[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34758-34761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15668]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0590; Product Identifier 2018-NE-24-AD; Amendment 
39-19319; AD 2018-13-07]
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 all 
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-D, Trent 
1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H turbofan engine models. This AD 
requires inspecting the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) stage 1 
rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts, 
and removing any cracked parts from service. This AD was prompted by 
crack findings on the IPC rotor blades, which could lead to separations 
resulting in engine failures. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 7, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 7, 
2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 6, 2018.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, 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: 
royce.com">corporate.care@rolls-royce.com; internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0590.

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-2018-
0590; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European

[[Page 34759]]

Community, has issued EASA AD 2018-0128, dated June 12, 2018 (referred 
to hereinafter as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported on RR Trent 1000 `Pack B' engines, 
where some IPC Rotor 1 and Rotor 2 blades were found cracked.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to in-
flight blade release, possibly resulting in reduced control of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, RR issued the NMSB 
and the applicable NMSB to provide instructions to inspect IPC Rotor 
1 blades, IPC Rotor 2 blades (front and rear face) and IPC shaft 
Stage 2 dovetail posts.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the affected parts and, depending on the 
findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

    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-2018-0590.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 
1000 72-AK130, Initial Issue, dated June 11, 2018. The NMSB describes 
procedures for performing a one-time inspection of the IPC stage 1 
rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts, 
and lists engine serial numbers. 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.

Other Related Service Information

    We reviewed RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K099, Initial Issue, dated June 
11, 2018; RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K100, Initial Issue, dated June 11, 
2018; and RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K129, Initial Issue, dated June 11, 
2018. RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K099 describes procedures for an ultrasonic 
inspection of the IPC stage 1 rotor blades. RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K100 
describes procedures for a visual borescope inspection of the IPC stage 
2 rotor blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts. RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-
K129 describes procedures for an ultrasonic inspection of the IPC stage 
2 rotor blades.

FAA's Determination

    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 the relevant 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of 
the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires inspecting the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 
2 rotor blades, and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts, and removing any 
cracked parts from service.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find good 
cause that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
unnecessary. In addition, for the reason stated above, we find that 
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 
days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2018-
0590 and Product Identifier 2018-NE-24-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
final rule 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 final rule.

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect IPC blades and dovetail post..  20 work-hours x $85 per               $0          $1,700              $0
                                         hour = $1,700.
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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.
    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 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

    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

[[Page 34760]]

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, 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):

2018-13-07 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-19319; Docket No. FAA-2018-
0590; Product Identifier 2018-NE-24-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 7, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A, Trent 
1000-C, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H 
turbofan engine models.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of intermediate-pressure 
compressor (IPC) rotor blade cracks, which could lead to separations 
resulting in engine failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the IPC. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, 
and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Inspect the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, at the applicable 
compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever comes first:
    (i) Within 30 days for the serial number IPC modules installed 
in the referenced serial number engines listed in Group 1 in 
Appendix 1 of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
Trent 1000 72-AK130, dated June 11, 2018, using the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-
AK130, dated June 11, 2018.
    (ii) Within 60 days for all IPC modules not listed in Group 1 in 
Appendix 1 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, dated June 11, 
2018, using the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1)(a), 
of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, dated June 11, 2018. Those 
serial number IPC modules specifically identified in Group 2 in 
Appendix 1 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, dated June 11, 
2018, do not require inspection.
    (iii) At the next engine shop visit, using the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(2)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-
AK130, dated June 11, 2018.
    (2) For IPC modules with 1,000 or more flight cycles, inspect 
the IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts within 
30 days of the effective date of this AD or at the next engine shop 
visit, whichever comes first.
    (i) For IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts 
inspected on-wing, use Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.B.(1)(a) and 3.C.(1)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, 
dated June 11, 2018.
    (ii) For IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts 
inspected in shop, use Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.B.(2)(a) and 3.C.(2)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, 
dated June 11, 2018.
    (3) For engines that are in an engine shop visit on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC 
stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts before 
returning the engine to service.
    (4) If any IPC stage 1 rotor blade, IPC stage 2 rotor blade, or 
an IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail post is found cracked during any 
inspection required by this AD, remove the part from service and 
replace the part with a part eligible for installation before 
further flight.

(h) Definition

    An ''engine shop visit'' is the induction of an engine into the 
shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major 
mating engine flanges (lettered flanges). The separation of engine 
flanges solely for the purpose of transportation of the engine 
without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine 
shop visit.

(i) Special Flight Permits

    (1) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are subject to the requirements of paragraph (i)(1)(i) 
of this AD.
    (i) Operators who are prohibited from further flight due to an 
IPC stage 1 rotor blade, IPC stage 2 rotor blade, or an IPC stage 2 
dovetail post being found cracked, may perform a one-time non-
revenue ferry flight to a location where the engine can be removed 
from service. This ferry flight must be performed without 
passengers, involve non-extended operations (ETOPS), and consume no 
more than three flight cycles.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) Reserved.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, 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 
certification office, 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 Kevin M. Clark, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-
0128, dated June 12, 2018, for more information. You may examine the 
EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0590.

(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 
(NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK130, Initial issue, dated June 11, 2018.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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: royce.com">corporate.care@rolls-royce.com; internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington,

[[Page 34761]]

MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7759.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 July 17, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15668 Filed 7-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P