[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6668-6669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2895]
[[Page 6668]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0004; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-01-AD;
Amendment 39-16927; AD 2012-02-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc 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 all
Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 500 series turbofan engines. This AD
requires a one-time inspection of the fuel tubes and fuel tube clips
for evidence of damage, wear, and fuel leakage. This AD was prompted by
reports of wear found between the securing clips and the low-pressure
(LP) fuel tube outer surface, which reduces the fuel tube wall
thickness, leading to fracture of the fuel tube and consequent fuel
leak. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine fuel leaks, which could
result in risk to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective February 24, 2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by March 26, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-
AG797, dated October 26, 2011, listed in the AD as of February 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: 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.
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: 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 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 (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:
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 2011-0243, dated December 20, 2011 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Fuel leaks from the LP fuel tubes which run between the LP fuel
pumps and high pressure (HP) fuel pumps have occurred in service.
The subsequent technical investigations have shown that these
have resulted from frettage between the securing clips and the LP
fuel tube outer surface, which reduces the fuel tube wall thickness,
leading to fracture of the fuel tube and consequent fuel leak.
The corrective action includes inspection of the tubes and the
associated clips. The fretting and thinning of the fuel tubes is caused
by relative movement between the tubes and the clips. You may obtain
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Rolls-Royce plc has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-
AG797, dated October 26, 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 United Kingdom and is
approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral
agreement with the European Community, EASA has 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
No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less 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-2012-0004; Directorate
Identifier 2012-NE-01-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 6669]]
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:
2012-02-04 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-16927; Docket No. FAA-2012-
0004; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-01-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 24,
2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 553-61, RB211-
Trent 553A2-61, RB211-Trent 556-61, RB211-Trent 556A2-61, RB211-
Trent 556B-61, RB211-Trent 556B2-61, RB211-Trent 560-61, and RB211-
Trent 560A2-61 turbofan engines that have not complied with Rolls-
Royce plc Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-G723, and that have any of
the following fuel tube part numbers installed:
(1) FW57605.
(2) FW17689.
(3) FW57604.
(4) FK30710.
(5) FW57578.
(6) FK30713.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of wear found between the
securing clips and the low-pressure (LP) fuel tube outer surface,
which reduces the fuel tube wall thickness, leading to fracture of
the fuel tube and consequent fuel leak. We are issuing this AD to
prevent engine fuel leaks, which could result in risk to the
airplane.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following one-time actions within
1,600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
(1) Visually inspect the fuel tube clips holding the LP fuel
tube run from the LP fuel pump to the fuel-oil-heat exchanger, and
the clips holding the LP fuel tube run from the LP filter to the
high-pressure (HP) fuel pump, for evidence of damage or wear and
replace as necessary. Do this in accordance with paragraphs
3.A(4)(a) through 3.A(4)(c) of Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service
Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AG797, dated October 26, 2011.
(2) Clean and dry the LP fuel tube run from the LP fuel pump to
the fuel-oil-heat exchanger, and the LP fuel tube run from the LP
filter to the HP fuel pump.
(i) Visually inspect for evidence of damage, wear near the clip
locations, and for fuel leakage.
(ii) Reject the tube and replace it if evidence of fuel leakage
or contact frettage to a depth of greater than 0.1 mm (0.004 in.) on
the outer surface of a bend, or 0.2 mm (0.008 in.) in any other
area, is evident.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(g) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, 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.
(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2011-0243, dated
December 20, 2011, for related information.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) You must use the following service information to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51:
(2) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AG797,
dated October 26, 2011.
(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: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp.
(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call (781) 238-7125.
(5) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference 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 January 19, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-2895 Filed 2-8-12; 8:45 am]
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