[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69625-69627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28533]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0561; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-04-
03 that applies to certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 
772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. AD 2015-04-03 requires inspection 
of the sealing sleeve on the high-pressure/intermediate-pressure (HP/
IP) turbine support internal oil feed tube and removal of those sealing 
sleeves affected by AD 2015-04-03. This proposed AD would require 
removal of either the affected sealing sleeve only or both the affected 
sealing sleeve and the oil feed tube. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent failure of the HP/IP turbine support internal oil feed tube, 
which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 11, 
2016.

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 proposed AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 
8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-
249936; email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; 
Internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare. 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-2014-
0561; 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, 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0561; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-12-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 February 11, 2015, we issued AD 2015-04-03, Amendment 39-18105 
(80

[[Page 69626]]

FR 9380, February 23, 2015), for certain RR RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 
and 772B-60 turbofan engines. AD 2015-04-03 requires inspection of the 
sealing sleeve on the HP/IP turbine support internal oil feed tube and 
removal of those sealing sleeves affected by AD 2015-04-03. AD 2015-04-
03 resulted from fractures of the HP/IP turbine support internal oil 
feed tube. We issued AD 2015-04-03 to prevent failure of the HP/IP 
turbine support internal oil feed tube, which could result in 
uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2015-04-03 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2015-04-03, Amendment 39-18105 (80 FR 9380, 
February 23, 2015), we received a report of high oil consumption on an 
engine that did not have an affected sealing sleeve. The manufacturer's 
investigation revealed that certain oil feed tube threaded end adapters 
were manufactured with the outer diameter larger than the drawing 
maximum, which can cause binding of the sliding joint and ultimately 
lead to low-cycle fatigue failure of the HP/IP turbine support internal 
oil feed tube. Also since we issued AD 2015-04-03, the European 
Aviation Safety Agency has issued AD 2015-0105R1, dated August 18, 
2015, which requires inspection of the affected sealing sleeve and 
removal of the affected sealing sleeve or removal of both the affected 
sealing sleeve and oil feed tube.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RR has issued RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 
RB.211-72-AJ035, Revision 2, dated August 10, 2015 and RR Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-H754, dated October 1, 2014. The Alert NMSB 
No. RB.211-72-AJ035, Revision 2, dated August 10, 2015, provides 
guidance on identification of the sealing sleeve, part number (P/N) 
FW15003, and replacement of the non-conforming sealing sleeve, P/N 
FW15003, with a conforming sealing sleeve, P/N FW15003. The SB No. 
RB.211-72-H754, dated October 1, 2014, provides information on the 
replacement of the sealing sleeve, P/N FW15003, and oil feed tube, P/N 
FW14193, with a sealing sleeve, P/N KH28323 and oil feed tube, P/N 
KH28324. 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

    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 would require removal of the affected sealing 
sleeve only or both the affected sealing sleeve and the oil feed tube. 
Both corrective actions eliminate the unsafe condition caused by 
affected sealing sleeves and/or affected oil feed tube threaded end 
adapters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 58 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
1.2 hours per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost approximately $5,850 per 
engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $345,216.

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 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) 
2015-04-03, Amendment 39-18105 (80 FR 9380, February 23, 2015) (``AD 
2015-04-03''), and adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2014-0561; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NE-12-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 11, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2015-04-03.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-
60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, all serial numbers, except those 
engines:
    (1) That have had Modification 72-H754 applied in production, or
    (2) that have been modified in accordance with RR Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-H754, dated October 1, 2014, or
    (3) with sealing sleeve, part number (P/N) FW15003, with 
markings 102013, 112013, or 102013L.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by fractures of the high-pressure/
intermediate pressure (HP/IP) turbine support internal oil feed 
tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HP/IP turbine 
support internal oil feed tube, which could result in uncontained 
engine failure and damage to the airplane.

[[Page 69627]]

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) If sealing sleeve, P/N FW15003, is installed without 
markings 102013, 112013, or 102013L, or if the markings cannot be 
sufficiently identified, then within 1,600 flight cycles or 24 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first:
    (i) Remove the affected sealing sleeve, P/N FW15003, and replace 
it with a sealing sleeve eligible for installation. Use paragraph 
3.A.(4)(b) of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 
RB.211-72-AJ035, Revision 2, dated August 10, 2015, to perform the 
part replacement, or,
    (ii) Remove the affected sealing sleeve, P/N FW15003, and the 
oil feed tube, P/N FW14193, and replace with parts eligible for 
installation. Use paragraph 3.B. or 3.C., as appropriate, of RR SB 
No. RB.211-72-H754, dated October 1, 2014, to perform the parts 
replacement.
    (2) Reserved.

 (f) 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. 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-
0105R1, dated, August 18, 2015, for more information. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0561.
    (3) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AJ035, Revision 2, dated August 
10, 2015 and RR SB No. RB.211-72-H754, dated October 1, 2014, can be 
obtained from RR, using the contact information in paragraph (g)(4) 
of this AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 
8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-
249936; email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; 
Internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare.
    (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 2, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-28533 Filed 11-9-15; 8:45 am]
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