[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32315-32316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13743]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 109 / Monday, June 8, 2015 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 32315]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1014; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-14-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).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by RRD updating the 
life limits for certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) disks. This 
proposed AD would require reducing the cyclic life limits for certain 
HPT disks. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT disk, 
which could result in uncontained disk release, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 7, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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 proposed AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33-7086-1064; 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://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1014; 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 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: Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; 
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 NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-1014; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-14-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM 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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2015-0056, dated March 31, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    A recent analysis identified the need to reduce the existing 
cyclic life limit of certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 
discs, part number (P/N) JR32013, as compared with the values 
published in RRD Tay 650 and Tay 651 engine Time Limit Manuals 
(TLM), Chapter 05-10-01.
    Operation of the affected HPT Stage 1 disc P/N JR32013 beyond 
the reduced cyclic life limit would likely result in an unsafe 
condition.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to part failure, 
possibly resulting in release of high energy debris with consequent 
damage to the aeroplane and/or injury to the occupants.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1014.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RRD has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. TAY-72-
A1821, Revision 1, dated March 26, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for verifying if an applicable HPT stage 1 disk is 
installed and for removing the HPT stage 1 disk from service. This 
service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

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 NPRM 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 23 engines installed on 
airplanes

[[Page 32316]]

of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 0.5 hours 
per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. We estimate that the pro-rated cost of the life reduction 
would be about $23,053 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $531,197.

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.

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: Docket No. FAA-2015-1014; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-14-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 7, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines with high-pressure 
turbine (HPT) stage 1 disk, part number (P/N) JR32013, installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by RRD updating the life limits for certain 
HPT disks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT 
disk, which could result in uncontained disk release, damage to the 
engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) After the effective date of this AD, use the Accomplishment 
Instruction, paragraph 3.A.(1)(b) of RRD Alert Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. TAY-72-A1821, Revision 1, dated March 
26, 2015 to calculate the HPT stage 1 disk consumed cyclic life of 
the affected engines.
    (2) Remove the HPT stage 1 disk, P/N JR32013, from service 
within 100 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or 
before exceeding the cyclic life limit as defined below, whichever 
occurs later:
    (i) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines and Flight Plan A, the life limit 
is 18,900 flight cycles since new (FCSN).
    (ii) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines and Flight Plan B, the life 
limit is 15,500 FCSN.
    (iii) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines and Flight Plan C, the life 
limit is 11,500 FCSN.
    (iv) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines and Flight Plan D, the life 
limit is 9,300 FCSN.
    (v) For RRD Tay 651-54 engines regardless of flight plan or 
profile, the life limit is 10,873 FCSN.

(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. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(g) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0056, 
dated March 31, 2015, 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-2015-1014.
    (3) RRD Alert NMSB No. TAY-72-A1821, Revision 1, dated March 26, 
2015, can be obtained from RRD, using the contact information in 
paragraph (g)(4) of this proposed AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, 
Dahlewitz, 15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33-7086-
1064; 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 May 12, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-13743 Filed 6-5-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P