[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 196 (Thursday, October 9, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58291-58293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25578]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211-535C-37, RB211-535E4-37, RB211-
535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 turbofan engines with radial drive 
steady bearing part number (P/N) LK76084 installed. This proposed AD 
would require initial and repetitive visual inspections of the engine 
oil scavenge filter for evidence of radial drive steady bearing 
failure, and if necessary radial drive steady bearing inspection for 
damage and evidence of bearing debris. This proposed AD is prompted by 
reports of seven low time failures of radial drive steady bearings 
within a four-month period. We are proposing this AD to prevent a 
possible dual-engine in-flight shutdown caused by radial drive steady 
bearing failure.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by December 8, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
    [sbull] By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2003-NE-31-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
    [sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected].
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31 Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom (UK); 
telephone 011-44-1332-242424; fax 011-44-1332-249936.
    You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7178; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 58292]]

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-31-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a 
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and 
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received 
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those 
comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the U.K., recently notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on RR models RB211-535C-37, RB211-535E4-37, RB211-
535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 turbofan engines with radial drive 
steady bearing P/N LK76084 installed. The CAA received reports of seven 
low time failures of radial drive steady bearings within a four-month 
period. These failures were not detected through routine magnetic chip 
detector monitoring because the failed bronze bearing cages are 
nonmagnetic, and the cage failure mode is rapid.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of RR 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. RB.211-72-C815, Revision 3, dated 
October 5, 2000, that describes procedures for scavenge filter 
inspection, and if necessary, radial drive steady bearing inspection 
for failure debris. The CAA classified this MSB as mandatory and issued 
airworthiness directive 005-07-99, dated July 30, 1999, in order to 
ensure the airworthiness of these RR models RB211-535C-37, RB211-535E4-
37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 turbofan engines in the U.K.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Manufacturer's Service 
Information

    Although RR MSB No. RB.211-72-C815, Revision 3, dated October 5, 
2000, Accomplishment Instructions require an engine acceptance 
inspection, this proposal does not require an engine acceptance 
inspection because pre-Service Bulletin RB.211-72-C925 new or low time 
radial drive steady bearings are no longer available. Also, instead of 
the MSB requirement that inspections be triggered when a continuous 
illumination of the filter blockage warning light occurs, this proposal 
adds a repetitive inspection at 500 engine operating hour intervals 
after initial inspection to coincide with every airframe ``A'' check.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These RR models RB211-535C-37, RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, 
and RB211-535E4-B-75 turbofan engines, manufactured in the U.K., are 
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 us informed 
of the situation described above. We have examined the CAA's findings, 
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. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require initial and repetitive visual inspections of the 
engine oil scavenge filter for evidence of radial drive steady bearing 
failure, and if necessary, radial drive steady bearing inspection for 
damage and evidence of bearing debris. Radial drive steady bearings 
with engine operating hours of 3,000 or more are not affected by this 
proposed AD. The proposed AD would require you to use the service 
information described previously to perform these actions.

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

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

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,078 RR model RB211-535C-37, RB211-535E4-37, 
RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 turbofan engines of the affected 
design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 288 of these model 
engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by 
this proposed AD. We also estimate that it would take about four work 
hours per engine to perform the proposed actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required replacement scavenge filters 
would cost about $100 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the total cost of one inspection per year in the proposed AD, to U.S. 
operators to be $97,920.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. Would 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 proposal 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-31-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

[[Page 58293]]

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. 2003-NE-31-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness 
directive (AD) action by December 8, 2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) models RB211-535C-
37, RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 turbofan 
engines with radial drive steady bearing part number LK76084 
installed with fewer than 3,000 engine operating hours accumulated 
on the bearing. Radial drive steady bearings with engine operating 
hours of 3,000 or more are not affected by this proposed AD. These 
engines are installed on, but not limited to Boeing 757 and Tupolev 
Tu204 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of seven low time failures 
of radial drive steady bearings within a four-month period. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent a possible dual-engine in-flight shutdown 
caused by radial drive steady bearing failure.

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.

Initial Visual Inspection

    (f) Perform an initial inspection of the engine scavenge filter 
for evidence of radial drive steady bearing failure, within 300 
engine operating hours or 45 days after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs first, and replace parts as necessary. Use 
paragraph 3.B. of Accomplishment Instructions of RR Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. RB.211-72-C815, Revision 3, dated October 
5, 2000, to do the inspection and parts replacements.

Repetitive Visual Inspections

    (g) Thereafter, for radial drive steady bearings with less than 
3,000 engine operating hours, perform repetitive inspections of the 
engine scavenge filter for evidence of radial drive steady bearing 
failure, at intervals not to exceed 500 engine operating hours since 
the previous inspection, and replace parts as necessary. Use 
paragraph 3.C. of Accomplishment Instructions of RR MSB No. RB.211-
72-C815, Revision 3, dated October 5, 2000, to do the inspections 
and parts replacements.

Rejected Bearings

    (h) Send rejected bearings, together with the associated 
scavenge filter, to Rolls-Royce for analysis.

Reporting Requirements

    (i) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
reporting requirements specified in paragraph 3. of RR MSB No. 
RB.211-72-C815, Revision 3, dated October 5, 2000, and assigned OMB 
control number 2120-0056.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (j) You must request AMOCs as specified in 14 CFR 39.19. All 
AMOCs must be approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office, 
FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Rolls-Royce plc Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
RB.211-72-C815, Revision 3, dated October 5, 2000, to perform the 
inspections and parts replacements required by this AD. Approval of 
incorporation by reference from the Office of the Federal Register 
is pending.

Related Information

    (l) CAA airworthiness directive 005-07-99, dated July 30, 1999, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 3, 2003
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25578 Filed 10-8-03; 8:45 am]
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