[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 5, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61361-61363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24887]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0994; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535 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:

    There have been several findings of cracking at the firtrees of 
LP Turbine discs. Fatigue crack initiation and subsequent crack 
propagation at the firtree may result in multiple LP Turbine blade 
release. The latter may potentially be beyond the containment 
capabilities of the engine casings. Thus, cracking at the firtrees 
of LP Turbine discs constitutes a potentially unsafe condition.

We are proposing this AD to detect cracks in the low-pressure turbine 
stage 1, 2, and 3 discs, which could result in an uncontained release 
of LP turbine blades and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 19, 
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; e-
mail: royce.com">tech.help@rolls-royce.com for the service information identified 
in this proposed AD or download the publication from https://www.aeromanager.com/.

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: 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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about

[[Page 61362]]

this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the 
ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0994; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-NE-39-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 2009-0244, dated November 9, 2009 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    There have been several findings of cracking at the firtrees of 
LP Turbine discs. Fatigue crack initiation and subsequent crack 
propagation at the firtree may result in multiple LP Turbine blade 
release. The latter may potentially be beyond the containment 
capabilities of the engine casings. Thus, cracking at the firtrees 
of LP Turbine discs constitutes a potentially unsafe condition.
    Therefore this Airworthiness Directive requires a change to the 
inspection intervals of LP Turbine Discs.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Rolls-Royce plc has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) RB.211-72-
AG272, dated August 5, 2009. 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 90 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 30 work-hours per product to comply with this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. No parts are 
required. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $229,500.

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.

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: Docket No. FAA-2010-0994; Directorate Identifier 
2009-NE-39-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by November 19, 2010.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535E4-37, -535E4-B-
37, -535E4-B-75, and -535E4-C-37 turbofan engines. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 757-200 series, -200PF 
series, -200CB series, and -300 series airplanes and Tupolev Tu204 
series airplanes.

Reason

    (d) This AD results from several findings of cracking at the 
firtrees of low-pressure (LP) turbine discs. Fatigue crack 
initiation and subsequent crack propagation at the firtree may 
result in multiple LP turbine blade release. We are issuing this AD 
to detect cracks in the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs, which 
could result in an uncontained release of LP turbine blades and 
damage to the airplane.

Actions and Compliance

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

Initial Inspection Requirements

    (1) At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, perform a visual and a fluorescent penetrant inspection 
(FPI) of the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 disc. You can find 
guidance on the visual and FPI in Section 3, Accomplishment 
Instructions, of

[[Page 61363]]

Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211 72-AG272.

Repeat Inspection Requirements

    (2) At each engine shop visit after accumulating 1,500 cycles 
since the last inspection of the LP turbine stage 1, 2 and 3 discs, 
repeat the inspections specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

Remove Cracked Discs

    (3) If you find cracks, remove the disc from service.

Definitions

    (f) For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that the 
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of 
transportation without subsequent engine maintenance does not 
constitute an engine shop visit.

FAA AD Differences

    (g) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) and or service information as follows in that 
while the MCAI compliance requires action at a current shop visit, 
this AD requires compliance at the next shop visit after the 
effective date of this AD.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (h) 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

    (i) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2009-0244, dated November 9, 2009, and Rolls-Royce plc ASB 
No. RB.211-72-AG272 for related information. Contact Rolls-Royce 
plc., P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: 011 44 
1332 242424, fax: 011 44 1332 249936; e-mail: royce.com">tech.help@rolls-royce.com, for a copy of this service information or download the 
publication from https://www.aeromanager.com.
    (j) 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 September 27, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-24887 Filed 10-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P