[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 87 (Monday, May 6, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19745-19748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09186]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0213; Product Identifier 2019-NE-03-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
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 Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) model Tay 611-8C 
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of low-
pressure compressor (LPC) rotor blade retention lug failures. This 
proposed AD would limit the service life of the LPC rotor blades based 
on the number of dry-film lubricant (DFL) re-applications. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 20, 2019.

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.

[[Page 19746]]

     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 Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, Blankenfelde-
Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 0 33-7086-4040; fax: +49 0 33-7086-51-4040; 
email: [email protected]. 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.

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-2019-
0213; 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 NPRM, 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: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0213; 
Product Identifier 2019-NE-03-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has 
issued EASA AD 2018-0055, dated March 12, 2018 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. 
The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for the Tay 611-8C engines, which 
are approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the 
ALS. Among others, the ALS contains limitation(s) applicable to the 
maximum number of Dry Film Lubrication (DFL) treatments applied on 
fan blade retention lugs. These instructions have been identified as 
mandatory for continued airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    In addition to the ALS, RRD issued the NMSB to provide 
alternative methods to establish, in case this cannot be determined 
from the engine maintenance records, the number of DFL treatments 
that have been applied to an engine.

    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-2019-0213.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RRD Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) TAY-72-
1835, Initial Issue, dated December 15, 2017. The service information 
describes procedures for marking the LPC rotor blades with a suffix 
code during the next scheduled LPC fan blade removal. 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

    This product has been approved by Germany 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 proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require a determination of the number of DFL 
re-applications that have been applied to the LPC rotor blades and, 
depending on the number of DFL re-applications, replacement of LPC 
rotor blades.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    This proposed AD and EASA AD 2018-0055 do not include the RRD Tay 
611-8 model turbofan engines in the Applicability section, while RRD 
NMSB TAY-72-1835, Initial Issue, dated December 15, 2017, does include 
this engine model. For the RRD Tay 611-8 engines, EASA has already 
approved the new limitation to the service life of the blade. In 
addition, RRD has revised the aircraft maintenance program, on the 
basis of which the operator or the owner ensures the continuing 
airworthiness of each operated airplane (on which an affected engine is 
installed), to limit the number of DFL applications, as specified in 
this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 12 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Record Search to establish number of    1.5 work-hours x $85 per              $0         $127.50          $1,530
 DFL applications.                       hour = $127.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
these replacements:

[[Page 19747]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace LPC blade.............................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $11,270         $11,440
                                                 $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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, 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):

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2019-0213; 
Product Identifier 2019-NE-03-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 20, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Tay 
611-8C turbofan engines, with low-pressure compressor (LPC) rotor 
blades, part number (P/N) JR58319, installed.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of LPC rotor blade retention lug 
failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPC rotor 
blade. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss 
of engine power in flight, and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
determine the number of dry film lubrication (DFL) re-applications 
that were applied to each LPC rotor blade by reviewing the 
maintenance records. If a complete record of the total number of DFL 
re-applications is unavailable, count one DFL re-application for 
every 1,300 flight cycles of blade use.
    (i) If the number of DFL re-applications is less than 13, mark 
the LPC rotor blade with a suffix code during the next scheduled LPC 
fan blade removal using the instructions in the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(1)(c)[2] or 3.F.(1)(c)[2], as 
applicable, of RRD Non-Modification Service Bulletin TAY-72-1835, 
Initial Issue, dated December 15, 2017.
    (ii) If the number of DFL treatments is 13 or more, replace the 
LPC rotor blade with a part eligible for installation before next 
flight.
    (2) [Reserved]

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install a LPC rotor 
blade on any engine unless it has been determined that the LPC rotor 
blade has less than 13 DFL re-applications and has been marked in 
accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD.

(i) 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 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (j)(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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara 
Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2018-0055, dated March 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-2019-0213.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz,

[[Page 19748]]

Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 0 33-7086-4040; fax: +49 0 
33-7086-51-4040; email: [email protected]. You may view this 
referenced 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 30, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-09186 Filed 5-3-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P