[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 13 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2610-2612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-687]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24825; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-17-AD; 
Amendment 39-14894; AD 2007-02-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542, and 555 Series Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542, 
and 555 series turboprop engines. This AD requires a dimensional 
inspection of the intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) disk or an 
ultrasonic inspection of the seal arm contact between the high pressure 
turbine (HPT) and the IPT disk seal arm and rework or replacement of 
the IPT disk if wear outside acceptable limits is found. This AD 
results from reports of a number of HPT disk failures, some of which 
resulted in portions of the HPT disk being released. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent HPT disk failure, which can result in an uncontained 
engine failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 26, 2007. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of February 26, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this 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 on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC.

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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to RRD Dart 528, 529, 532, 
535, 542, and 555 series turboprop engines. We published the proposed 
AD in the Federal Register on July 11, 2006 (71 FR 39023). That action 
proposed to require a dimensional inspection of the IPT disk or an 
ultrasonic inspection of the seal arm contact between the HPT and the 
IPT disk seal arm and rework or replacement of the IPT disk if wear 
outside acceptable limits is found.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management 
Facility Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in 
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
the DMS receives them.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.

Request To Incorporate by Reference and Publish the SBs

    One commenter, the Modification and Replacement Parts Association 
(MARPA), requests that we incorporate by reference (IBR) the SBs 
referenced in the proposed AD. We agree. This final rule AD IBRs the 
documents necessary for accomplishing the requirements mandated by this 
AD. We did not change the AD.
    MARPA also requests that we publish those SBs that we IBR, in 
Docket File FAA-2006-24825 of the Docket Management System (DMS). We 
are reviewing issues surrounding posting of service bulletins on the 
DMS as part of an AD docket. Once we have thoroughly examined all 
aspects of this issue and have made a final determination, we will 
consider whether our current practice needs to be revised. No change to 
the final rule is necessary in response to this comment.

[[Page 2611]]

Change in Compliance Date

    We found it necessary to change the compliance date in paragraph 
(f)(2)(i), which requires performing a dimensional inspection and 
repairing or replacing the IPT disk, if necessary. We changed the date 
from December 30, 2006, to June 30, 2007.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 30 RRD Dart 528, 529, 532, 
535, 542, and 555 series turboprop engines installed on airplanes of 
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 50 work-hours 
per engine to perform the actions, and that the average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $50,000 per IPT disk. 
We estimate that 25 percent, or eight engines, will require IPT disk 
replacement. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
AD to U.S. operators to be $500,000.

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under 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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2007-02-07 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (formerly Rolls-Royce 
plc): Amendment 39-14894. Docket No. FAA-2006-24825; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NE-17-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 
26, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542, and 555 series turboprop engines. 
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Hawker Siddeley, 
Argosy AW.650, Fairchild Hiller F-27, F-27A, F-27B, F-27F, F-27G, F-
27J, FH-227, FH-227B, FH-227C, FH-227D, FH-227E, Fokker F.27 all 
marks; British Aircraft Corporation Viscount 744, 745D and 810; and 
Gulfstream G-159 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of a number of high pressure 
turbine (HPT) disk failures, some of which resulted in portions of 
the HPT disk being released. We are issuing this AD to prevent HPT 
disk failure, which can 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.

IPT Disk and HPT/IPT Disk Seal Arm Inspections

    (f) Within 60 days after the effective date of the AD, do either 
of the following:
    (1) Perform a dimensional inspection of the IPT disk and repair 
or replace the IPT disk, if necessary using paragraph 3 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of RRD service bulletin (SB) Da72-538, 
dated June 10, 2005; or
    (2) Perform an ultrasonic inspection of the disk seal arm 
contact between the HPT and the IPT using paragraph 3 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of RRD SB Da72-536, Revision 1, dated 
August 25, 2003.
    (i) If wear is outside allowable limits, before June 30, 2007, 
perform a dimensional inspection and repair or replace the IPT disk, 
if necessary. Use paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
RRD SB Da72-538, dated June 10, 2005.
    (ii) If wear is within allowable limits, perform a dimensional 
inspection of the IPT disk at the next engine shop visit or at next 
overhaul, whichever occurs first and repair or replace the IPT disk, 
if necessary. Use paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
RRD SB Da72-538, dated June 10, 2005.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) 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.

Related Information

    (h) LBA airworthiness directive D-2005-197, dated June 30, 2005, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.
    (i) 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; e-mail: [email protected] for more information 
about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG service 
information specified in Table 1 to perform the actions required by 
this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the documents listed in Table 1 of 
this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, D-15827 
Dahlewitz, Germany; telephone 49 (0) 33-7086-1768; fax 49 (0) 33-
7086-3356 for a copy of this service information. You may review 
copies at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
202-741-6030,

[[Page 2612]]

or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

                                      Table 1.--Incorporation by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Service Bulletin No.                 Page               Revision                       Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Da72-536............................  All..............  1.....................  August 25, 2003.
Total Pages: 23.....................
Da72-538............................  All..............  Original..............  June 10, 2005.
Total Pages: 21.....................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 12, 2007.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-687 Filed 1-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P