[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 9, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32285-32287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12958]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 111 / Wednesday, June 9, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 32285]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NE-37-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG, 
Model Tay 611-8, 620-15, 650-15, and 651-54 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) (formerly 
Rolls-Royce plc) Model Tay 611-8, 620-15, 650-15, and 651-54 turbofan 
engines, with low pressure (LP) fuel tube, part number (P/N) JR33021A, 
installed. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive 
inspections of the LP fuel tubes. This proposed AD would require the 
same inspections and adds a requirement to replace the fuel tube with a 
new design tube, as mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
inspections. This proposed AD results from the manufacturer introducing 
a new design fuel tube, which eliminates the unsafe condition. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent a dual-engine flameout due to fuel 
exhaustion, which could lead to forced landing and possible damage to 
the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by August 9, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2002-NE-37-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
     By fax: (781) 238-7055.
     By e-mail: [email protected]
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, D-15827 
DAHLEWITZ, Germany; telephone 49 (0) 33-7086-1768; fax 49 (0) 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: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone 781-238-
7747; fax 781-238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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. 2002-NE-37-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 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    On March 4, 2003, the FAA issued AD 2003-05-04, Amendment 39-13080 
(68 FR 11467, March 11, 2003). That AD requires:
     An initial inspection of LP fuel tube, P/N JR33021A, for 
fretting before further flight for Tay 620-15 and 650-15 turbofan 
engines.
     An initial inspection of LP fuel tube, P/N JR33021A, for 
fretting within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) or one month after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first for Tay 611-8 and 
651-54 turbofan engines.
     Repetitive inspections for fretting of the LP fuel tube at 
intervals not to exceed 2,000 hours TIS since the last inspection.
    The Luftfhart Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, notified the FAA that a leak from the LP fuel tube, P/N 
JR33021A, which connects the LP fuel flowmeter to the high pressure 
(HP) fuel pump, resulted in complete fuel exhaustion and subsequent 
dual engine flameout.

After AD 2003-05-04 Was Issued

    After AD 2003-05-4 was issued, RRD introduced a new design fuel 
tube that has improved routing and an improved mounting flange at the 
HP fuel pump end of the tube. Installation of this fuel tube is 
considered terminating action to the repetitive inspections of the fuel 
tube, and eliminates the unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of the 
following RRD service bulletins (SBs):
     SB TAY-73-1593, dated April 23, 2003, that specifies 
procedures for inspecting the LP fuel tube, P/N JR33021A, for fretting 
on Tay 620-15 and 650-15 turbofan engines.
     SB TAY-73-1553, Revision 2, dated April 23, 2003, that 
specifies procedures for inspecting the LP fuel tube, P/N JR33021A, for 
fretting on Tay 611-8 and 651-54 turbofan engines.
     SB TAY 73-1592, dated April 30, 2003, that specifies 
procedures for replacing fuel tubes on Tay 620-15, Tay 650-15, Tay 611-
8, and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines, with a new design fuel tube.

[[Page 32286]]

    The LBA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
AD No. 2002-358/5, dated November 18, 2003, in order to ensure the 
airworthiness of these engines in Germany.

Bilateral Agreement Information

    These engine models are type certificated in Germany, and 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. In keeping with this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. We have examined the findings of the 
LBA, 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 and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design, and we are proposing this AD. Since the 
effective date of AD 2003-05-04 was March 26, 2003, and all Tay 611-8, 
620-15, 650-15, and 651-54 engines should have completed the initial 
inspection, this AD would require:
     An initial inspection of the LP fuel tube for fretting 
before further flight.
     Repetitive inspections for fretting of the LP fuel tube, 
within 2,000 hours TIS after the last inspection.
     As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
inspections, replacement of fuel tubes with fewer than 4,000 hours TIS 
on the effective date of the proposed AD, with a new design fuel tube, 
within 10 additional cycles-in-service or before reaching 4,000 hours 
TIS, whichever occurs later.
     As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
inspections, replacement of fuel tubes with 4,000 hours or more TIS on 
the effective date of the proposed AD, with a new design fuel tube 
before June 30, 2005.
    The proposed AD would require that you do the inspections using the 
service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,300 RRD Model Tay 611-8, 620-15, 650-15, and 651-
54 turbofan engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We 
estimate that 1,206 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate that it would 
take about two work hours per engine to perform the proposed tube 
inspection, and two work hours per engine to perform the proposed tube 
replacement. The average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost about $1,300 per engine. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be 
$1,720,000.

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. 2002-NE-37-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

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 removing Amendment 39-13080 (68 FR 
11467, March 11, 2003) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, to 
read as follows:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG: Docket No. 2002-NE-37-AD. 
Supersedes AD 2003-05-04, Amendment 39-13080.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by August 9, 
2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2003-05-04, Amendment 39-13080.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG 
(RRD) (formerly Rolls-Royce plc) Model Tay 611-8, 620-15, 650-15, 
and 651-54 turbofan engines, with low pressure (LP) fuel tube, part 
number (P/N) JR33021A, installed. These engines are installed on, 
but not limited to, Fokker F.28 Mark 0100 airplanes, Supplemental 
Type Certificate No. SA842SW, Boeing 727 airplanes, and Gulfstream 
G-IV airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the manufacturer introducing a new 
design LP fuel tube which eliminates the unsafe condition. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent a dual-engine 
flameout due to fuel exhaustion which could lead to forced landing 
and possible 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.

Initial Inspection

    (f) Before further flight, for Tay 611-8 and 651-54 turbofan 
engines with Part 4 of RRD service bulletin (SB) TAY-73-1194 
incorporated, inspect the LP fuel tube for fretting, and replace as 
necessary. Use 3.C.1. through 3.C.13. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of RRD Service Bulletin (SB) No. TAY-73-1553, Revision 
2, dated April 23, 2003.
    (g) Before further flight, for Tay 620-15 and 650-15 turbofan 
engines, inspect the LP fuel tube for fretting, and replace as 
necessary. Use 3.C.1. through 3.C.13. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of RRD SB No. TAY-73-1593, dated April 23, 2003.

Repetitive Inspections

    (h) Thereafter, inspect the LP fuel tube for fretting, at 
intervals not to exceed 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) since the 
last inspection, and replace as necessary. Use 3.C.1. through 
3.C.13. of the Accomplishment Instructions of RRD SBs referenced in 
paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD.

Mandatory Terminating Action

    (i) As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive 
inspections required by this AD, replace fuel tube, P/N JR33021, 
with a fuel tube P/N that is not listed in this AD. Information on 
fuel tube replacement can be found in RRD SB No. TAY-73-1592, dated 
April 30, 2003. Use the following compliance times:
    (1) For fuel tubes with fewer than 4,000 hours TIS on the 
effective date of this AD, replace fuel tube within 10 additional 
cycles-in-service or before reaching 4,000 hours TIS, whichever 
occurs later.

[[Page 32287]]

    (2) For fuel tubes with 4,000 or more hours TIS on the effective 
date of this AD, replace fuel tube before June 30, 2005.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (j) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) None.

Related Information

    (1) Luftfhart Bundesamt airworthiness directive No. 2002-358/5, 
dated November 18, 2003, and Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG SB 
No. TAY-73-1592, dated April 30, 2003 also address the subject of 
this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 1, 2004.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-12958 Filed 6-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P