[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 62 (Friday, April 2, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17326-17329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06800]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0257; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00712-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce Deutschland GmbH, 
Formerly BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH) Turbofan 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 certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (type certificate 
previously held by Rolls-Royce Deutschland GmbH, formerly BMW Rolls-
Royce GmbH) (RRD) BR700-710A2-20 model turbofan engines. This proposed 
AD was prompted by flight data obtained from airplanes equipped with 
certain Rockwell Collins avionics and auto-throttle systems that 
demonstrated significant oscillation of the engine rotor revolution 
speed during flight. This proposed AD would require initial and 
repetitive recalculation of the consumed and remaining service life of 
certain life-limited parts (LLPs). This proposed AD would also require 
removal of an LLP prior to its approved life limit or within 90 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. 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 May 17, 
2021.

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.

[[Page 17327]]

     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 Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 7086-4040; website: 
https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx. 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0257; 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 (MCAI), any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7134; 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0257; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-00712-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 proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) 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 FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact received about this NPRM.

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 final rule 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 final rule, 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 final rule. Submissions containing CBI 
should be sent to Wego Wang, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has 
issued EASA AD 2018-0268, dated December 11, 2018 and corrected on 
February 20, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address 
the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states:

    Flight data obtained from aeroplanes equipped with certain 
Rockwell Collins avionics and auto-throttle system demonstrated 
significant oscillation of the engine rotor revolution speed during 
cruise. Analysis indicates that this affects the service life of the 
affected LLP.
    This condition, if not corrected, may lead to failure of an 
affected LLP, possibly resulting in release of high-energy debris, 
with consequent damage to, and/or reduced control of, the aeroplane.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, RRD issued the 
NMSB, providing instructions to recalculate the consumed and 
remaining service life of the affected LLP.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive recalculation of the service life (consumed and 
remaining) of each affected LLP and, depending on the results, 
replacement of each affected LLP before exceeding the life limit, 
taking the re-calculated life consumption into account.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0257.

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 proposing this AD because the agency 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed RRD Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
SB-BR700-72-A900584, Revision 2, dated November 22, 2017 (the NMSB). 
The NMSB describes procedures for amending flight cycle counting 
requirements for affected LLPs on RRD BR700-710A2-20 model turbofan 
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 ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin (SB) 700-34-5021, 
Revision 03, dated January 5, 2018, and Bombardier SB 700-34-6021, 
Revision 03, dated January 5, 2018. These SBs describe procedures for 
the implementation of the Global Vision Flight Deck Version 5 (V5) 
software load on Bombardier Inc. Model BD-700-1A11 and BD-700-1A10 
airplanes, respectively.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require repetitive recalculation of the 
consumed and remaining service life of certain LLPs and replacement of 
any LLP that has exceeded its approved life limit.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    EASA AD 2018-0268 includes in its applicability engines installed 
and operated on a pre-mod airplane during a period of 24 months prior 
to the current installation. Instead of a period of 24 months, this AD 
proposes to apply to engines installed and operated on a pre-mod 
airplane at any time after January 1, 2017 to adjust for the additional 
time since publication of the EASA AD.
    In addition, EASA AD 2018-0268 requires an initial recalculation of

[[Page 17328]]

consumed and remaining service life of the low-pressure compressor 
(LPC) disk at each engine removal for maintenance within 250 flight 
cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first after its effective date. 
EASA AD 2018-0268 also requires recalculation of the consumed and 
remaining life of the other affected LLPs after this period. This 
proposed AD does not include the initial recalculation of the consumed 
and remaining life of the LPC disk, but requires recalculation of 
consumed and remaining service life of the disk and all other affected 
LLPs within 90 days after the effective date of this proposed AD. The 
FAA determined that the initial recalculation of the consumed and 
remaining service life of the LPC disk, separately from the other LLPs, 
is not needed to resolve the unsafe condition because the 12-month 
initial inspection period in EASA AD 2018-0268 has passed.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 284 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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Recalculate service life for          20 work-hours x $85 per              $0           $1,700         $482,800
 affected LLPs.                        hour = $85.
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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.
    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:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously 
held by Rolls-Royce Deutschland GmbH, Formerly BMW Rolls-Royce 
GmbH): Docket No. FAA-2021-0257; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00712-
E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 17, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type 
Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce Deutschland GmbH, 
formerly BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH) (RRD) BR700-710A2-20 model turbofan 
engines:
    (1) Installed and operated on a Bombardier Model BD-700-1A10 and 
BD-700-1A11 airplane, with serial number 9381, 9386, 9401, or 9432 
to 9786, inclusive, that have not incorporated Bombardier Service 
Bulletin (SB) 700-34-5021, Revision 3, dated January 5, 2018 or 
Bombardier SB 700-34-6021, Revision 3, dated January 5, 2018, as 
applicable, referred to after this as a ``pre-mod airplane,'' or
    (2) Installed and operated on a pre-mod airplane at any time 
after January 1, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by flight data obtained from airplanes 
equipped with certain Rockwell Collins avionics and auto-throttle 
systems which demonstrated significant oscillation of the engine 
rotor revolution speed during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of an affected life-limited part (LLP). The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of 
high-energy debris, 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) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
recalculate the consumed and remaining service life of each affected 
LLP using Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.D., of RRD Alert 
Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) SB-BR700-72-A900584, 
Revision 2, dated November 22, 2017 (the NMSB).
    (2) For engines installed and operated on a pre-mod airplane, 
after performing the initial recalculations required by paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD, for each flight, calculate the consumed and 
remaining service life of each affected LLP using paragraph 3.D. of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the NMSB.
    (3) Remove each affected LLP prior to exceeding its approved 
life limit or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the recalculation of the consumed and 
remaining service life of each LLP required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD if the action was performed before

[[Page 17329]]

the effective date of this AD using RRD Alert NMSB SB-BR700-72-
A900584, Revision 1, dated October 5, 2017, or original issue, dated 
January 31, 2017.

(i) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, an affected LLP is: an LPC disk, LPC 
fan blade, fan shaft, low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 1 disk, LPT 
stage 2 disk, LPT rotor shaft and annulus filler, high-pressure 
compressor (HPC) stage 1-6 rotor disk, HPC stage 7-10 rotor disk, 
curvic ring, high pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 disk, and an HPT 
stage 2 disk.

(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 Related Information. 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 Wego Wang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7134; fax: (781) 238-7199; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2018-0268, dated December 11, 2018, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2021-0257.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 7086-4040; website: 
https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx. 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 March 29, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06800 Filed 4-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P