[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29423-29426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13194]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0425; Product Identifier 2016-NE-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede airworthiness directive (AD)
2016-24-08 which applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 875-
17, RB211-Trent 877-17, RB211-Trent 884-17, RB211-Trent 884B-17, RB211-
Trent 892-17, RB211-Trent 892B-17, and RB211-Trent 895-17 model
turbofan engines. AD 2016-24-08 requires repetitive inspections of the
engine upper fairing and repair or replacement of any fairing that
fails inspection. Since the FAA issued AD 2016-24-08, RR has developed
a modification of the engine upper bifurcation nose fairing assembly
that terminates the inspection requirements of this AD. This proposed
AD would continue the repetitive inspections until the terminating
action is performed at the next engine shop visit. The FAA is proposing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 8,
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: 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 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,
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-
0425; 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, 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:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0425;
Product Identifier 2016-NE-13-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments we receive, without change, to
http://
[[Page 29424]]
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact we receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The FAA issued AD 2016-24-08, Amendment 39-18725 (81 FR 86567,
December 1, 2016), (``AD 2016-24-08''), for all RR RB211-Trent 875-17,
RB211-Trent 877-17, RB211-Trent 884-17, RB211-Trent 884B-17, RB211-
Trent 892-17, RB211-Trent 892B-17, and RB211-Trent 895-17 model
turbofan engines. AD 2016-24-08 requires repetitive inspections of the
engine upper bifurcation fairing and repair or replacement of any
fairing that fails inspection. AD 2016-24-08 resulted from reports of
cracking and material release from an engine upper bifurcation fairing.
The FAA issued AD 2016-24-08 to prevent failure of the engine fire
protection system, engine fire, and damage to the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2016-24-08 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2016-24-08, RR has developed a modification
of the engine upper bifurcation nose fairing assembly. Performance of
this modification terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of
this AD. Also since the FAA issued AD 2016-24-08, the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued AD 2018-0088, dated April 18,
2018, which requires repetitive inspections of the engine upper
bifurcation fairing until modification of the engine upper bifurcation
nose fairing assembly at the next engine shop visit.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed RR Service Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-J803, Revision
1, dated July 13, 2018, and Initial Issue, dated December 7, 2017. This
service information describes procedures for modification of the engine
upper bifurcation nose fairing assembly. 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
The FAA reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB)
RB.211-72-AJ165, Revision 2, dated August 21, 2018. This service
information provides guidance on upper bifurcation fairing inspection
locations. The FAA also reviewed AMM TASK 70-20-02, Water Washable
Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (Maintenance Process 213), and OMat
632, high sensitivity fluorescent penetrant inspection. This service
information provides guidance on performing a fluorescent penetrant
inspection.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information 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 retain the repetitive inspection
requirements of AD 2016-24-08. This proposed AD would also require
modification of the engine upper bifurcation nose fairing assembly at
the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 125 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................ 3.25 work-hours x $85 $0 $276.25 $34,531
per hour = $276.25.
Modification of engine upper 2 work-hours x $85 per 50 220 27,500
bifurcation nose fairing assembly. hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs
or replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
engines that might need these repairs or replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair of engine upper bifurcation fairing. 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680. $500 $1,180
Replacement of engine upper bifurcation 30 work hours x $85 per hour = 500 3,050
fairing. $2,550.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
[[Page 29425]]
applicable to engines, propellers, and associated appliances to the
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation
Division.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has 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 that the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2016-24-08, Amendment 39-18725 (81 FR 86567, December 1, 2016), and
adding the following new AD:
Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2019-0425; Product Identifier 2016-
NE-13-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 8,
2019.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2016-24-08, Amendment 39-18725 (81 FR 86567,
December 1, 2016).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 875-17,
RB211-Trent 877-17, RB211-Trent 884-17, RB211-Trent 884B-17, RB211-
Trent 892-17, RB211-Trent 892B-17, and RB211-Trent 895-17 model
turbofan engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7130, Engine
Fireseals.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking and material release
from an engine upper bifurcation fairing. The FAA is issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the engine fire control system. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed could result in engine fire and damage
to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 7,500 engine flight hours (FHs) since new, or since
the last inspection, or within 150 flight cycles (FCs) after the
January 5, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2016-24-08), whichever
occurs later, inspect the engine upper bifurcation fairing for
cracks or missing material. Use paragraph (g)(3) of this AD to
perform the inspection.
(2) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this
AD within every 7,500 engine FHs since last inspection.
(3) Inspect the engine upper bifurcation fairing as follows.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(3): Figure 1 of RR Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AJ165, Revision 2,
dated August 21, 2018, provides guidance on upper bifurcation
fairing inspection locations.
(i) Visually inspect upper bifurcation fairing seal face 22,
seal support 23, and Zone A for any cracks or material loss on the
right side.
(A) If fairing seal face 22 is found to have released material,
repair or replace the fairing before further flight.
(B) If there is a single crack found on fairing seal face 22,
shorter than 6 mm, repair or replace the fairing within 100 engine
FCs, or at the next shop visit, whichever occurs sooner.
(C) If there is a single crack, longer than 6 mm, found on
fairing seal face 22, repair or replace the fairing within 15 engine
FCs or at the next shop visit, whichever occurs sooner.
(D) If there are two or more cracks found on fairing seal face
22, replace the fairing within 15 engine FCs or at next shop visit,
whichever occurs sooner.
(E) If there is any cracking or material loss found on seal
support 23, replace the fairing within 15 engine FCs or at next shop
visit, whichever occurs sooner.
(ii) If the visual inspection required by paragraph (g)(3)(i) of
this AD does not detect any cracks, fluorescent penetrant inspect
Zone A.
(A) If a crack shorter than 6 mm is detected, repair or replace
the fairing within 100 engine FCs, or at the next shop visit,
whichever occurs sooner.
(B) If a crack longer than 6 mm is detected, repair or replace
the fairing within 15 engine FCs or at the next shop visit,
whichever occurs sooner.
Note 2 to paragraph (g)(3)(ii): AMM TASK 70-20-02, Water
Washable Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (Maintenance Process 213),
and OMat 632, high sensitivity fluorescent penetrant inspection,
provide guidance on performing a fluorescent penetrant inspection.
(h) Mandatory Terminating Action
At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this
AD, modify the upper bifurcation fairing assembly in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3., of RR Service
Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-J803, Revision 1, dated July 13, 2018, or
Original Issue, dated December 7, 2017. Installation of a modified
upper bifurcation fairing assembly is terminating action to the
inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3) of this AD.
(i) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD do not install an upper
bifurcation fairing assembly, part number FK25470, onto any engine.
(j) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, a ``shop visit'' is defined as
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that the
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation without subsequent engine maintenance does not
constitute an engine shop visit.
(k) 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 (l) 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.
(l) 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
2018-0088, dated April 18, 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-2019-0425.
(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: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp;
internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare.
You may
[[Page 29426]]
view this referenced 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 17, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-13194 Filed 6-21-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P