP                          16. Jan 01................            6053
LA759...................................  HP                          27. Oct 00................            5858
LP219...................................  HP                          23. Nov 99................            6688
LW376...................................  HP                          21. Jul 99................            3302
LX484...................................  HP                          22. Feb 00................            4632
LZ299...................................  HP                          23. Dec 99................            5839
LZ404...................................  HP                          13. Jul 01................             630
LZ555...................................  HP                          30. Aug 00................            2158
LZ564...................................  HP                          15. Mar 01................            4204
SG612...................................  HP                          20. Apr 00................            5735
SH195...................................  HP                          16. Dec 99................            5349
DETN25..................................  IP                          30. Aug 00................            2158
DETN238.................................  IP                          31. Mar 01................            4356
DETN240.................................  IP                          18. Apr 01................               0
DETN944.................................  IP                          04. Mar 00................            2200
DETN2666................................  IP                          17. Apr 01................            2850
DETN5538................................  IP                          16. Jul 01................             630
DETN6400................................  IP                          14. Apr 99................               0
LA407...................................  IP                          22. Jun 00................            5736
LA858...................................  IP                          27. Oct 00................            5858
LB99....................................  IP                          13. Aug 99................            9093
LE284...................................  IP                          24. Dec 99................            5679
LN87....................................  IP                          10. May 99................            5829
LP519...................................  IP                          23. Nov 99................            6688
LW517...................................  IP                          22. Dec 99................            5865
LX214...................................  IP                          09. Dec 00................            6498
LX379...................................  IP                          22. Feb 00................            4632
LZ248...................................  IP                          23. Dec 99................            5839
LZ385...................................  IP                          17. Oct 01................            9072
LZ603...................................  IP                          22. Jun 99................               0
SG554...................................  IP                          20. Apr 00................            5735
SH863...................................  IP                          16. Dec 99................            5349
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted by reports of Sermetel coating (Omat 7/
46) applied to certain turbine discs which, if allowed to remain on 
the discs would react adversely with the disc dry film lubricant, 
causing uncontained HP or IP turbine disc failure, which could 
result in damage to the airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
HP or IP turbine disc failure, which could result in damage to the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Determining if Action Is Required

    (f) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, 
determine the SN of the HP turbine disc and the IP turbine disc. If 
none of the HP and IP turbine discs with SNs listed in Table 1 are 
installed in the engine, no further action is required.
    (g) If one or more of the discs with SNs listed in Table 1 of 
this AD are installed in the engine, do the following:
    (1) If the engine has had a full overhaul of the turbine after 
the shop visit at which the Sermetel coating (Omat 7/46) was 
applied, no further action is required.
    (2) If only the HP turbine disc is listed in Table 1, and the 
engine has RRD Service Bulletin No. Da72-533, Revision 3, dated 
October 2001, incorporated, no further action is required.

Removal of Sermetel Coating and Disc Inspection

    (3) Before accumulating 10,000 flight cycles since the coating 
was applied, completely remove Sermetel coating (Omat 7/46) from HP 
turbine discs and LP turbine discs. Information on coating removal 
can be found in RRD Overhaul Processes Manual, Overhaul Process 114.
    (4) Visually inspect HP turbine discs and LP turbine discs, and 
return to service discs that pass inspection. Information on disc 
pass or fail inspection criteria can be found in the RRD Engine 
Overhaul Manual, Chapter 72-6-1.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) Alternative methods of compliance must be requested in 
accordance with 14 CFR part 39.19, and must be approved by the 
Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) None.

Related Information

    (j) The subject of this AD is addressed in LBA airworthiness 
directive LTA 2003-015, dated February 6, 2003.


[[Page 51152]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 19, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21741 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P