[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6838-6840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2028]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27824; Directorate Identifier 2003-NE-12-AD; 
Amendment 39-15364; AD 2006-11-05R2]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Series Turbofan 
Engines

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-22B series, RB211-524B, -524C2, -524D4, 
-524G2, -524G3, and -524H series, and RB211-535C and -535E series 
turbofan engines with high pressure compressor (HPC) stage 3 disc 
assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) LK46210, LK58278, LK67634, LK76036, 
UL11706, UL15358, UL22577, UL22578, and UL24738 installed. That AD 
currently requires removing from service certain disc assemblies before 
they reach their full published life if not modified with anticorrosion 
protection. This AD requires the same actions but relaxes the removal 
compliance time for certain disc assemblies that have a record of 
detailed inspection. This AD results from the FAA allowing certain 
affected disc assemblies that have a record of a detailed inspection, 
to remain in service for a longer period than the previous AD allowed. 
We are issuing this AD to relax the compliance time for disc assemblies 
manufactured both ``before and after 1990'' by providing an option to 
track the disc life based on a record of a detailed inspection rather 
than by its entry into service date, while continuing to prevent 
corrosion-induced uncontained disc assembly failure, resulting in 
damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective February 21, 2008. The Director of the Federal 
Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of February 24, 2004 (69 FR 
2661, January 20, 2004).
    We must receive any comments on this AD by April 7, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: U.S. Docket Management Facility, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Contact Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; 
telephone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-245-418, for the 
service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 15, 2006, the FAA issued AD 2006-11-
05, Amendment 39-14609 (71 FR 29586, May 23, 2006). We also issued a 
correction to that AD on September 26, 2006 (71 FR 58254, October 3, 
2006) and a revision to that AD on April 9, 2007 (72 FR 18862, April 
16, 2007). That AD revision requires removing from service certain disc 
assemblies before they reach their full published life if not modified 
with anticorrosion protection. That AD was the result of the 
manufacturer's reassessment of the corrosion risk on HPC stage 3 disc 
assemblies that have not yet been modified with sufficient application 
of anticorrosion protection. That condition, if not corrected, could 
result in corrosion-induced uncontained disc assembly failure, 
resulting in damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2006-11-05R1 Was Issued

    Since AD 2006-11-05R1 was issued, we discovered that the population 
of affected disc assemblies identified in that AD was incorrect. That 
AD allowed affected disc assemblies that entered into service ``before 
1990'' that have a record of a detailed inspection, to remain in 
service for a longer period than the previous AD, AD 2006-11-05, 
allowed. This revised AD allows disc assemblies manufactured both 
``before and after 1990'' that have a record of a detailed inspection, 
to remain in service for 17 years from last overhaul inspection date. 
But the discs are not to exceed the manufacturer's published cyclic 
limit in the time limits section of the manual. We are issuing this AD 
to relax the compliance time for certain disc assemblies by providing 
an option to track the disk life based on a record of a detailed 
inspection rather than by its entry into service date, while continuing 
to prevent corrosion-induced uncontained disc assembly failure, 
resulting in damage to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of RR MSB No. 
RB.211-72-9661, Revision 5, dated December 22, 2006. That MSB allows 
affected disc assemblies and that have a record of detailed inspection:
     To remain in service for 17 years from last overhaul 
inspection date; but
     Not to exceed the manufacturer's published cyclic limit in 
the time limits section of the manual.

We do not incorporate by reference this MSB, but we list it in the 
Related Information section.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    This engine model is manufactured in the United Kingdom (UK), and 
is 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. Under this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for the UK, has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. We have examined the 
findings of the CAA, 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 This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other RR RB211-22B series, RB211-524B, -524C2, -524D4, -
524G2, -524G3, and -524H series, and RB211-535C and -535E series 
turbofan engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to 
relax the compliance time for certain disc assemblies by providing an 
option to track the disk life based on a record of a detailed 
inspection rather than by its entry into service date, while continuing 
to prevent corrosion-induced uncontained disc assembly failure, 
resulting in damage to the airplane. This AD requires the following for 
affected HPC stage 3 rotor disc assemblies:

[[Page 6839]]

     Removing affected disc assemblies from service; and
     Re-machining, inspecting, and applying anticorrosion 
protection; and
     Re-marking, and returning disc assemblies into service; 
and
     Allowing affected disc assemblies that have a record of a 
detailed inspection, to remain in service for 17 years from last 
overhaul inspection date but not to exceed the manufacturer's published 
cyclic limit in the time limits section of the manual.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable. Good cause 
exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2007-27824; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NE-12-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the 
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as 
the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 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.
    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
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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-15026 (72 FR 
18862, April 16, 2007) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-15364, to read as follows:

2006-11-05R2 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-15364. Docket No. FAA-
2007-27824; Directorate Identifier 2003-NE-12-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 
21, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD revises AD 2006-11-05R1, Amendment 39-15026.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-22B series, 
RB211-524B, -524C2, -524D4, -524G2, -524G3, and -524H series, and 
RB211-535C and -535E series turbofan engines with high pressure 
compressor (HPC) stage 3 disc assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) 
LK46210, LK58278, LK67634, LK76036, UL11706, UL15358, UL22577, 
UL22578, and UL24738 installed. These engines are installed on, but 
not limited to, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Lockheed L-1011, 
and Tupolev Tu204 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the FAA allowing certain affected disc 
assemblies that have a record of a detailed inspection, to remain in 
service for a longer period than the previous AD allowed. We are 
issuing this AD to relax the compliance time for disc assemblies 
manufactured both `` before and after 1990'' by providing an option 
to track the disc life based on a record of a detailed inspection 
rather than by its entry into service date, while continuing to 
prevent corrosion-induced uncontained disc assembly failure, 
resulting in 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.

Removal of HPC Stage 3 Disc Assemblies

    (f) Remove from service affected HPC stage 3 disc assemblies 
identified in the following Table 1, using one of the following 
criteria:

[[Page 6840]]



                                 Table 1.--Affected HPC Stage 3 Disc Assemblies
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                                                                                                 Rework band for
                                                                                                   cyclic life
                                                             Rework band for                     accumulated on
                                                               cyclic life     Rework band for   disc assemblies
                                                             accumulated on      cyclic life      P/Ns LK76036,
                                                             disc assemblies   accumulated on       UL11706,
                       Engine model                         P/Ns LK46210 and  disc assembly P/      UL15358,
                                                             LK58278 (pre RR   N LK67634 (pre       UL22577,
                                                            Service Bulletin  RR SB No. RB.211-   UL22578, and
                                                            (SB) No. RB.211-      72-5420)       UL24738 (pre RR
                                                                72-5420)                        SB No. RB.211-72-
                                                                                                      9434)
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-22B series...............................................       4,000-6,200      7,000-10,000     11,500-14,000
-535E4 series.............................................               N/A               N/A      9,000-15,000
-524B-02, B-B-02, B3-02, and B4 series, Pre and Post             4,000-6,000       7,000-9,000     11,500-14,000
 accomplishment of SB No. 72-7730.........................
-524B2 and C2 series, Pre SB No. 72-7730..................       4,000-6,000       7,000-9,000     11,500-14,000
-524B2-B-19 and C2-B-19 series, SB No. 72-7730............       4,000-6,000       7,000-9,000      8,500-11,000
-524D4 series, Pre SB No. 72-7730.........................       4,000-6,000       7,000-9,000     11,500-14,000
-524D4-B series, SB No. 72-7730...........................       4,000-6,000       7,000-9,000      8,500-11,000
-524G2, G3, H, and H2 series..............................       4,000-6,000       7,000-9,000      8,500-11,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) For disc assemblies that entered into service before 1990, 
remove disc assembly and rework as specified in paragraph (g)(2) of 
this AD, on or before January 4, 2007, but not to exceed the upper 
cyclic limit in Table 1 of this AD before rework. Disc assemblies 
reworked may not exceed the manufacturer's published cyclic limit in 
the time limits section of the manual.
    (2) For disc assemblies that entered into service in 1990 or 
later, remove disc assembly within the cyclic life rework bands in 
Table 1 of this AD, or within 17 years after the date of the disc 
assembly entering into service, whichever is sooner, but not to 
exceed the upper cyclic limit of Table 1 of this AD before rework. 
Disc assemblies reworked may not exceed the manufacturer's published 
cyclic limit in the time limits section of the manual.
    (3) For disc assemblies that when new, were modified with an 
application of anticorrosion protection and re-marked to P/N LK76036 
(not previously machined) as specified by part 1 of the original 
issue of RR SB No. RB.211-72-5420, dated April 20, 1979, remove 
RB211-22B series disc assemblies before accumulating 10,000 cycles-
in-service (CIS), and remove RB211-524 series disc assemblies before 
accumulating 9,000 CIS.
    (4) If the disc assembly date of entry into service cannot be 
determined, the date of disc assembly manufacture may be obtained 
from RR and used instead.
    (5) Disc assemblies in RB211-535C series operation are 
unaffected by the interim rework cyclic band limits in Table 1 of 
this AD, but must meet the calendar life requirements of either 
paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, as applicable.

Optional Rework of HPC Stage 3 Disc Assemblies

    (g) Rework HPC stage 3 disc assemblies that were removed in 
paragraph (f) of this AD as follows:
    (1) For disc assemblies that when new, were modified with an 
application of anticorrosion protection and re-marked to P/N LK76036 
(not previously machined) as specified by Part 1 of the original 
issue of RR SB RB.211-72-5420, dated April 20, 1979, rework disc 
assemblies and re-mark to either P/N LK76034 or P/N LK78814 using 
paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR SB No. 
RB.211-72-5420, Revision 4, dated February 29, 1980. This rework 
constitutes terminating action to the removal requirements in 
paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (2) For all other disc assemblies, rework using Paragraph 3.B. 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR SB No. RB.211-72-9434, 
Revision 4, dated January 12, 2000. This rework constitutes 
terminating action to the removal requirements in paragraph (f) of 
this AD.
    (3) If rework is done on disc assemblies that are removed before 
the disc assembly reaches the lower life of the cyclic life rework 
band in Table 1 of this AD, artificial aging of the disc assembly to 
the lower life of the rework band, at time of rework, is required.
    (4) Disc assemblies that have a record of detailed inspection, 
regardless of the date of entry into service, are allowed to remain 
in service for 17 years from last overhaul inspection date but not 
to exceed the manufacturer's published cyclic limit in the time 
limits section of the manual.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) 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

    (i) Civil Aviation Authority AD 004-01-94, dated January 4, 
2002, and RR Mandatory Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-9661, Revision 
5, dated December 22, 2006, pertain to the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Rolls-Royce plc Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-
5420, Revision 4, dated February 29, 1980, and Rolls-Royce plc 
Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-9434, Revision 4, dated January 12, 
2000, to perform the rework required by this AD. The Director of the 
Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference 
of these service bulletins in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51, as of February 24, 2004 (69 FR 2661, January 20, 2004). 
You can get copies from Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, England, 
DE248BJ; telephone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-245-418. 
You can review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    (k) Contact Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; 
telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information 
about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 25, 2008.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-2028 Filed 2-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P