[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12841-12843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05463]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25513; Directorate Identifier 99-NE-61-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 supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2006-18-
14 that applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Tay 
650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines. AD 2006-18-14 requires 
calculating and re-establishing the cyclic life of stage 1 high-
pressure turbine (HPT) disks, part number (P/N) JR32013 and P/N 
JR33838, and stage 1 low-pressure turbine (LPT) disk, P/N JR32318A. 
This proposed AD would require re-calculating the cyclic life, and 
would impose a reduced cyclic life, of stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR32013. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of stage 1 HPT disks, P/N 
JR32013 and P/N JR33838, and stage 1 LPT disk, P/N JR32318A, which 
could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 10, 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 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, 1200 District Avenue, 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-2006-
25513; 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, 1200 
District Avenue, 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-2006-
25513; Directorate Identifier 99-NE-61-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 August 30, 2006, we issued AD 2006-18-14, Amendment 39-14753 (71 
FR 52988, September 8, 2006), for all RRD Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 
turbofan engines. AD 2006-18-14 requires calculating and re-
establishing the cyclic life of stage 1 HPT disks, P/N JR32013 and P/N 
JR33838, and stage 1 LPT disk, P/N JR32318A, that have been exposed to 
different engine flight plan profiles. AD 2006-18-14 also requires 
removing from service, using a drawdown schedule, those stage 1 HPT 
disks and stage 1 LPT disks operated under Tay 650-15 engine flight 
plan profiles A, B, C, or D; or operated under the Tay 651-54 engine 
datum flight profile, at reduced cyclic life limits. AD 2006-18-14 
resulted from RRD updating their low-cycle-fatigue analysis for stage 1 
HPT disks and stage 1 LPT disks and reducing their cyclic life limits. 
We issued AD 2006-18-14 to prevent cracks leading to turbine disk 
failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage 
to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2006-18-14 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2006-18-14, RRD reviewed the cyclic life limit 
of parts affected by AD 2006-18-14; RRD concluded that the stage 1 HPT 
disk, P/N JR32013, requires further cyclic life limit reduction. RRD 
did not further reduce the cyclic life limit of stage 1 HPT disk, P/N 
JR33838, or stage 1 LPT disk, P/N JR32318A. Accordingly, the cyclic 
life limits of stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR33838, and stage 1 LPT disk, P/N 
JR32318A, as imposed by AD 2006-18-14, remain unchanged in this 
proposed AD.
    Since AD 2006-18-14 was issued, the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) issued AD 2015-0056, dated March 31, 2015 to reduce the cyclic 
life limits of the stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR32013.

[[Page 12842]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RRD has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 
TAY-72-A1821, Revision 1 dated March 26, 2015. The Alert NMSB describes 
procedures to re-calculate the consumed cyclic life of stage 1 HPT 
disk, P/N JR32013. 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 re-calculating and re-establishing 
the cyclic life of stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR32013. This proposed AD 
would also require removing from service those stage 1 HPT disks, P/N 
JR32013, depending on engine flight plan profiles and engine models, at 
certain reduced cyclic life limits, using a drawdown schedule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 25 engines installed on 
airplanes 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. The pro-rated life limit reduction cost is about 
$23,053 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $577,388.

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) 
2006-18-14, Amendment 39-14753 (71 FR 52988, September 8, 2006) (``AD 
2006-18-14''), and adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (formerly Rolls-Royce plc): 
Docket No. FAA-2006-25513; Directorate Identifier 99-NE-61-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 10, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2006-18-14.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co (RRD) KG Tay 
650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines with stage 1 high-pressure 
turbine (HPT) disks, part number (P/N) JR32013 or P/N JR33838, or 
stage 1 low-pressure turbine (LPT) disks, P/N JR32318A, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by RRD reducing the cyclic life limit for 
certain stage 1 HPT disks, P/N JR32013. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent cracks leading to turbine disk failure, which could result 
in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Re-calculate the cyclic life of stage 1 HPT disks, P/N 
JR32013, as follows:
    (i) If a stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR32013, was ever operated under 
a different engine flight plan profile than the engine flight plan 
profile operated on the last flight, and/or was ever installed and 
operated in a different engine model, do the following:
    (A) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, re-
calculate the cyclic life for each stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR32013, 
using paragraphs 3.A.(1)(b)(1) through 3.A.(1)(b)(4) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of RRD Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin (NMSB) No. TAY-72-A1821, Revision 1, dated March 26, 2015.
    (B) Reserved.
    (ii) If you change your flight plan profile and/or install a 
stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR32013 or P/N JR33838, or stage 1 LPT disk, 
P/N JR32318A, into a different engine model after the effective date 
of this AD, re-calculate the cyclic life of the part(s) as described 
in paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) of this AD within 30 days of making the 
change.
    (2) For engines with a stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR32013, installed, 
do the following:
    (i) Remove from service any stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR32013, 
within 100 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or 
before exceeding the new, reduced cyclic life limits specified in 
paragraphs (e)(2)(i)(A) through (e)(2)(i)(E) of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, as follows:
    (A) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines operated under engine flight plan 
profile A, the new, reduced cyclic life limit is 18,900 flight 
cycles-since-new (FCSN).
    (B) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines operated under engine flight plan 
profile B, the new, reduced cyclic life limit is 15,500 FCSN.
    (C) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines operated under engine flight plan 
profile C, the new, reduced cyclic life limit is 11,500 FCSN.
    (D) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines operated under engine flight plan 
profile D, the new, reduced cyclic life limit is 9,300 FCSN.
    (E) For RRD Tay 651-54 engines operated under any engine flight 
plan profile, the new, reduced cyclic life limit is 10,873 FCSN.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For engines with a stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR33838, or stage 1 
LPT disk, P/N JR32318A, installed, do the following:
    (i) Remove from service any stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR33838, or 
stage 1 LPT disk, P/N

[[Page 12843]]

JR32318A, before exceeding the cyclic life limits specified in 
paragraphs (e)(3)(i)(A) through (e)(3)(i)(E) of this AD, as follows:
    (A) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines operated under engine flight plan 
profile A, the cyclic life limit for stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR33838, 
and stage 1 LPT disk, P/N JR32318A, is 23,000 FCSN.
    (B) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines operated under engine flight plan 
profile B, the cyclic life limit for stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR33838, 
is 20,000 FCSN; and the cyclic life limit for stage 1 LPT disk, P/N 
JR32318A, is 21,000 FCSN.
    (C) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines operated under engine flight plan 
profile C, the cyclic life limit for stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR33838, 
is 14,700 FCSN; and the cyclic life limit for stage 1 LPT disk, P/N 
JR32318A, is 18,000 FCSN.
    (D) For RRD Tay 650-15 engines operated under engine flight plan 
profile D, the cyclic life limit for stage 1 HPT disk, P/N JR33838, 
is 11,000 FCSN; and the cyclic life limit for stage 1 LPT disk, P/N 
JR32318A, is 14,250 FCSN.
    (E) For RRD Tay 651-54 engines operated under any engine flight 
plan profile, the cyclic life limit for stage 1 HPT disk, P/N 
JR33838, is 12,600 FCSN and the cyclic life limit for stage 1 LPT 
disk, P/N JR32318A, is 20,000 FCSN.
    (ii) Reserved.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any part 
identified in paragraph (e) of this AD into any engine, or return 
any engine to service with any part identified in paragraph (e) of 
this AD, installed, if the part exceeds the cyclic life limit 
specified in paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(3) of this AD.

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

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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-2006-25513.
    (3) Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Alert Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin No. TAY-72-A1821, Revision 1, dated March 26, 2015 
can be obtained from Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, 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: 49-0-33-7086-1064; fax: 49-0-
33-7086-3276.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 26, 2016.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05463 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P