[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5454-5456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00890]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0755; Directorate Identifier 2010-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) 2012-04-
01 that applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 800 model 
turbofan engines. AD 2012-04-01 requires removal from service of 
certain critical engine rotating parts based on reduced life limits. 
Since we issued AD 2012-04-01, RR has further revised the life limits 
of certain critical engine rotating parts. This proposed AD would make 
additional revisions to the life limits of certain critical engine 
rotating parts. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 6, 2017.

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.

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-2010-
0755; 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

[[Page 5455]]

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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; 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-2010-0755; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-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 10, 2012, we issued AD 2012-04-01, Amendment 39-16956 
(77 FR 10355, February 22, 2012), ``AD 2012-04-01,'' for all RR RB211-
Trent 800 model turbofan engines. AD 2012-04-01 requires removal from 
service of certain critical engine rotating parts based on reduced life 
limits. AD 2012-04-01 resulted from RR reducing the life limits of 
certain critical engine rotating parts. We issued AD 2012-04-01 to 
prevent the failure of critical engine rotating parts, which could 
result in damage to the engine and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2012-04-01 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2012-04-01, RR has reduced the life limit of two 
affected critical engine rotating parts and extended the life of an 
additional critical engine rotating part. Also since we issued AD 2012-
04-01, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued AD 2016-
0223, dated November 8, 2016, which imposes new life limits on certain 
critical engine rotating parts.

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 replacement of certain critical 
engine rotating parts at a newer, lower life limit. This proposed AD 
would also extend the life limit for an additional critical engine 
rotating part.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 16 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of critical engine      0 work-hours x $85    $45,000 (pro-rated           $45,000         $720,000
 rotating parts.                     per hour = $0.        cost of parts).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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) 
2012-04-01, Amendment 39-16956 (77 FR 10355, February 22, 2012), and 
adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2010-0755; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NE-12-AD.

[[Page 5456]]

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 6, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2012-04-01, Amendment 39-16956 (77 FR 
10355, February 22, 2012).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RR RB211-Trent 875-
17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan 
engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
(Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by RR revising the life limits of certain 
critical engine rotating parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
the failure of critical engine rotating parts, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) After the effective date of this AD, remove from service the 
parts listed in Table 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD before exceeding 
the new life limit indicated:

                                  Table 1 to Paragraph (f)--Reduced Part Lives
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                                                                                      Life in     Life in cycles
                        Part nomenclature                            Part No.      standard duty     using the
                                                                                      cycles       HEAVY profile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Pressure (IP) Compressor Rotor Shaft...............         FK24100          12,500          11,500
IP Compressor Rotor Shaft.......................................         FK24496           8,860           8,180
High-Pressure Compressor (HPC) Stage 1 to 4 Rotor Discs Shaft...         FK24009           4,560           4,460
HPC Stage 1 to 4 Rotor Discs Shaft..............................         FK26167           5,580           5,280
HPC Stage 1 to 4 Rotor Discs Shaft..............................         FK32580           5,580           5,280
HPC Stage 1 to 4 Rotor Discs Shaft..............................         FW11590           8,550           6,850
HPC Stage 1 to 4 Rotor Discs Shaft..............................         FW61622           8,550           6,850
HPC Stage 5 and 6 Discs and Cone................................         FK25230           5,000           5,000
HPC Stage 5 and 6 Discs and Cone................................         FK27899           5,000           5,000
IP Turbine Rotor Disc...........................................         FK21117          11,610          10,400
IP Turbine Rotor Disc...........................................         FK33083               0               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Reserved.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any IP 
turbine discs, P/N FK33083, into any engine.

(h) 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].

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency, AD 2016-0223, 
dated November 8, 2016, 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-2010-0755.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2017.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-00890 Filed 1-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P