[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45175-45177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20702]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0753; Product Identifier 2017-NE-25-AD; Amendment 
39-19046; AD 2017-2017-19-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, Trent 553A2-61, Trent 556-61, 
Trent 556A2-61, Trent 556B-61, Trent 556B2-61, Trent 560-61, and Trent 
560A2-61 turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement of the low-
pressure compressor (LPC) case A-frame hollow locating pins. This AD 
was prompted by LPC case A-frame hollow locating pins that may have 
reduced integrity due to incorrect heat treatment. We are issuing this 
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 13, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publications listed in this AD as of October 13, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 13, 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 and Propeller Standards Branch, 
Policy and Innovation Division,

[[Page 45176]]

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-2017-0753.

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-
0753; 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, FAA, 
ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 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-2017-0753; Product 
Identifier 2017-NE-25-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 2017-0012, dated January 25, 2017 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    All low pressure compressor (LPC) case A-frame hollow locating 
pins, Part Number (P/N) FK32009, manufactured since 2012 have 
potentially been subjected to incorrect heat treatment. This may 
have reduced the integrity of the pin such that in a Fan Blade Off 
(FBO) event it is unable to withstand the applied loads. This 
condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of location of the 
A-frame following an FBO event, possibly resulting in engine 
separation, loss of thrust reverser unit, release of high-energy 
debris, or an uncontrolled fire. To address this potential unsafe 
condition, RR identified the affected engines that have these A-
frame hollow locating pins installed and published Alert NMSB 
RB.211-72-AJ451, providing instructions for replacement of these 
pins. For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time 
replacement of the A-frame hollow locating pins P/N FK32009 on the 
affected engines.

    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-2017-0753.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RR has issued Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 
RB.211-72-AJ451, Revision 1, dated March 10, 2017. The SB describes 
procedures for replacement of all non-conforming A-frame locating pins. 
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 the aviation authority of the 
United Kingdom, 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 replacement of all non-
conforming A-frame locating pins.

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 unnecessary and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects no 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-frame pin replacement............  4 work-hours x $85 per hour         $450.00         $790.00              $0
                                      = $340.00.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance

[[Page 45177]]

of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness 
Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has 
delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, 
and associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller 
Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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):

2017-19-16 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-19046; Docket No. FAA-2017-
0753; Product Identifier 2017-NE-25-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 13, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 
Trent 553A2-61, Trent 556-61, Trent 556A2-61, Trent 556B-61, Trent 
556B2-61, Trent 560-61, and Trent 560A2-61 turbofan engines with an 
engine serial number (ESN) listed in Section 1.A., Effectivity, of 
RR Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AJ451, 
Revision 1, dated March 10, 2017.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by low-pressure compressor (LPC) case A-
frame hollow locating pins that may have reduced integrity due to 
incorrect heat treatment. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the locating pins, engine separation, and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    At the next scheduled maintenance inspection after the effective 
date of this AD, but no later than January 1, 2018, replace each 
affected LPC case A-frame hollow locating pin with a part eligible 
for installation using Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions, of RR 
Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AJ451, Revision 1, dated March 10, 2017.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any engine 
with an affected LPC case A-frame hollow locating pin.

(i) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD:
    (1) An affected LPC case A-frame hollow locating pin is part 
number (P/N) FK32009, except those with an original RR authorized 
release certificate dated July 5, 2016, or later.
    (2) A part eligible for installation is an LPC case A-frame 
hollow locating pin with an original RR authorized release 
certificate dated July 5, 2016, or later.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness 
Division, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance 
with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or 
local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ECO Branch, send it to 
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this 
AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ECO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness 
Division, 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 2017-0012, 
dated January 25, 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-2017-0753.

(l) 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) Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin 
RB.211-72-AJ451, Revision 1, dated March 10, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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 and 
Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 1200 
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 September 13, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20702 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P