[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44683-44686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18340]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0528; Product Identifier 2018-NE-24-AD; Amendment 
39-19717; AD 2019-16-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2018-25-01 
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 model engines. AD 
2018-25-01 required initial and repetitive inspections of the 
intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) stage 1 rotor (R1) blades, IPC 
stage 2 rotor (R2) blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, and 
removing any cracked parts from service. This AD retains those 
inspections, revises certain reinspection intervals, and adds certain 
engine models to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a 
determination by the manufacturer of the need to revise inspection 
intervals for certain affected engines. In addition, the FAA added 
recently validated additional engine models to the applicability. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 11, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 11, 
2019.
    The FAA must receive any comments on this AD by October 11, 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 AD, 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: 
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-2019-0528.

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-
0528; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 
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: Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7693; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2018-25-01, Amendment 39-19511 (83 FR 62694, 
December 6, 2018), (``AD 2018-25-01''), for all RR Trent 1000-A, Trent 
1000-C, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H 
turbofan engine models. AD 2018-25-01 required initial inspections and 
repetitive inspections of the IPC R1 blades, IPC R2 blades, and IPC 
shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, and removal of any cracked parts from 
service. AD 2018-25-01 resulted from the manufacturer determining the 
need for repetitive inspections of the IPC R1 blades, IPC R2 blades, 
and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts. The FAA issued AD 2018-25-01 to 
prevent failure of the IPC, which could result in failure of one or 
more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2018-25-01 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2018-25-01, RR determined that inspection 
intervals for certain affected engines need to be revised. Also, since 
the FAA issued AD 2018-25-01, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) has issued EASA AD 2019-0075, dated March 29, 2019 (``the 
MCAI''), which requires initial and repetitive inspections of IPC R1 
blades, IPC R2 blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts installed 
on certain engines and removal of any cracked parts from service.
    Also, since the FAA issued AD 2018-25-01, the type certificate (TC) 
for all Trent 1000 turbofan model engines was revised to add RR Trent 
1000-AE2 and Trent 1000-CE2 engine models to the list of applicable 
engine models. Both Trent 1000-AE2 and Trent 1000-CE2 engine models 
were identified in EASA AD 2019-0075 and are subject to the same unsafe 
condition as the other models listed in the Applicability of this AD.
    In addition, Rolls-Royce plc transferred TC E00076EN to Rolls-Royce 
Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) on February 21, 2019. The FAA has 
therefore revised the TC holder name from ``Rolls-Royce plc'' in AD 
2018-25-01 to ``Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG'' in this AD. Where 
applicable, for example when referring to the relevant service 
information, the FAA continues to use the name ``Rolls-Royce plc'' in 
this AD.
    The FAA also updated our estimate for labor hours when replacing 
the IPC

[[Page 44684]]

blades and the IPC drum to be consistent with the estimates provided in 
the service information.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
Trent 1000 72-AK130, Revision 4, dated March 4, 2019, and RR NMSB Trent 
1000 72-K132, Revision 2, dated March 26, 2019. RR Alert NMSB Trent 
1000 72-AK130 describes procedures for performing initial and 
repetitive inspections of the IPC R1 blades, IPC R2 blades, and IPC 
shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, and lists engine serial numbers. RR NMSB 
Trent 1000 72-K132, describes procedures for replacement of the IPC R1 
blades, IPC R2 blades, and the IP compressor drum during refurbishment. 
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 NMSB Trent 1000 72-K099, Revision 2, dated 
September 27, 2018, and earlier revisions; RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K100, 
Initial Issue, dated June 11, 2018; RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K129, Initial 
Issue, dated June 11, 2018; and RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K129, Revision 3, 
dated February 28, 2019, and earlier revisions. RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-
K099, Initial Issue, and RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K099, Revision 2, and 
earlier revisions, describe procedure for an ultrasonic inspection of 
the IPC R1 blades. RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K100, Initial Issue, describes 
procedures for a visual borescope inspection of the IPC R2 blades and 
IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts. RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K129, Revision 
3, and earlier revisions, describe procedures for an ultrasonic 
inspection of the IPC R2 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 EASA AD 2019-0075, dated March 29, 2019, 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 initial and repetitive inspections of the IPC R1 
blades, IPC R2 blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, and 
removal of any cracked parts from service.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    This AD requires inspections of any affected IPC part to be 
completed within 15 days of the effective date of this AD. EASA AD 
2019-0075, dated March 29, 2019, requires inspection of certain 
affected IPC parts to be completed within 30 days of the effective date 
of EASA AD 2019-0075. The FAA expects most operators have already 
complied with EASA AD and find that completing the inspections within 
15 days of the effective date of this AD provides an appropriate level 
of safety.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD interim action. The manufacturer is still 
reviewing this unsafe condition and may develop follow-on actions.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, the FAA finds 
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.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and the FAA did not provide you with notice and an opportunity 
to provide your comments before it becomes effective. 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-2019-0528 and product identifier 
2018-NE-24-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 we receive, 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 we receive 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 the 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:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect IPC blades and dovetail posts.  20 work-hours x $85 per               $0          $1,700              $0
                                         hour = $1700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these replacements:

[[Page 44685]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace IPC R1 blade.......................  128 work-hours x $85 per hour =              $1,528         $12,408
                                              $10,880.
Replace IPC R2 blade.......................  128 work-hours x $85 per hour =                 993          11,873
                                              $10,880.
Replace IPC 1-8 drum.......................  224 work-hours x $85 per hour =           1,365,219       1,384,259
                                              $19,040.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, I certify that 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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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) 
2018-25-01, Amendment 39-19511 (83 FR 62694, December 6, 2018), and 
adding the following new AD:

2019-16-14 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-19717; 
Docket No. FAA-2019-0528; Product Identifier 2018-NE-24-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 11, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-25-01, Amendment 39-19511 (83 FR 62694, 
December 6, 2018).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG 
(RRD) Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, 
Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H turbofan 
model engines.

(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 rotor blade 
separations resulting in engine failures. The FAA is 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) Within 15 days of the effective date of this AD, or within 
the compliance times specified in the Accomplishment Instructions, 
Table 1, of Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service 
Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK130, Revision 4, dated March 4, 2019 
(``RR Alert NMSB Trent 100 72-AK130''), whichever occurs later, 
perform an on-wing inspection of the IPC stage 1 rotor (R1) blades 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
3.A.(1), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130.
    (2) Thereafter, repeat the on-wing inspections of the IPC R1 
blades using the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1), and 
within the compliance times specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Table 1, of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130.
    (3) Within 15 days of the effective date of this AD, or before 
exceeding the applicable threshold defined in the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Table 2 or Table 3, of RR Alert NSMB 72-AK130, 
whichever occurs later, perform an on-wing inspection of the IPC 
stage 2 rotor (R2) blades and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.(1) 
and 3.C.(1), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130.
    (4) After performing the inspection in paragraph (g)(3) of this 
AD, repeat the on-wing inspections of IPC R2 blades and IPC shaft 
stage 2 dovetail posts using paragraphs 3.B.(1) and 3.C.(1) of RR 
Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130 and within the compliance times 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions, Table 2 and Table 3, 
of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130.
    (5) For any on-wing inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) 
through (4) of this AD, provided the stated thresholds and intervals 
are not exceeded, you may substitute:
    (i) An in-shop inspection of an engine or module performed in 
accordance with the instructions of the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3.A.(2), 3.B.(2), and 3.C.(2) of the RR Alert NMSB Trent 
1000 72-AK130, Revision 4, dated March 4, 2019; or
    (ii) An in-shop piece part inspection during refurbishment in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.B.(2)(f)(vi), 3.B.(2)(g)(v), 3.B.(3)(d)(iii) of RR NMSB Trent 1000 
72-K132, Revision 2, dated March 26, 2019.
    (6) If any IPC R1 blade, IPC R2 blade, or IPC shaft stage 2 
dovetail post is found cracked during any inspection (on-wing or

[[Page 44686]]

in-shop) required by this AD, remove the cracked part from service 
and replace with a part eligible for installation before further 
flight.

(h) Inspection After Operation Under Asymmetric Power

    As of the effective date of this AD, before the next flight 
after each occurrence where engine operation in asymmetric power 
conditions was sustained for more than 30 minutes at less than 
25,000 feet, either resulting from engine power reduction or from 
engine in-flight shut-down (IFSD), inspect the IPC R1 blades, the 
IPC R2 blades, and the IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A.(1), 
3.B.(1), and 3.C.(1), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, Revision 
4, dated March 4, 2019, on the engine that did not experience the 
power reduction or IFSD installed on the airplane.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the inspections required by paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (3) of this AD if you performed these inspections before 
the effective date of this AD using RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-
AK130, Revision 3, dated January 10, 2019, or earlier revisions.

(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 (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Dorie Resnik, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7693; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0075, dated March 29, 2019, 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-2019-0528.

(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, Revision 4, dated March 4, 2019.
    (ii) RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K132, Revision 2, dated March 26, 
2019.
    (3) For RR service information identified in this AD, 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: 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 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.
    (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 August 21, 2019.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-18340 Filed 8-26-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P