[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 22, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11327-11329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03283]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9553; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-29-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation 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 
certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007C and 3007C1 model 
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by analysis and by 
cracks found in the high-pressure turbine (HPT) wheel during an 
inspection. This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected 
HPT wheels at new, lower life limits. We are proposing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 10, 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.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Rolls-
Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-06, 
Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-3774; email: 
royce.com">indy.pubs.services@rolls-royce.com; Internet: www.rolls-royce.com. 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-2016-
9553; 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 regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street 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: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 
847-294-7834; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-9553; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-29-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

    We learned from RRC that cracks were found in the HPT wheel during 
an inspection. Investigation determined that, for certain part number 
(P/N) HPT wheels, incomplete shot peening in the internal shaft fillet 
resulted in reduced fatigue life. For other affected P/N HPT wheels, 
the polishing wheel used in the manufacturing process created an 
unfavorable surface finish, known as ``Black Wheel Polish,'' that could 
lead to crack initiation. We are, therefore, lowering the life limits 
for these affected HPT wheels. These conditions, if not corrected, 
could result in uncontained failure of the HPT wheels, damage to the 
engine, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 3007C-A-72-318, 
Revision 2, dated September 23, 2016.

[[Page 11328]]

The ASB provides updated life limits for the affected HPT wheels. 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.

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 the affected HPT 
wheels at new, lower life limits.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 307 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost              Parts cost          product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of HPT wheel (P/N      0 work-hours x $85 per    $39,171 (pro-rated          $39,171      $3,838,758
 23062373, 23065891, or 23070664)   hour = $0.                cost of part).
 at reduced life.
Replacement of HPT wheel (P/N      0 work-hours x $85 per    21,911 (pro-rated            21,911       4,579,399
 23063462, 23065892, 23069116,      hour = $0.                cost of part).
 23069592, or 23074643) at
 reduced life.
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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):

Roll-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate previously held by Allison 
Engine Company): Docket No. FAA-2016-9553; Directorate Identifier 
2016-NE-29-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 10, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007C 
and 3007C1 turbofan engines with 1st stage high-pressure turbine 
(HPT) wheels, part number (P/N) 23062373, 23065891, or 23070664; or 
with 2nd stage HPT wheels, P/N 23063462, 23065892, 23069116, 
23069592 (except those serial numbers (S/Ns) noted in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this AD), or 23074643, installed.
    (2) This AD does not apply to RRC AE 3007C and 3007C1 turbofan 
engines with 2nd stage HPT wheels, P/N 23069592, with S/Ns listed in 
Table 6 of RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 3007C-A-72-318, 
Revision 2, dated September 23, 2016, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine/
turboprop Engine, Turbine Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by analysis and by cracks found in the HPT 
wheel during an inspection. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
uncontained failure of the HPT wheels, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For all RRC AE 3007C or C1 engines with an installed 1st 
stage HPT wheel, P/N 23062373, 23065891, or 23070664, or 2nd stage 
HPT wheel, P/N 23063462, 23065892, 23069116, 23069592 (except those 
S/Ns excluded by paragraph (c)(2) of this AD) or 23074643, after the 
effective date of this AD, remove the affected wheels before 
exceeding the new life limits identified in paragraph C., Table 1 of 
RRC ASB AE 3007C-A-72-318, Revision 2, dated September 23, 2016.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not return to 
service any engine with an HPT turbine wheel, with an affected P/N 
and an S/N, with a wheel life that exceeds the new life limits 
identified in paragraph C., Table 1 of RRC ASB AE 3007C-A-72-318, 
Revision 2, dated September 23, 2016.

[[Page 11329]]

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for 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 Kyri 
Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification 
Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des 
Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For RRC service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-
06, Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-3774; email: 
royce.com">indy.pubs.services@rolls-royce.com; Internet: www.rolls-royce.com.
    (3) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 27, 2017.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03283 Filed 2-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P