[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3233-3235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-951]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-13-AD; Amendment 39-13435; AD 2004-01-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-22B, RB211-
524, and RB211-535 Series Turbofan 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 plc (RR) RB211-22B, RB211-524, and RB211-535 series 
turbofan engines. This AD requires the installation of a front engine 
mount housing and link support assembly that has a serialized, life 
limited, spherical bearing installed. This AD results from reports of 
corrosion and fatigue cracks in the mount pins, the spherical bearings, 
and the support links and their respective spherical bearings. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the front engine mount housing 
and link support assembly due to cracks that could result in loss of 
the engine.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 27, 2004. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of February 27, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31 Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; 
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. 
You may examine the service information, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Frost, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-
7756; 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 RR RB211-22B, RB211-524, and RB211-535 series turbofan 
engines was published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2002 (67 
FR 8739). That action proposed to require disassembling and inspecting 
all engine mounts for cracks, refurbishing the engine mounts, and 
replacing the front mount thrust link spherical bearing in accordance 
with RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-71-5291, Revision 14, dated 
March 13, 2001.
    After we issued that NPRM, we became aware that the Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority for the U.K., 
cancelled AD 004-08-2000. CAA AD 004-08-2000 addressed disassembling 
and inspecting all engine mounts for cracks, refurbishing the engine 
mounts, and replacing the front mount thrust link spherical bearing. We 
were also informed that RR downgraded the category of SB No. RB.211-71-
5291, Revision 14, dated March 13, 2001, which required those actions, 
to recommend the actions instead of requiring them. RR has since issued 
a mandatory SB No. RB.211-71-D437, Revision 1, dated February 28, 2003, 
which introduces a serialized, life-limited, spherical bearing for the 
engine front mount housing and link support assembly. Since RR has also 
introduced requirements to inspect the engine front and rear mounts 
into the Time Limit Manual, compliance with the requirements of SB No. 
RB.211-71-5291 is no longer required.The CAA has issued AD 005-04-2002, 
dated April 2002, to mandate compliance with the new requirements 
included in RR Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. RB.211-71-D437, 
Revision 1, dated February 28, 2003.
    Since this change expands the scope of the originally proposed 
rule, we determined that it was necessary to reopen the comment period 
to provide additional opportunity for public comment. As a result, we 
published a supplemental proposed AD that applies to RR RB211-22B, 
RB211-524, and RB211-535 series turbofan engines in the Federal 
Register on July 31, 2003 (68 FR 44902). That action proposed to 
require the installation of a front engine mount housing and link 
support assembly that has a serialized, life limited spherical bearing 
installed in accordance with RR MSB No. RB.211-71-D437, Revision 1, 
dated February 28, 2003.

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.

Update Title of Table 2

    One commenter requests that the FAA update the title of Table 2 
from ``Table 2. Module 04 Reworked part numbers (P/Ns)'' to ``Table 2. 
Module 07 Reworked P/Ns''. The commenter also requests that the list of 
Module 07 P/Ns in Table 2 be completed. The FAA agrees. Table 2 was 
incomplete and has been changed.

P/Ns Not Applicable to RB211-535 Series Engines

    One commenter notes that RB211-535 operators need to be informed 
that the ``existing'' and ``reworked'' module 07 P/Ns in Table 2 are 
not included in the RB211-535 Engine Manual. The FAA agrees and 
paragraph (b) has been changed to indicate this.

Credit for Previous Compliance

    One commenter requests that the final rule allow credit for 
previous compliance with the initial issuance of RR No. SB RB.211-71-
D437. We do not agree. Revision 1 expands the Accomplishment 
Instructions to include the requirement to control the spherical bush 
life by recording the part serial numbers as specified in the Time 
Limits Manual, and defines a repetitive inspection of the front mounts 
as specified in the Time Limits Manual.

Editorial Comment

    We have corrected a minor mathematical error in the Supplemental 
NPRM Cost of Compliance section in the final rule.
    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 about 2,214 RR RB211-22B, RB211-524, and RB211-535 series 
turbofan engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We 
estimate that about 620 RB211-535 engines, and about 45 RB211-524 and 
RB211-22B engines installed on airplanes of U.S.

[[Page 3234]]

registry, would be affected by this AD. We also estimate that no 
additional labor costs would be incurred to perform the actions. We 
anticipate that the new hardware will be installed while the module is 
inducted into the shop for routine maintenance inspection before the 
compliance expiration date of this AD. The cost of a new serialized 
spherical bearing is about $592 for RB211-535 engines, $895 for RB211-
524 engines, and $1,990 for RB211-22B engines. Based on these figures, 
the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be $431,952.

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) 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

0
Accordingly, under 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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2004-01-21 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-13435. Docket No. 2001-NE-
13-AD.

Applicability

    This AD is applicable to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-22B, RB211-524, 
and RB211-535 series turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, 
but not limited to, Boeing 747, 757, 767, Lockheed L-1011, and Tupolev 
Tu204-120 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 (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 failure of the front engine mount due to cracks, that 
could result in loss of the engine, do the following at the next Module 
07 shop visit after the effective date of this AD, but no later than 
April 1, 2011.
    (a) Replace the existing engine front mount housing and link 
support assembly listed in Table 1 of this AD with new production part 
number (P/N) front mount housing and link support assembly, or with a 
reworked assembly. Use paragraph 3 of Accomplishment Instructions of 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. RB. 211-71-D437, Revision 1, dated 
February 28, 2003. Table 1 follows:

  Table 1.--Front Mount Housing and Link Support Assembly Existing P/Ns
                            and Reworked P/Ns
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            New production or reworked P/
               Existing P/N                               N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LK83038...................................  FW18695
LK83047...................................  FW18686
LK83057...................................  FW18691
LK83072...................................  FW18696
LK83110...................................  FW18697
LK83114...................................  FW18698
UL10472...................................  FW18694
UL25694...................................  FW18688
UL27054...................................  FW18687
UL27601...................................  FW18693
UL27612...................................  FW18689
UL27613...................................  FW18684
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    (b) Except for RB211-535 engines, mark the Modules 07 after the 
rework with a new P/N as specified in the following Table 2:

                    Table 2.--Module 07 Reworked P/Ns
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Existing P/N                         Reworked P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MO7127....................................  MO7159
MO7130....................................  MO7156
MO7133....................................  MO7153
MO7134....................................  MO7152
MO7135....................................  MO7154
MO7149....................................  MO7158
MO7150....................................  MO7155
MO7151....................................  MO7157
MO7202....................................  MO7214
MO7206....................................  MO7216
MO7207....................................  MO7215
MO7208....................................  MO7213
MO7209....................................  MO7212
MO7210....................................  MO7217
MO7552AA..................................  MO7563AC
MO7552AB..................................  MO7563AB
MO7554AA..................................  MO7566AB
MO7554AB..................................  MO7566AA
MO7556AA..................................  MO7563AA
MO7557AA..................................  MO7563AD
MO756OAG..................................  MO7564AB
MO756OAH..................................  MO7564AC
MO756OAI..................................  MO7564AD
MO7561AG..................................  MO7565AA
MO7561AH..................................  MO7565AB
MO7561AI..................................  MO7565AC
MO7561AJ..................................  MO7565AD
MO7561AK..................................  MO7563AE
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    (c) Information on engine front mount housing and link support 
assembly disassembly, inspection, replacement of the time limited 
spherical bearing, and reassembly, can be found in RR Engine Manual, 
section 71-21-01.

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. 
Operators must submit their request through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  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 done.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference

    (f) The actions specified in the AD must be done in accordance 
with Rolls-Royce plc MSB No. RB.211-71-D437, Revision 1, dated 
February 28, 2003. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the

[[Page 3235]]

Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
England, DE24 8BJ; telephone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-
249936. 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 005-04-2002, dated April 2002.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on February 27, 2004.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 8, 2004.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-951 Filed 1-22-04; 8:45 am]
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