[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17035-17037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4922]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Model RB211 Trent 892, 
884, 877, 875, and 892B Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); rescission.

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to rescind an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Model RB211 Trent 892, 884, 
877, 875, and 892B series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires 
inspecting and replacing certain angle gearbox and intermediate gearbox 
hardware, and on-going repetitive inspections of the magnetic chip 
detectors. This action would rescind all the requirements of AD 97-06-
13, Amendment 39-9970, Docket No. 97-ANE-09. This proposed rescission 
results from the FAA determining that the inspections and replacements 
required by that AD are no longer required to correct an unsafe 
condition. Operators should, however, incorporate those inspections and 
replacements into their normal maintenance practices.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD rescission by 
June 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD rescission:
     By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 97-ANE-09-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803.
     By fax: (781) 238-7055.

[[Page 17036]]

     By e-mail: [email protected].
    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: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace 
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 97-ANE-09'' 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 rescission in light 
of those comments.

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

    On April 14, 1997, we issued AD 97-06-13, Amendment 39-9970, Docket 
No. 97-ANE-09 (62 FR 23339, April 30, 1997), for RR Model RB211 Trent 
892, 884, 877, 875, and 892B series turbofan engines. That AD requires 
inspecting and replacing certain angle gearbox and intermediate gearbox 
hardware, and on-going repetitive inspections of the magnetic chip 
detectors on Trent 800 series engines.

Actions Since Issuing AD 97-06-13

    Since issuing AD 97-06-13, we issued a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on October 25, 1999, to revise the AD to include 
additional optional terminating action to the gearbox hardware 
inspections, and to extend the intervals for the magnetic chip detector 
inspections. The Trent 800 fleet has grown in size and matured in fleet 
experience. Based on the current Trent 800 fleet and the service 
experience demonstrated since we published the AD and NPRM, the 
underlying unsafe conditions no longer justify that AD.

FAA's Conclusions

    After reviewing the available data, we determined it is appropriate 
to rescind AD 97-06-13 to eliminate the mandate to perform inspections 
and hardware replacements. The inspections and hardware replacements 
are no longer required to correct an unsafe condition. Operators should 
however, incorporate those inspections and replacements into their 
normal maintenance schedules. Our determination is based on the 
following:
    We based AD 97-06-13 on a determination of unsafe conditions on a 
fleet of engines that had a total operating experience of 29,000 hours. 
Today's fleet of engines has over 1.6 million operating hours, with a 
basic in-flight shutdown rate of well below acceptable levels. Fleet 
experience does not support the original unsafe condition 
determination.
    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, determined that their AD on the 
subject is no longer needed. They withdrew their AD, and they recommend 
we do likewise. Rolls-Royce plc, with CAA approval, withdrew the 
inspection service bulletins referenced in the AD. The fleet has 
completely incorporated the modifications required by AD 97-06-13, 
intended to prevent oil leaks.
    This proposed action would rescind AD 97-06-13. Rescission of AD 
97-06-13 would constitute only such action and if followed by a final 
action would not preclude the agency from issuing another action in the 
future nor would it commit the agency to any course of action in the 
future.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed rescission would not have 
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed 
rescission 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 
rescission:
    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.

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 the following 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Roll-Royce plc: Docket No. 97-ANE-09; AD 97-06-13; Amendment 39-
9970.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD rescission by June 5, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This document rescinds AD 97-06-13.

Applicability

    (c) This AD rescission applies to Rolls-Royce plc Model RB211 
Trent 892, 884, 877, 875, and 892B series turbofan engines.


[[Page 17037]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 30, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4922 Filed 4-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P