[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17079-17080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06115]



[[Page 17079]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1167; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-36-AD; 
Amendment 39-17396; AD 2013-06-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) models Tay 620-15 and Tay 
650-15 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by RRD recalculating the 
Declared Safe Cyclic Life (DSCL) for certain low-pressure compressor 
(LPC) rotor disc assemblies operating to the Plan D Flight Mission. 
This AD requires removing the affected LPC rotor disc assemblies at a 
new lower recalculated DSCL. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the LPC rotor disc assembly, uncontained engine failure, and damage 
to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2012 
(77 FR 74123). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information states:

    The Tay 650-15 and Tay 650-15/10 engine Time Limits Manual 
Chapter 05-10-01 contains maximum approved life limitations, 
identified as Declared Safe Cyclic Life (DSCL) for Low Pressure 
Compressor (LPC) rotor disc assemblies Part Number (P/N) JR31198A 
and P/N JR34563A operated to the Plan D Flight Mission, which has 
been recalculated to a lower value.
    Decreased DSCL of LPC rotor disc assemblies P/N JR31198A and P/N 
JR34563A may affect these disc assemblies installed in Tay 650-15 
and Tay 650-15/10 engines as well as in Tay 620-15 and Tay 620-15/20 
engines.
    Failure to take decreased DSCL of affected LPC rotor disc 
assemblies into account could lead to affected part failure and 
consequent release of high energy debris potentially resulting in 
damage to, and/or reduced control of, the aeroplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 74123, December 13, 
2012).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed (77 FR 74123, 
December 13, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect four engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will require four 
hours to perform the actions required by this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Prorated life for the disc assembly is 
approximately $650 per disc. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $3,960.

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.

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 provided in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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:

2013-06-01 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) (formerly 
Rolls-Royce plc): Docket No. FAA-2012-1167; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NE-36-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 24, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 17080]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to RRD models Tay 620-15 and Tay 650-15 turbofan 
engines with a low-pressure compressor (LPC) rotor disc assembly, 
part number (P/N) JR31198A or P/N JR34563A, installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by RRD recalculating the Declared Safe 
Cyclic Life for certain LPC rotor disc assemblies operating to the 
Plan D Flight Mission. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the LPC rotor disc assembly, uncontained engine failure, and damage 
to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following. For engines that have 
operated to the Plan D Flight Mission configuration, remove the LPC 
rotor disc assembly from service before accumulating 18,700 engine 
flight cycles. Do not return to service nor approve for return to 
service any engine with the affected discs installed that exceeds 
18,700 engine flight cycles.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 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 Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2012-0204, dated 
October 1, 2012, and RRD Alert Service Bulletin TAY-72-A1772, dated 
August 9, 2012, for related information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11 Dahlewitz 15827, 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 0 33-7086-1944; fax: +49 0 
33-7086-3276.
    (4) You may view this 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.

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 8, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06115 Filed 3-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P