[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72650-72652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30060]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0959; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 800 
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

[[Page 72651]]

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:

    Routine inspections have revealed cracking on the head sections 
of two Trent 800 front combustion liners.

We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure and 
damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 24, 
2012.

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; phone: 011 44 1332 242424; fax: 011 44 1332 249936; email: 
http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; or Web: https://www.aeromanager.com., 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 (phone: (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; email: 
[email protected]; phone: (781) 238-7143; 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-2011-0959; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-25-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 2011-0080, dated May 6, 2011 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Routine inspections have revealed cracking on the head sections 
of two Trent 800 front combustion liners.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to hot 
gas breakout with subsequent downstream component release 
potentially leading to uncontained high energy debris, possibly 
resulting in damage to the aeroplane or injury to persons on the 
ground.

    We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure and 
damage to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Rolls-Royce plc has issued Alert Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AG456, 
dated September 9, 2010. 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

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 125 products 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 10 work-
hours per product to inspect and 10 additional work-hours for those 
combustion liners that require replacement. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $525,000 per 
product. We expect that four front combustion liners will require 
replacement. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $2,209,650.

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.

[[Page 72652]]

    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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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-2011-0959; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NE-25-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 24, 2012.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 800 turbofan 
engines, all models, all serial numbers.

(d) Reason

    (1) 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:

    Routine inspections have revealed cracking on the head sections 
of two Trent 800 front combustion liners.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to hot 
gas breakout with subsequent downstream component release 
potentially leading to uncontained high energy debris, possibly 
resulting in damage to the aeroplane or injury to persons on the 
ground.

    (2) We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure 
and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.

(f) Initial Inspection

    (1) Within 1,000 flight cycles (FCs) after the effective date of 
this AD, inspect the front combustion liner head section for 
cracking. Use paragraph 3.A, except for 3.A.(1)(a)(i), of the On-
Wing Accomplishment Instructions of RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
RB.211-72-AG456, dated September 9, 2010, to do your inspections.
    (2) If you find cracking, remove the front combustion liner head 
section from service at the next shop visit. Until the next shop 
visit, take the corrective actions listed in Table 1 of this AD, as 
applicable.

           Table 1--Inspection Findings and Follow-On Actions
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                                             Action(s) and compliance
          Inspection findings                        time(s)
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(i) Cumulative crack length up to 150    Reduce the inspection intervals
 mm (up to 2 heatshields).                to 250 FCs.
(ii) Cumulative crack length 150 mm to   Reduce the inspection intervals
 300 mm (up to 4 heatshields).            to 100 FCs.
(iii) Cumulative crack length 300 mm to  Remove the engine within 50
 450 mm (up to 6 heatshields).            FCs.
(iv) Cumulative crack length 450 mm to   Replace the engine within 5
 900 mm (up to 12 heatshields).           FCs.
(v) Cumulative crack length greater      Replace the engine before next
 than 900 mm (more than 12 heatshields).  flight.
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(g) Repetitive Inspections

    (1) At intervals not to exceed 2,000 FCs, inspect the front 
combustion liner head section for cracking. Use paragraph 3.A, 
except for 3.A.(1)(a)(i), of the On-Wing Accomplishment Instructions 
of RR ASB RB.211-72-AG456, dated September 9, 2010, to do your 
inspection.
    (i) If you find cracking, remove the front combustion liner head 
section at the next shop visit. Until the next shop visit, take the 
corrective actions as detailed in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable.
    (2) For engines not found to have cracks in the front combustion 
liner head section in accordance with paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or 
(g)(1) of this AD, at every shop visit after the effective date of 
this AD, inspect the front combustion liner head section for 
cracking. Use paragraph B.(2), except B.(2)(a)(i), of the In-shop 
Accomplishment Instructions of RR ASB RB.211-72-AG456, dated 
September 9, 2010, to do the inspections.
    (3) Accomplishment of a shop visit inspection as required by 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD may substitute for the accomplishment of 
an on-wing inspection as required by paragraph (f)(1) or (g)(1) of 
this AD.

(h) Definition of Shop Visit

    For the purpose of this AD, the term shop visit means the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance where the front 
combustion liner is exposed or when the engine has been removed from 
service as a result of paragraph (f)(2) or (g)(1)(i) of this AD.

(i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI Airworthiness Directive 2011-0080, dated May 
6, 2011, and RR ASB RB.211-72-AG456, dated September 9, 2010, 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; email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; or Web: https://www.aeromanager.com., for a copy of this 
service information.
    (2) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; email: [email protected]; 
phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199, for more information 
about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 10, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-30060 Filed 11-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P