[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2932-2935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1128]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28059; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive 
(AD) for all RR RB211-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-
61, 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61, 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-
17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. That 
NPRM proposed to supersede an existing AD that requires inspecting the 
intermediate-pressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land for 
cracks, which could lead to engine failure. This action revises that 
NPRM by changing the optional terminating action for RB211-Trent 700 
and RB211-Trent 800 engines to mandatory terminating action. Since 
these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the 
NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the 
chance to comment on these proposed changes.

DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by March 20, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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. You may review copies of 
the referenced service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (781) 
238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is 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, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA; phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 2933]]


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-2007-
28059; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-13-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 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that 
would apply to RR RB211-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-
61, 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61, 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-
17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. That 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2011 (76 FR 
64283). That NPRM proposed to require for certain RB211-Trent 700 and 
RB211-Trent 800 engines, on-wing initial and repetitive borescope 
inspections and when in the shop, repetitive eddy current inspections 
(ECIs) for cracks on the rear balance land; and continued for RB211-
Trent 500 engines, initial and repetitive in-shop visual inspections or 
ECIs for cracks on the rear balance land. That NPRM also proposed 
certain optional terminating actions.

Actions Since Previous NPRM Was Issued

    Since we issued that NPRM, RR has ceased efforts to develop an on-
wing ECI. Therefore the optional terminating action for RB211-Trent 700 
and RB211-Trent 800 engines only, should be made mandatory. EASA has 
also superseded EASA AD 2010-0266R1, dated January 6, 2011, with EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0221, dated November 14, 2011 to 
accomplish the same corrective actions as proposed herein.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to comment on the previous NPRM. 
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each comment.

Request

    US Airways requested that we allow borescope inspection using RR 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-72-AG270 when at shop visit, if 
the exposure of the IP compressor is not visible for ECI. The commenter 
stated that airlines will incur more maintenance costs if not allowed 
to do borescope inspections under this circumstance.
    We do not agree. The visual/ECI is not required unless the rear 
face of the IP compressor is exposed. Our Definition paragraph defined 
a shop visit as the introduction of an engine into a shop, and 
disassembly sufficient to expose the IP compressor module rear face. We 
did not change the NPRM.

Request

    The Boeing Airplane Company, Rolls-Royce plc, and American Airlines 
requested that we correct two service bulletin reference errors and two 
paragraph reference errors in the compliance section. We agree. We 
revised this NPRM by changing the Service Bulletin (SB) and paragraph 
reference errors, specifically changing ``RR SB No. RB.211-72-G402, 
Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011'' to ``RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG402, 
Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011'', changing ``RR SB No. RB.211-72-G401, 
Revision 2, dated July 5, 2011'' to ``RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG401, 
Revision 2, dated July 5, 2011'', changing the reference in paragraph 
(k)(2)(i) from ``(h)'' to ``(g)(1)(i)'', and by changing paragraph 
``(f)(3)'' to paragraph ``(g)''.

Request

    Rolls-Royce plc requested that, when referencing the RB211-Trent 
800 service information, we make the inspection requirements consistent 
with the RB211-Trent 700 inspection requirements, as they are the same 
except for the compliance interval.
    We agree. We changed paragraph (g)(1)(i) in this NPRM to state to 
use RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21, 2011, 
sections 3.A.(2)(b) through 3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(3)(a) through 
3.A.(3)(c), or 3.B.(2)(a) through 3.B.(2)(c) and 3.B.(4)(a) through 
3.B.(4)(c), to do the inspection.

Request

    Rolls-Royce plc requested that we reference EASA AD 2011-0221, 
dated November 14, 2011, in the NPRM since it supersedes EASA AD 2010-
0266R1, dated January 6, 2011.
    We agree and changed the EASA AD reference.

Request

    Rolls-Royce plc requested that we change the compliance time from 
``next shop visit'', to ``next shop visit or within 90 months after the 
effective date of the AD'' to be consistent with EASA's AD.
    We do not agree. The fretting caused by movement between the 
balance weights and the IPC rear face is related to engine run time, 
not calendar time. Shop visits are also related to average run time. We 
did not change the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this supplemental NPRM because we evaluated all 
the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of these 
same type designs. Certain changes described above expand the scope of 
the original NPRM. As a result, we have determined to reopen the 
comment period to provide additional opportunity for the public to 
comment on this supplemental NPRM.

Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

    This supplemental NPRM would require:
     For the RB211-Trent 700 and RB211-Trent 800 engines, on 
wing initial and repetitive borescope inspections and when in the shop, 
repetitive ECIs and visual inspections for cracks on the rear balance 
land; and
     For the RB211-Trent 500 engines, initial and repetitive 
in-shop visual inspections or ECIs for cracks on the rear balance land.
     For the RB211-Trent 700 and RB211-Trent 800 engines, 
adding a mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspection 
requirements.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 136 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 3.5 work-hours per engine to perform the proposed on-wing/
in-shop visual inspections, about 2.5 work-hours per engine to perform 
the proposed in-shop ECIs, and about 8 work-hours to rebalance the IP 
compressor. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. 
operators to be $470,696.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue

[[Page 2934]]

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 2008-18-08, Amendment 39-15665 (73 FR 52201, September 9, 2008), 
and adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2007-28059; Directorate Identifier 
2007-NE-13-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 20, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2008-18-08, Amendment 39-15665, (73 FR 
52201, September 9, 2008).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 553-61, 
553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61, 
768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 
892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    We are superseding AD 2008-18-08 because additional cracks on 
RB211-Trent 700 and RB211-Trent 800 intermediate-pressure (IP) 
compressor rotor shafts have been found since that AD was issued. 
This cracking could lead to IP compressor rotor shaft failure, 
uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) RB211-Trent 700 Series Engines--Rear Balance Land Inspections

(1) On-Wing Inspections

    (i) Within 625 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective date 
of this AD, borescope inspect the IP compressor rotor shaft rear 
balance land. Use RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-72-
AG270, Revision 4, dated March 21, 2011, sections 3.A.(2)(a) through 
3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(3)(a) through 3.A.(3)(c), or 3.B.(2)(a) through 
3.B.(2)(c) and 3.B.(4)(a) through 3.B.(4)(c), to do the inspection.
    (ii) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 625 cycles-
since-last inspection (CSLI). You may count CSLI from the last 
borescope inspection or the last eddy current inspection, whichever 
has occurred last.

(2) In-Shop Inspections

    At each shop visit, eddy current inspect (ECI) and visually 
inspect the IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land, and 
visually inspect the balance weights. Use RR ASB No. RB.211-72-
AG085, Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011, sections 3.A. through 
3.D.(3)(b)(v), except paragraphs 3.D.(3)(a)(ii) and 3.D.(3)(b)(iii) 
to do the inspections.

(g) RB211-Trent 800 Series Engines--Rear Balance Land Inspections

(1) On-Wing Inspections

    (i) Within 475 CIS after the effective date of this AD, 
borescope inspect the IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land. 
Use RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21, 2011, 
sections 3.A.(2)(b) through 3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(3)(a) through 
3.A.(3)(c), or 3.B.(2)(a) through 3.B.(2)(c) and 3.B.(4)(a) through 
3.B.(4)(c), to do the inspection.
    (ii) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 475 CSLI. 
You may count CSLI from the last borescope inspection or the last 
eddy current inspection, whichever has occurred last.

(2) In-Shop Inspections

    At each shop visit, ECI and visually inspect the IP compressor 
rotor rear shaft balance land, and visually inspect the balance 
weights. Use RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 2, dated July 7, 
2011, sections 3.A. through 3.D.(3)(b)(v), except paragraphs 
3.D.(3)(a)(ii) and 3.D.(3)(b)(iii), to do the inspections.

(h) RB211-Trent 500 Series Engines--In-Shop Rear Balance Land 
Inspections

    At each shop visit, ECI the IP compressor rotor shaft and 
visually inspect the balance weights. Use RR ASB No. RB.211-72-
AF260, Revision 5, dated July 7, 2011 sections 3.A. through 
3.B.(3)(a)(iii) to do the visual inspection, or RR Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 3, dated July 7, 2011 section 
3.D.(1) through 3.D.(14) to do the ECI.

(i) Definition

    For the purposes of this AD, a shop visit is defined as 
introduction of an engine into a shop, and disassembly sufficient to 
expose the IP compressor module rear face.

(j) Mandatory Terminating Action for RB211-Trent 700 and RB211-Trent 
800 Engines

    (1) As mandatory terminating action to the in-shop repetitive 
inspections in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, at the next shop visit 
in which any level of inspection or strip is scheduled to be carried 
out on the IPC, modify RB211-Trent 700 engines by removing the 
existing IPC balance weights, and then rebalancing the IPC as 
specified in paragraphs 3.B.(2) through 3.B.(6)(e) and 3.B.(6)(g) of 
RR ASB No. RB.211--72-AG402, Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011.
    (2) As mandatory terminating action to the in-shop repetitive 
inspections in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, at the next shop visit 
in which any level of inspection or strip is scheduled to be carried 
out on the IPC, modify RB211-Trent 800 engines by removing the 
existing IPC balance weights, and then rebalancing the IPC as 
specified in paragraphs 3.B.(2) through 3.B.(6)(e) and 3.B.(6)(g) of 
RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG401, Revision 2, dated July 5, 2011.

(k) Previous Credit

    (1) For RB211-Trent 700 series engines:
    (i) An on-wing inspection done before the effective date of this 
AD using RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 1, dated December 14, 
2009, or Revision 2, dated December 21, 2010, or Revision 3, dated 
February 25, 2011, meets the inspection requirement in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD.
    (ii) An in-shop inspection done before the effective date of 
this AD using RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 1, dated

[[Page 2935]]

September 27, 2010, meets the inspection requirement in paragraph 
(f)(2) of this AD.
    (iii) An IPC rebalancing done before the effective date of this 
AD using RR SB No. RB.211-72-G402, Revision 1, dated January 11, 
2011, meets the rebalancing requirement in paragraph (j)(1) of this 
AD.
    (2) For RB211-Trent 800 series engines:
    (i) An on-wing inspection done before the effective date of this 
AD using RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 3, dated December 21, 
2010, or Revision 4, dated February 25, 2011, meets the inspection 
requirement in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
    (ii) An in-shop inspection done before the effective date of 
this AD using RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 1, dated 
September 27, 2010, meets the inspection requirement in paragraph 
(g)(2) of this AD.
    (iii) An IPC rebalancing done before the effective date of this 
AD using RR SB No. RB.211-72-G402, Revision 1, dated January 11, 
2011, meets the rebalancing requirement in paragraph (j)(1) of this 
AD.
    (3) For RB211-Trent 500 series engines:
    (i) An in-shop visual inspection done before the effective date 
of this AD using RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AF260, Revision 4, dated July 
28, 2009, meets the inspection requirement in paragraph (h) of this 
AD.
    (ii) An in-shop ECI done before the effective date of this AD 
using RR ASB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 
2010, meets the ECI requirement in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to request an AMOC.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Alan Strom, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 
238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2011-0221, dated November 
14, 2011, also pertains to the subject of this AD.
    (3) 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. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (781) 238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-1128 Filed 1-19-12; 8:45 am]
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