[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27508-27510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12461]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0338; Product Identifier 2019-NE-10-AD; Amendment
39-19653; AD 2019-11-07]
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: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524G2-19, RB211-524G2-T-19, RB211-524G3-19,
RB211-524G3-T-19, RB211-524H2-19, RB211-524H2-T-19, RB211-524H-36 and
RB211-524H-T-36 engines. This AD requires removal of affected low-
pressure compressor (LPC) shafts. This AD was prompted by unauthorized
repairs to the affected LPC shafts that reduced their expected life.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
[[Page 27509]]
DATES: This AD is effective June 28, 2019.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 29, 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.
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, United
Kingdom, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936;
email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; internet:
https://www.aeromanager.com. You may view this service information at
the FAA, Engine and 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-2019-0338.
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-
0338; 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 is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eugene Triozzi, Aerospace Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
781-238-7148; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 2018-0157, dated July 24, 2018 (referred to after this
as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
It was reported that a number of low pressure (LP) compressor
shafts have undergone unauthorised repairs, which were found to be
detrimental to the approved shaft life.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to fracture of the
LP compressor shaft and release of high energy debris, possibly
resulting in damage to, and reduced control of, the aeroplane.
To address this potentially unsafe condition, it has been
decided that a life reduction must be imposed for those LP
compressor shafts known to have been repaired. However, the history
of some shafts has not been determined and the unauthorised repairs
may not have been confirmed. To address all the shafts that have
possibly been subject to the unauthorised repairs, RR issued the
NMSB to provide instructions to reduce the life of the affected
shafts.
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-2019-0338.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce Alert Non-Modification Service
Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.211-72-AJ985, Initial Issue, dated April 17,
2018. The NMSB reduces the current declared cyclic life for the
affected LPC shafts.
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. The FAA is 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 removal of the affected LPC shafts at a reduced
cyclic life limit.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, the FAA finds
good cause that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
unnecessary. In addition, for the reason stated above, the FAA finds
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, the FAA invites 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-2019-
0338 and Product Identifier 2019-NE-10-AD at the beginning of your
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 0 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 27510]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace LPT shaft..................... 0 work-hours x $85 per $113,524 $113,524 $0
hour = $0.
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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.
The FAA is 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 government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, the FAA certifies this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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):
2019-11-07 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-19653; Docket No. FAA-2019-
0338; Product Identifier 2019-NE-10-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective June 28, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524G2-19,
RB211-524G2-T-19, RB211-524G3-19, RB211-524G3-T-19, RB211-524H2-19,
RB211-524H2-T-19, RB211-524H-36 and RB211-524H-T-36 engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by unauthorized repairs to the affected
low-pressure compressor (LPC) shafts that reduced their expected
life. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPC
shaft. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
uncontained release of the LPC shaft, damage to the engine, and
damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 30 days from the effective date of this AD or before
exceeding 10,500 flight cycles (FCs) since new, whichever occurs
later, remove LPC shaft, part number (P/N) UL24833, with serial
numbers (S/Ns) PATH3113; PATH3121; PAVN1765, PAVN1853, PAVN2152,
PAVN2157, PAVN2259, PAVN2636, PAVN2991, or PAVN2992.
(h) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install an LPC
shaft, P/N UL24833 and with S/Ns PATH3113; PATH3121; PAVN1765,
PAVN1853, PAVN2152, PAVN2157, PAVN2259, PAVN2636, PAVN2991, or
PAVN2992, with 10,500 FCs since new, or greater, on any engine.
(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
certification office, 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 Eugene Triozzi,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7148; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2018-0157, dated July 24, 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-2019-0338.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 6, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-12461 Filed 6-12-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P