[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26282-26284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6737]



[[Page 26282]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-61-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Tay 
650-15 and Tay 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) Tay 650-15 
turbofan engines. That AD currently establishes cyclic life limits for 
certain part number (P/N) stage 1 high pressure turbine (HPT) discs and 
stage 1 (LPT) discs operating under certain flight plan profiles. This 
proposed AD would add Tay 651-54 turbofan engines to the applicability. 
This proposed AD would also require removing certain stage 1 HPT discs 
and stage 1 LPT discs at reduced cyclic life limits using a drawdown 
schedule. This proposed AD results from RRD updating their low-cycle-
fatigue (LCF) analysis for stage 1 HPT discs and stage 1 LPT discs and 
reducing their cyclic life limits. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
cracks leading to turbine disc failure, which could result in an 
uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 3, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 99-NE-61-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803.
     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, 15872 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany, telephone 49-0-33-7086-1768; fax 49-0-33-
7086-3356.
    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: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7747, 
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. 99-NE-61-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.

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 7, 2000, we issued AD 2000-08-01, Amendment 39-11687 (65 
FR 20714, April 18, 2000). That AD establishes Tay 650-15 cyclic life 
limits for stage 1 HPT discs, P/N JR32013 and P/N JR33838, and stage 1 
LPT discs, P/N JR32318A operating under certain flight plan profiles. 
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Germany, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on Tay 650-15 
and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines. The LBA advises that the current 
cyclic life limits for stage 1 HPT discs, P/N JR32013 and P/N JR33838, 
installed in Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines are too high.

Actions Since AD 2000-08-01 Was Issued

    Since AD 2000-08-01 was issued, RRD updated their LCF analysis for 
stage 1 HPT discs, P/N JR32013 and P/N JR33838, and stage 1 LPT discs, 
P/N JR32318A, installed in Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines. 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland issued service information based on the LCF 
analysis.

Special Flight Permits Paragraph Removed

    Paragraph (d) of the current AD, AD 2000-08-01, contains a 
paragraph pertaining to special flight permits. Even though this 
proposed AD does not contain a similar paragraph, we have made no 
changes with regard to the use of special flight permits to operate the 
airplane to a repair facility to do the work required by this proposed 
AD. In July 2002, we published a new part 39 that contains a general 
authority regarding special flight permits and airworthiness 
directives; see Docket No. FAA-2004-8460, Amendment 39-9474 (69 FR 
47998, July 22, 2002). Thus, when we now supersede ADs we will not 
include a specific paragraph on special flight permits unless we want 
to limit the use of that general authority granted in section 39.23.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of RRD Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. Tay-72-A1676, Revision 1, dated August 16, 
2005, that contains updated cyclic life limits. That ASB also describes 
procedures for calculating and re-establishing the achieved cyclic life 
of discs that have been exposed to different flight plans. That ASB 
also contains cyclic life limit drawdown schedules for discs in engine 
flight plan profiles B, C, and D. The LBA classified this ASB as 
mandatory. With European Aviation Safety Agency approval, the LBA 
issued AD No. D-2005-252R1, dated August 31, 2005, to ensure the 
airworthiness of these Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines in 
Germany.

Bilateral Agreement Information

    These engine models are manufactured 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.

[[Page 26283]]

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. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require, for Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 engines:
     Calculating and re-establishing the achieved cyclic life 
of stage 1 HPT discs, P/N JR32013 and P/N JR33838, and stage 1 LPT 
discs, P/N JR32318A, that have been exposed to different flight plans; 
and
     Removing those stage 1 HPT discs and stage 1 LPT discs 
operated under engine flight plans A, B, C, and D at reduced cyclic 
life limits, using a drawdown schedule for certain discs and profiles.
    The proposed AD would require that you do these actions using the 
service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 50 Tay 650-15 and 
Tay 651-54 turbofan engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it would take about one workhour per engine to 
calculate and re-establish the achieved cyclic life for a disc, and 
that the average labor rate is $80 per workhour. We estimate that the 
prorated cost of the life reduction per engine would be $15,000. Based 
on these figures, we estimate that if all of the engines required 
calculating and re-establishing achieved cyclic life, the total cost of 
the proposed AD to U.S. operators would be $752,000.

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 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. 99-NE-61-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 39-11687 (65 FR 
20714, April 18, 2000) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, to 
read as follows:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (formerly Rolls-Royce plc): 
Docket No. 99-NE-61-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by July 3, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2000-08-01, Amendment 39-11687.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines with stage 1 high 
pressure turbine (HPT) discs, part number (P/N) JR32013 and P/N 
JR33838, and stage 1 low pressure turbine (LPT) discs, P/N JR32318A, 
installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, 
Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100, and Boeing 727-100 series airplanes 
modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SA8472SW (727 QF).

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from RRD updating their low-cycle-fatigue 
(LCF) analysis for stage 1 HPT discs and stage 1 LPT discs and 
reducing their cyclic life limits. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
cracks leading to turbine disc failure, which could result in an 
uncontained engine failure and 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.
    (f) Information on the referenced engine flight plan profiles A, 
B, C, and D can be found in RRD Tay Engine Manual, Section 70-01-10.

Calculating and Re-Establishing Within 30 Days, the Achieved Cyclic 
Life of a Stage 1 HPT or Stage 1 LPT Disc Previously Exposed to 
Different Flight Plan(s)

    (g) If a stage 1 HPT disc or stage 1 LPT disc was previously 
exposed to flight plan(s) different than the currently operated 
flight plan:
    (1) You must calculate and re-establish the achieved cyclic life 
for that disc, within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Use paragraphs 3.A. through 3.D.(2)(c) of Accomplishment 
Instructions of RRD Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. Tay-72-A1676, 
Revision 1, dated August 16, 2005, to calculate and re-establish the 
achieved cyclic life.

After an Engine Flight Plan Changeover, Calculating and Re-Establishing 
Within 30 Days, the Achieved Cyclic Life of Stage 1 HPT Discs and Stage 
1 LPT Discs

    (h) After an engine has a flight plan changeover:
    (1) You must calculate and re-establish the achieved cyclic life 
for the stage 1 HPT disc and stage 1 LPT disc, within 30 days after 
the flight plan changeover.
    (2) Use paragraphs 3.A. through 3.D.(2)(c) of Accomplishment 
Instructions of RRD ASB No. Tay-72-A1676, Revision 1, dated August 
16, 2005, to calculate and re-establish the achieved cyclic life.

Removal of Stage 1 HPT Discs and Stage 1 LPT Discs From Service Tay 
650-15 Engine Flight Plan Profile A

    (i) Remove from service Tay 650-15 stage 1 HPT discs and stage 1 
LPT discs operated under flight plan profile A, before accumulating 
23,000 cycles-since-new (CSN), and replace with serviceable parts.

[[Page 26284]]

Tay 650-15 Engine Flight Plan Profile B

    (j) Remove from service Tay 650-15 stage 1 HPT discs operated 
under flight plan profile B and replace with serviceable parts:
    (1) On or before July 31, 2007, before accumulating 21,000 CSN; 
and
    (2) After July 31, 2007, before accumulating 20,000 CSN.
    (k) Remove from service Tay 650-15 stage 1 LPT discs operated 
under flight plan profile B, before accumulating 21,000 CSN, and 
replace with serviceable parts.

Tay 650-15 Engine Flight Plan Profile C

    (l) Remove from service Tay 650-15 stage 1 HPT discs operated 
under flight plan profile C and replace with serviceable parts:
    (1) On or before August 31, 2006, before accumulating 18,000 
CSN; and
    (2) After August 31, 2006, but on or before July 31, 2007, 
before accumulating 15,800 CSN; and
    (3) After July 31, 2007, before accumulating 14,700 CSN.
    (m) Remove from service Tay 650-15 stage 1 LPT discs operated 
under flight plan profile C, before accumulating 18,000 CSN, and 
replace with serviceable parts.

Tay 650-15 Engine Flight Plan Profile D

    (n) Remove from service Tay 650-15 stage 1 HPT discs operated 
under flight plan profile D and replace with serviceable parts:
    (1) On or before August 31, 2006, before accumulating 14,250 
CSN; and
    (2) After August 31, 2006, before accumulating 11,000 CSN.
    (o) Remove from service Tay 650-15 stage 1 LPT discs operated 
under flight plan profile D, before accumulating 14,250 CSN, and 
replace with serviceable parts.

Tay 651-54 Engines

    (p) Remove from service Tay 651-54 stage 1 HPT discs and replace 
with serviceable parts:
    (1) On or before August 31, 2006, before accumulating 14,250 
CSN; and
    (2) After August 31, 2006, before accumulating 12,600 CSN.
    (q) Remove from service Tay 651-54 stage 1 LPT discs before 
accumulating 20,000 CSN and replace with serviceable parts.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Related Information

    (s) Luftfahrt-Bundesamt airworthiness directive No. D-2005-
252R1, dated August 31, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 27, 2006.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-6737 Filed 5-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P