[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 219 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70336-70337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29208]



[[Page 70336]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1109; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-33-AD; 
Amendment 39-16863; AD 2011-23-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-524G2-19; -524G2-
T-19; -524G3-19; -524G3-T-19; 524H2-19; -524H2-T-19; -524H-36; and -
524H-T-36 Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This 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:

    Several instances of fan blade cracking have been reported. The 
results of the subsequent technical investigation concluded that the 
cracking was caused by fan blade flutter at certain engine settings 
during prolonged ground running.
    This condition, if not corrected, could affect the integrity of 
the fan blades, leading to cracking of multiple fan blades and could 
possibly result in engine failure and release of uncontained high 
energy debris.

We are issuing this AD to prevent fan blade flutter, which could result 
in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 29, 2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 14, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-
AG054, Revision 2, dated June 29, 2011, listed in the AD as of November 
29, 2011.

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: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: (781) 238-
7143; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 2011-0175, dated September 8, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Several instances of fan blade cracking have been reported. The 
results of the subsequent technical investigation concluded that the 
cracking was caused by fan blade flutter at certain engine settings 
during prolonged ground running.
    This condition, if not corrected, could affect the integrity of 
the fan blades, leading to cracking of multiple fan blades and could 
possibly result in engine failure and release of uncontained high 
energy debris.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Rolls-Royce has 
developed modified full-authority fuel controller software in order 
to ensure that the engine cannot experience prolonged running on 
ground at engine settings that would potentially jeopardize the 
integrity of the fan blades.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Rolls-Royce plc has issued Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin 
No. RB.211-73-AG054, Revision 2, dated June 29, 2011. 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 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 issuing 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.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since no domestic operators use this product, notice and 
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary. 
Therefore, we are adopting this regulation immediately.

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-2011-1109; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NE-33-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).

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

[[Page 70337]]

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

    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 adding the following new AD:

2011-23-12 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-16863; Docket No. FAA-2011-
1109; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-33-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
29, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-524G2-19; -524G2-T-
19; -524G3-19; 524G3-T-19; 524H2-19; -524H2-T-19; -524H-36; and -
524H-T-36 turbofan engines.

Reason

    (d) This 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:

Several instances of fan blade cracking have been reported. The 
results of the subsequent technical investigation concluded that the 
cracking was caused by fan blade flutter at certain engine settings 
during prolonged ground running.

This condition, if not corrected, could affect the integrity of the 
fan blades, leading to cracking of multiple fan blades and could 
possibly result in engine failure and release of uncontained high 
energy debris.

    We are issuing this AD to prevent fan blade flutter, which could 
result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 40 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the engine by installing a full-authority fuel controller (FAFC) 
featuring software at Issue 17, in accordance with Accomplishment 
Instructions paragraphs 3.A. through 3.B. of Rolls-Royce plc Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-73-AG054, Revision 2, dated June 
29, 2011.
    (2) Engines which have been modified before the effective date 
of this AD, in accordance with previous revisions of ASB No. RB.211-
73-AG054 are compliant with the requirement of paragraph (e)(1) of 
this AD.
    (3) From the effective date of this AD, do not install an FAFC 
on an engine if the FAFC incorporates software prior to Issue 17.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) None.

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 European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2011-0175, dated 
September 8, 2011, for related information.
    (i) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: (781) 238-7143; 
fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected], for more information 
about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. 
RB.211-73-AG054, Revision 2, dated June 29, 2011, to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
England, DE248BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-245418 
or email from http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp, or 
download the publication from https://www.aeromanager.com.
    (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. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (781) 238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 2, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-29208 Filed 11-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P