[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 5, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30955-30958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14050]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0187; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-08-AD; 
Amendment 39-18893; AD 2017-10-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 
1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, 
and Trent 1000-L2 turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and 
repetitive on-wing inspections of affected intermediate pressure 
compressor (IPC) rotor seals. This AD was prompted by a failure of the 
IPC rotor seal. We are

[[Page 30956]]

issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 20, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 20, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 21, 2017.

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: 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 AD, contact Rolls-Royce 
plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; 
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, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also 
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0187.

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-2017-
0187; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), 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

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0187; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-NE-08-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2017-0017, dated February 1, 2017 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Recently, a low speed abort (60 to 65 knots) occurred on take-
off on a Trent 1000-powered Boeing 787 aeroplane. The pilot 
performed a commanded engine shutdown and the aeroplane safely 
returned to the gate. Following investigation, failure and release 
of the intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) rotor seal was 
confirmed as having caused this event. RR have confirmed that other 
IPC rotor seals, Part Number (P/N) KH19098, have been found with 
cracking at the seal head. This condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to engine power loss, possibly resulting in 
reduced control of the aeroplane.

    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-2017-0187.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RR has issued Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 
1000 72-AJ467, Revision 1, dated February 13, 2017; and NMSB Trent 1000 
72-J353, Revision 1, dated November 24, 2016. The Alert NMSB describes 
procedures for initial and repetitive inspections of affected IPC rotor 
seal. The NMSB describes procedures for in-shop inspections of affected 
IPC rotor seals. 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 and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by EASA, 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 issuing this AD 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. 
This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of affected IPC 
rotor seal for cracks.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 0 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of IPC rotor seal..........  12.5 work-hours x $85                 $0       $1,062.50              $0
                                         per hour = $1,062.50.
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[[Page 30957]]

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2017-10-19 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-18893; Docket No. FAA-2017-
0187; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-08-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 20, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A2, Trent 
1000-C2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, 
Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 turbofan engines 
with intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) rotor seal, part number 
(P/N) KH19098, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 7230, Turbine Engine, 
Compressor Section.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by failure of the IPC rotor seal. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the IPC rotor seal, loss of 
engine thrust control, and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Perform an on-wing borescope inspection (BSI) of the IPC 
rotor seal using paragraph 3, Accomplishment Instructions, of RR 
Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AJ467, 
Revision 1, dated February 13, 2017 as follows:
    (i) For engines with an IPC rotor seal with 300 flight cycles 
(FC) or more before August 2017, perform a BSI before August 2017.
    (ii) For engines with an IPC rotor seal with less than 300 FC 
before August 2017, perform a BSI before the IPC rotor seal 
accumulates 300 FC.
    (2) Depending on the findings of the inspection(s) required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, repeat the on-wing BSI at intervals not 
to exceed those specified in Figures 2 or 4 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 
1000 72-AJ467, Revision 1, dated February 13, 2017.
    (3) An in-shop inspection in accordance with paragraph 3, 
Accomplishment Instructions, of RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-J353, Revision 
1, dated November 24, 2016, may be substituted for an on-wing BSI as 
required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, within the 
compliance times specified.
    (4) After the effective date of this AD, do not operate an 
aircraft, having two engines installed that are both subject to the 
20 FC IPC rotor seal re-inspection interval specified in Figure 4 of 
RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AJ467, Revision 1, dated February 13, 
2017.
    (5) If, during an on-wing inspection as required by paragraphs 
(g)(1) or (2) of this AD, or an in-shop inspection as specified in 
paragraph (g)(3) of this AD, any crack is found on the rear face of 
the affected IPC rotor seal that is at or beyond the reject limits 
specified in Figure 4 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AJ467, Revision 
1, dated February 13, 2017, replace the IPC rotor seal with a part 
eligible for installation, before next flight.
    (6) Replacing the IPC rotor seal on an engine, as required by 
paragraph (g)(5) of this AD, is not terminating action for the 
inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD for 
that engine.
    (7) No reports requested in any of the Alert NMSBs that are 
referenced in paragraphs (g)(1), (2), and (3) of this AD are 
required by this AD.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for inspections and corrective action that 
are required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if you performed these 
actions and corrective action before the effective date of this AD, 
using RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AJ467, Initial Issue, dated 
November 9. 2016; or RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-J353, Initial Issue, 
dated August 25, 2016, or Revision 1, dated November 24, 2016.

(i) 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].

(j) 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 AD 2017-0017, dated February 1, 2017, 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-2017-0187.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
(NMSB) Trent 1000 72-J353, Revision 1, dated November 24, 2016.
    (ii) RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AJ467, Revision 1, dated 
February 13, 2017.
    (3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
England, DE24 8BJ; 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200

[[Page 30958]]

District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
    (5) You may view this service information at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 11, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14050 Filed 7-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P