[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]
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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.
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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
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Inspect IPC blades and dovetail posts. 20 work-hours x $85 per $0 $1,700 $0
hour = $1700.
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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.
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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, 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]
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