[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77382-77384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30489]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0884; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
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 all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-715A1-30, BR700-715B1-
30, and BR700-715C1-30 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted 
by a report of a partial de-bonding of the low pressure compressor 
(LPC) case ice impact panels during an engine shop visit. This proposed 
AD would require replacement of the LPC case ice impact panels. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the LPC case ice impact panels, 
which could result in damage to the engine and loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 21, 
2014.

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.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33-7086-1883; fax: 49 0 33-
7086-3276. 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://

[[Page 77383]]

www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0884; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), 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: 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-2013-0884; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-31-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 
AD 2013-0231, dated September 24, 2013 (referred to hereinafter as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Partial de-bonding of the Low Pressure Compressor (LPC) Case Ice 
Impact Panels was reported during engine shop visit.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to Ice Impact Panel 
de-bonding, resulting, in case of an impact event and release of 
particles, in blockage of the Outlet Guide Vane and consequent 
potential loss of thrust or reduced fan flutter margin.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-0884.

Relevant Service Information

    RRD has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. ALERT 
SB-BR700-72-A900281, dated July 1, 2013. The service information 
describes procedures for replacement of the LPC case ice impact panels.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany, 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 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. This proposed AD would require replacement of the 
LPC case ice impact panels.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 232 RRD turbofan engines 
installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 24 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $9,268 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $2,623,456.

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.
    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 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.
    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

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Formerly Rolls-Royce 
Deutschland GmbH, formerly BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH): Docket No. FAA-
2013-0884; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-31-AD.

[[Page 77384]]

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 21, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
BR700-715A1-30, BR700-715B1-30, and BR700-715C1-30 turbofan engines.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a partial de-bonding of the 
low pressure compressor (LPC) case ice impact panels during an 
engine shop visit. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
LPC case ice impact panels, which could result in damage to the 
engine and loss of control of the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, after the effective date of this AD, at the 
next engine shop visit or within 12,500 engine flight cycles since 
the last shop visit, whichever occurs first, replace the four LPC 
ice impact panels with panels eligible for installation.

(f) Definition

    (1) For the purposes of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the 
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the 
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges. The separation 
of engine flanges solely for the purpose of transportation without 
subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine shop 
visit.
    (2) For the purposes of this AD, a panel that is ``eligible for 
installation'' is a new LPC impact panel or one that has been 
repaired using RRD Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
No. ALERT SB-BR700-72-A900281, dated July 1, 2013.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request.

(h) 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 2013-0231, dated 
September 24, 2013, for more information. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0884.
    (3) RRD Alert NMSB No. ALERT SB-BR700-72-A900281, dated July 1, 
2013, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be 
obtained from RRD using the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) 
of this AD.
    (4) 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.
    (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 December 11, 2013.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30489 Filed 12-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P