[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 11, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48482-48485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17389]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0687; Project Identifier AD-2020-00571-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Allison Engine Company) Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100A, AE 2100D2, AE 2100D2A, 
and AE 2100P model turboprop engines. This proposed AD was prompted by 
a report of a propeller gearbox (PGB) development test conducted by the 
manufacturer, in which high vibration occurred due to a fatigue crack 
that initiated in the PGB shaft and carrier assembly. This proposed AD 
would require assignment of usage hours to the PGB shaft and carrier 
assembly at the next engine shop visit and replacement of PGB shaft and 
carrier assemblies prior to exceeding the new life limits established 
by the manufacturer. 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 September 
25, 2020.

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 https://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 Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-06, 
Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-1667; email: royce.com">CMSEindyOSD@rolls-royce.com; internet: www.rolls-royce.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0687; 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, 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: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; 
phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites 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-2020-0687; 
Project Identifier AD-2020-00571-E'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this NPRM because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information as described in the 
following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposal.

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is 
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and 
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you 
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page 
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat 
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will 
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing 
CBI should be sent to Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO 
Branch, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA was informed by the manufacturer that a PGB development 
test was stopped due to high vibration that was found to have been 
caused by a fatigue crack that initiated in PGB shaft and carrier 
assembly. The fatigue crack initiated in a broach slot of the PGB 
shaft. The PGB shaft and carrier

[[Page 48483]]

assembly has not previously been a life limited part. After further 
stress and life analyses, the manufacturer identified the need to 
declare life limits for all PGB shaft and carrier assemblies. The 
manufacturer also determined the need to assign usage hours to PGB 
shaft and carrier assemblies that already have time in service. This AD 
requires assignment of usage hours to these PGB shaft and carrier 
assemblies and requires removal of these parts prior to exceeding the 
new life limits established by the manufacturer. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in loss of the propeller, damage to the engine, 
and damage to the airplane.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM because the agency has determined that 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
in other products of the same type design.

Service Information Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 2100A-A-72-
322/AE 2100P-A-72-047, Revision 1 (single document), dated May 11, 
2018, and RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-
111, Revision 1 (single document), dated May 28, 2018. RRC ASB AE 
2100A-A-72-322/AE 2100P-A-72-047 describes procedures for assigning 
usage hours to the PGB shaft and carrier assemblies on RRC AE 2100A and 
AE 2100P model engines. RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/
AE 2100J-A-72-111 describes procedures for verifying the PGB shaft and 
carrier assembly serial numbers and assigning usage hours to the PGB 
shaft and carrier assemblies on RRC AE 2100D2 and AE 2100D2A model 
engines. 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 Task 05-10-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100A Engine 
Maintenance Manual (MM) CSP31005, Revision 57, dated August 15, 2019, 
and Task 05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 2100A Engine MM CSP31005, Revision 
57, dated August 15, 2019. Task 05-10-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100A Engine 
MM provides information for determining the usage hours and engine 
cycles for each life-limited part on RRC AE 2100A model engines. Task 
05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 2100A Engine MM specifies the PGB shaft and 
carrier assembly life limits.
    The FAA reviewed Task 05-11-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100D2 and AE 
2100D2A Engine MM CSP34081, Revision 64, dated June 1, 2020, and Task 
05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 2100D2 and AE 2100D2A Engine MM CSP34081, 
Revision 64, dated June 1, 2020. Task 05-11-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100D2 
and AE 2100D2A Engine MM provides information for determining the usage 
hours and engine cycles for each life-limited part on RRC AE 2100D2 and 
AE 2100D2A model engines. Task 05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 2100D2 and AE 
2100D2A Engine MM specifies the PGB shaft and carrier assembly life 
limits.
    The FAA reviewed Task 05-10-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100P Engine MM 
CSP31015, Revision 15, dated May 15, 2018, and Task 05-12-11-800-802 of 
RRC AE 2100P Engine MM CSP31015, Revision 15, dated May 15, 2018. Task 
05-10-00-800-801 of RRC AE 2100P Engine MM provides information for 
determining the usage hours and engine cycles for each life-limited 
part on RRC AE 2100P model engines. Task 05-12-11-800-802 of RRC AE 
2100P Engine MM specifies the PGB shaft and carrier assembly life 
limits.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require assignment of usage hours to the PGB 
shaft and carrier assembly at the next engine shop visit and 
replacement of PGB shaft and carrier assemblies prior to exceeding the 
new life limits established by the manufacturer.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-111, 
Revision 1 (single document), includes RRC AE 2100J model turboprop 
engines with PGB shaft and carrier assemblies, with part numbers 
23088595 and 23089419 installed, in its applicability. This proposed AD 
does not. The FAA determined that the PGB shaft and carrier assemblies 
for these model engines have already been removed for rework and 
therefore this proposed AD does not apply to them.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, as proposed, would affect 18 
engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
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Assign usage hours to PGB shaft and     3 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $255          $4,590
 carrier assembly.                       hour = $255.
Remove and replace PGB shaft and        15 work-hours x $85 per           49,952          51,227         922,086
 carrier assembly.                       hour = $1,275.
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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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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.

[[Page 48484]]

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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 Corporation (Type Certificate previously held by Allison 
Engine Company): Docket No. FAA-2020-0687; Project Identifier AD-
2020-00571-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by September 25, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) (Type 
Certificate previously held by Allison Engine Company) AE 2100A, AE 
2100D2, AE 2100D2A, and AE 2100P model turboprop engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7210, Turbine Engine 
Reduction Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a propeller gearbox (PGB) 
development test in which high vibration occurred due to a fatigue 
crack that initiated in the propeller shaft. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent loss of the propeller. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in 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

    (1) No later than the next shop visit for the engine with the 
PGB, or the next shop visit for the PGB only, whichever shop visit 
occurs first after the effective date of this AD, assign usage hours 
to the installed PGB shaft and carrier assembly using RRC Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 2100A-A-72-322/AE 2100P-A-72-047, Revision 
1 (single document), dated May 11, 2018, or RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-
111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-111, Revision 1 (single 
document), dated May 28, 2018.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, before exceeding the 
life limit (usage hours) specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(2) 
(``Table 1'') of this AD, remove the PGB shaft and carrier assembly, 
identified by part numbers (P/Ns) in Table 1, from service and 
replace with a part eligible for installation.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11AU20.000

(h) No Reporting Requirement

    The reporting requirements in RRC ASB AE 2100A-A-72-322/AE 
2100P-A-72-047, Revision 1 (single document), dated May 11, 2018, 
and RRC ASB AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-111, 
Revision 1 (single document), dated May 28, 2018, are not required 
by this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for assigning the usage hours required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD if you performed the action before the 
effective date of this AD using RRC ASB AE 2100A-A-72-322/AE 2100P-
A-72-047, original issue (single document), dated January 15, 2018, 
or RR AE 2100D2-A-72-111/AE 2100D3-A-72-313/AE 2100J-A-72-111, 
original issue (single document), dated January 15, 2018.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO 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 (k)(1).
    (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 Kyri 
Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 East 
Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7836; fax: 847-
294-7834; email: [email protected].

[[Page 48485]]

    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-
06, Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: 317-230-1667; email: 
royce.com">CMSEindyOSD@rolls-royce.com; internet: www.rolls-royce.com. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

    Issued on August 5, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-17389 Filed 8-10-20; 8:45 am]
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