[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27973-27975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11997]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0521; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-524C2 Series 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as: A number of LPT casings have been found cracked during 
engine shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing reduces the capability of 
the casing to contain debris in the event of an LPT stage 1 blade 
failure. Therefore, blade failure in an engine featuring a cracked LPT 
casing may result in release of uncontained high energy debris. For the 
reason described above, this AD requires repetitive inspections and 
corrective actions, depending on

[[Page 27974]]

findings. We are proposing this AD to detect cracks in the LPT casings, 
which could result in the release of uncontained high-energy debris in 
the event of a stage 1 blade failure. Uncontained high-energy debris 
could result in damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 6, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. 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, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United 
Kingdom; telephone 011 44 1332 242424; fax 011 44 1332 249936 for the 
service information identified in this proposed AD.

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 proposed 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0521; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    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 proposed AD. Using the search 
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any 
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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).

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0083, dated April 16, 2009 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A number of LPT casings have been found cracked during engine 
shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing reduces the capability of the 
casing to contain debris in the event of an LPT stage 1 blade 
failure. Therefore, blade failure in an engine featuring a cracked 
LPT casing may result in release of uncontained high energy debris.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Rolls-Royce plc has issued Alert Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AG076, 
dated November 13, 2008. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the 
United Kingdom, and is approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, they have 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 10 work-hours per product to comply with this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required 
parts would cost about $25,000 per product. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $258,500.

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 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 this 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

[[Page 27975]]

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 FAA 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 adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce plc (Formerly Rolls-Royce Limited): Docket No. FAA-2010-
0521; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by July 6, 2010.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211-524C2-19 
and RB211-524C2-B-19 turbofan engines. These engines are installed 
on, but not limited to, Boeing 747 series airplanes.

Reason

    (d) A number of low-pressure turbine (LPT) casings have been 
found cracked during engine shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing 
reduces the capability of the casing to contain debris in the event 
of an LPT stage 1 blade failure. Blade failure in an engine with a 
cracked LPT casing may result in release of uncontained high-energy 
debris.
    We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in the LPT casings, 
which could result in the release of uncontained high-energy debris 
in the event of a stage 1 blade failure. Uncontained high energy 
debris could result in damage to the airplane.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions:

Initial Inspection Requirements

    (1) Perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) before the 
life of the LPT casing has reached 4,500 cycles-since-new (CSN) or 
within 4,500 cycles-since-last inspection (CSLI) or within 500 
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. 
You can find guidance on performing the FPI in RR Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008.

Repetitive Inspection Requirements

    (2) Thereafter, perform an FPI at intervals not exceeding 4,500 
CSLI. You can find guidance on performing the FPI in Rolls-Royce plc 
ASB RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008.

Remove Parts With Cracks

    (3) Remove cracked LPT casings, found using paragraphs (e)(1) or 
(e)(2) of this AD, from service before further flight.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0083, dated 
April 16, 2009, and Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. 
RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008, for related information. 
Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United 
Kingdom; telephone 011 44 1332 242424; fax 011 44 1332 249936, for a 
copy of this service information.
    (h) Contact Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199, 
for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 12, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-11997 Filed 5-18-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P