[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 3, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67611-67613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27486]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0037; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-41-AD; 
Amendment 39-16489; AD 2010-17-12R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG. 
(RRD) Models Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments; revision.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. This AD revision results from the need 
to correct the applicability paragraph of that AD, and 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:

    Strip results from some of the engines listed in the 
applicability section of this AD revealed excessively corroded low-
pressure turbine disks stage 2 and stage 3. The corrosion is 
considered to be caused by the environment in which these engines 
are operated. Following a life assessment based on the strip 
findings it is concluded that inspections for corrosion attack are 
required. The action specified by this European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2008-0122 was intended to avoid a failure of a low-
pressure turbine disk stage 2 or stage 3 due to potential corrosion 
problems which could result in uncontained engine failure and damage 
to the airplane. It has been later realized that the same unsafe 
condition could potentially occur on more serial numbers for the Tay 
650-15 engines and on the Tay 651-54 engines. This AD, superseding 
EASA AD 2008-0122, retaining its requirements, is therefore issued 
to expand the Applicability in adding further engine serial numbers 
for the Tay 650-15 engines and in adding the Tay 651-54 engines.

We are issuing this AD to detect corrosion that could cause the stage 2 
or stage 3 disk of the LP turbine to fail, uncontained engine failure, 
and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 18, 2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 3, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of RRD Alert Service Bulletin No. TAY-72-A1524, Revision 3, 
dated March 24, 2010, as of September 27, 2010 (75 FR 51651, August 23, 
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: 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.

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; phone: (781) 238-7758; fax: (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On August 23, 2010, we published AD 2010-17-12, Amendment 39-16404, 
in the Federal Register (75 FR 51651). That AD is applicable to RRD 
models Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines. We discovered that 
the applicability paragraph of that AD is in error. This AD revision 
corrects that applicability paragraph. The requirements of that AD 
remain the same in this AD revision.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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. We are 
issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by the 
European Aviation Safety Agency and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because this 
AD revision reduces the applicability, and the impact on the affected 
U.S. registered fleet remains unchanged. Therefore, we determined that 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0037; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-NE-41-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
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 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).

[[Page 67612]]

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

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 FAA 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 removing Amendment 39-16404, and 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2010-17-12R1 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) (formerly 
Rolls-Royce plc, Derby, England): Amendment 39-16489.; Docket No. 
FAA-2007-0037; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-41-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 18, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD revises AD 2010-17-12, Amendment 39-16404.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to:
    (1) RRD model Tay 650-15 turbofan engines that have a serial 
number listed in Table 1, Table 2, or Table 3 of this AD, with a 
low-pressure (LP) turbine module M05300AA installed; and
    (2) All RRD model Tay 651-54 turbofan engines with an LP turbine 
module M05300AA installed.
    (3) These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Fokker 
F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes, and Boeing 727 airplanes modified 
in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA8472SW.

 Table 1--Affected Tay 650-15 Engines by Serial Number (Carried Forward
                  From AD 2008-10-14 and AD 2009-22-01)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Engine serial No.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       17251
                                       17255
                                       17256
                                       17273
                                       17275
                                       17280
                                       17281
                                       17282
                                       17300
                                       17301
                                       17327
                                       17332
                                       17365
                                       17393
                                       17437
                                       17443
                                       17470
                                       17520
                                       17521
                                       17523
                                       17539
                                       17542
                                       17556
                                       17561
                                       17562
                                       17563
                                       17580
                                       17581
                                       17612
                                       17618
                                       17635
                                       17637
                                       17645
                                       17661
                                       17686
                                       17699
                                       17701
                                       17702
                                       17736
                                       17737
                                       17738
                                       17739
                                       17741
                                       17742
                                       17808
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Table 2--Affected Tay 650-15 Engines by Serial Number (Carried Forward
                           From AD 2009-22-01)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Engine serial No.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       17249
                                       17303
                                       17358
                                       17370
                                       17425
                                       17426
                                       17433
                                       17438
                                       17445
                                       17446
                                       17460
                                       17474
                                       17478
                                       17490
                                       17491
                                       17517
                                       17518
                                       17522
                                       17534
                                       17535
                                       17536
                                       17538
                                       17540
                                       17541
                                       17552
                                       17553
                                       17585
                                       17613
                                       17723
                                       17724
                                       17740
                                       17759
                                       17760
                                       17807
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Table 3--Affected Tay 650-15 Engines by Serial Number (Added New in This
                                   AD)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Engine serial No.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       17344
                                       17360
                                       17376
                                       17413
                                       17537

[[Page 67613]]

 
                                       17694
                                       17698
                                       17707
                                       17716
                                       17718
                                       17719
                                       17731
                                       17756
                                       17757
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reason

    (d) This AD revision results from:
    (1) The need to correct the applicability paragraph of AD 2010-
17-12; and
    (2) 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 states:

    (3) Strip results from some of the engines listed in the 
applicability section of this AD revealed excessively corroded low-
pressure turbine disks stage 2 and stage 3. The corrosion is 
considered to be caused by the environment in which these engines 
are operated. Following a life assessment based on the strip 
findings it is concluded that inspections for corrosion attack are 
required. The action specified by this European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2008-0122 was intended to avoid a failure of a low-
pressure turbine disk stage 2 or stage 3 due to potential corrosion 
problems which could result in uncontained engine failure and damage 
to the airplane. It has been later realized that the same unsafe 
condition could potentially occur on more serial numbers for the Tay 
650-15 engines and on the Tay 651-54 engines. This AD, superseding 
EASA AD 2008-0122, retaining its requirements, is therefore issued 
to expand the Applicability in adding further engine serial numbers 
for the Tay 650-15 engines and in adding the Tay 651-54 engines.

    We are issuing this AD to detect corrosion that could cause the 
stage 2 or stage 3 disk of the LP turbine to fail, uncontained 
engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Prior to accumulating 11,700 flight cycles (FC) since new of 
disk life, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 11,700 FC of 
disk life, inspect the LP turbine disks stage 2 and stage 3 for 
corrosion using RRD Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. TAY-72-A1524, 
Revision 3, dated March 24, 2010.
    (2) For engines with disk life that already exceed 11,700 FC on 
the effective date of this AD, perform the inspection within 90 days 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) When, during any of the inspections as required by 
paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD, corrosion is found, replace 
the affected parts. RRD TAY 650 Engine Manual--E-TAY-3RR, Tasks 72-
52-23-200-000 and 72-52-24-200-000, and RRD TAY 651 Engine Manual--
E-TAY-5RR, Tasks 72-52-23-200-000 and 72-52-24-200-000, contain 
guidance on performing the inspection for corrosion and rejection 
criteria.

Previous Credit

    (f) Initial inspections done before the effective date of this 
AD on LP turbine disks stage 2 and stage 3 listed in Table 1 and 
Table 2 of this AD using RRD ASB No. TAY-72-A1524, Revision 1, dated 
September 1, 2006, or Revision 2, dated June 13, 2008, comply with 
the initial inspection requirements specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) 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

    (h) Refer to EASA AD 2010-060R1, dated April 14, 2010, for 
related information. Contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, 
Eschenweg 11, Dahlwitz, 15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 
011 49 (0) 33-7086-1883; fax: 011 49 (0) 33-7086-3276, for a copy of 
the service information referenced in this AD.
    (i) Contact Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; 
phone: (781) 238-7758; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information 
about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Alert 
Service Bulletin No. TAY-72-A1524, Revision 3, dated March 24, 2010, 
to do the inspections required by this AD.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of RRD Alert Service Bulletin No. TAY-72-
A1524, Revision 3, dated March 24, 2010, listed in the AD as of 
September 27, 2010 (75 FR 51651, August 23, 2010).
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlwitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 011 49 (0) 33-7086-1883; fax: 
011 49 (0) 33-7086-3276.
    (3) You may 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 22, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-27486 Filed 11-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P