[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71532-71534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28604]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24777; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-19-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

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ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-03-
02 for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland (RRD) Tay 620-15, Tay 650-15, and 
Tay 651-54 turbofan engines. AD 2007-03-02 requires an ultrasonic 
inspection (UI) of low-pressure (LP) compressor fan blades for cracks 
on certain serial number (S/N) Tay 650-15 engines. AD 2007-03-02 also 
requires, for all Tay 611-8, 620-15, Tay 650-15, and Tay 651-54 
engines, initial and repetitive UIs of LP compressor fan blades. AD 
2007-03-02 also requires, for Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 engines, UIs of 
LP compressor fan blades whenever the blade set is removed from one 
engine and installed on a different engine. Since we issued AD 2007-03-
02, we received a report of an additional engine failure due to 
multiple fan blade separation. This proposed AD would require 
additional inspections for the affected engines and removal of the Tay 
611-8 engine from the applicability of this AD. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent failure of the LP compressor fan blade, engine failure, 
and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 28, 
2014.

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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce 
Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, D-15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, 
Germany; phone: 49 0 33 7086 1200; fax: 49 0 33 7086 1212. 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.

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 mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information, 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: 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: 

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-2006-
24777; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-19-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

    On January 22, 2007, we issued AD 2007-03-02, Amendment 39-14913 
(72 FR 3936, January 29, 2007) (``AD 2007-03-02'') for certain RRD Tay 
611-8 and Tay 620-15 turbofan engines with LP compressor module, part 
number (P/N) M01100AA or P/N M01100AB, installed, and Tay 650-15 and 
Tay 651-54 turbofan engines with LP compressor module, P/N M01300AA or 
P/N M01300AB, installed. AD 2007-03-02 requires UI of LP compressor fan 
blades for cracks on certain S/N Tay 650-15 engines. AD 2007-03-02 also 
requires, for all Tay 611-8, 620-15, 620-15/20, Tay 650-15, Tay 650-15/
20, and Tay 651-54 engines, initial and repetitive UIs of LP compressor 
fan blades. AD 2007-03-02 also requires, for Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 
engines, UIs of LP compressor fan blades whenever the blade set is 
removed from one engine and installed on a different engine. AD 2007-
03-02 resulted from a report that a set of LP compressor fan blades 
failed before reaching the LP compressor fan blade full published life 
limit. We issued AD 2007-03-02 to prevent LP compressor fan blades from 
failing due to blade root cracks, leading to uncontained engine failure 
and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2007-03-02 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2007-03-02, we received reports of additional 
engine failures. Also since we issued AD 2007-03-02, the European 
Aviation Safety Agency issued AD 2013-151R2, dated September 2, 2013, 
which requires UI, and replacement if found cracked, of affected LP 
compressor fan blades. Also since we issued AD 2007-03-02, RRD issued 
ANMSB TAY-72-A1442, Revision 5, dated May 31, 2013 which removed the 
Tay 611-8 engine from the list of applicable engines.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD requires a UI of LP compressor fan blades for 
cracks for all 620-15, Tay 650-15, and Tay 651-54 engines. This 
proposed AD would also require accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 52 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 4 hours per engine to remove and inspect an LP compressor 
blade set. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Prorated parts life 
will cost about $11,750 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $628,680.

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

[[Page 71534]]

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 have 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 that the 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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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

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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2007-03-02, Amendment 39-14913 (72 FR 3936, January 29, 2007), and 
adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2006-24777; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-19-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January 28, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2007-03-02, Amendment 39-14913 (72 FR 
3936, January 29, 2007).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Tay 
620-15 turbofan engines with low-pressure (LP) compressor module, 
part number (P/N) M01100AA or P/N M01100AB, installed, and Tay 650-
15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines with LP compressor module, P/N 
M01300AA or P/N M01300AB, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an additional engine 
failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LP 
compressor fan blade, engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 engine LP Compressor Fan Blade 
Ultrasonic Inspection (UI):
    (i) After the effective date of this AD, whenever LP compressor 
fan blades are removed from an engine, before re-installation on a 
different engine, inspect the LP compressor fan blades and 
accomplish a UI of the LP compressor fan blades in accordance with 
Instruction I of paragraph 3 of RRD Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin (NMSB) TAY-72-A1442, Revision 6, dated August 26, 2013.
    (ii) After the effective date of this AD, during each engine 
shop visit, before return to service of the engine, inspect the LP 
compressor fan blades and accomplish a UI of the LP compressor fan 
blades in accordance with Instruction II of paragraph 3 of RRD Alert 
NMSB TAY-72-A1442, Revision 6, dated August 26, 2013.
    (2) For Tay 620-15 engine LP Compressor Fan Blade UI, after the 
effective date of this AD, before return to service of an engine 
after every mid-life, or every calendar life, or every overhaul shop 
visit, inspect the LP compressor fan blades and accomplish a UI of 
the LP compressor fan blades in accordance with Instruction II of 
paragraph 3 of RRD Alert NMSB TAY-72-A1442, Revision 6, dated August 
26, 2013.
    (3) For Tay 620-15, Tay 650-15, and Tay 651-54 engine LP 
Compressor Fan Blade and Rotor Disk Replacement, if during any 
inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD, any LP 
compressor fan blade is found cracked, before next flight or return 
to service of the engine, replace the complete set of the LP 
compressor fan blades and the LP compressor rotor disk.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If, before the effective date of this AD, you inspected or 
replaced any Tay 620-15, Tay 650-15, or Tay 651-54 turbofan engine 
LP compressor fan blades or rotor disk assembly using RRD Alert NMSB 
TAY-72-A1442, Revision 5, or earlier, you have satisfied the 
requirements of paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(3) of this AD.

(g) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD for Tay 620-15 engines:
    (1) A mid-life shop visit is an engine shop visit accomplished 
before accumulating 12,000 engine flight cycles since new (FCSN) or 
flight cycles (FC) since last engine mid-life shop visit;
    (2) A calendar-life shop visit is an engine shop visit 
accomplished within 10 years since new or since the last engine 
calendar-life shop visit;
    (3) An overhaul shop visit is an engine shop visit accomplished 
before accumulating 22,000 engine FCSN or FC since the last engine 
overhaul shop visit.

(h) 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.

(i) 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 MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency, AD 2013-
151R2, dated September 2, 2013, for more information. You may 
examine the AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2006-24777-0012.
    (3) Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Alert Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin No. TAY-72-A1442, Revision 6, dated August 26, 
2013, pertains to the subject of this AD and can be obtained from 
RRD, using the contact information in paragraph (i)(4) of this AD.
    (4) Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, D-15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33 7086 1200; fax: 49 0 33 
7086 1212.
    (5) 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 19, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28604 Filed 11-27-13; 8:45 am]
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