[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 28, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73690-73694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27980]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1164; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00975-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 
2020-20-07 which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
(RRD) Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, 
Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-
M3, Trent

[[Page 73691]]

1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, Trent 1000-R3, Trent 7000-72, 
and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines. AD 2020-20-07 requires 
initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) or visual 
inspections of the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) shaft 
assembly and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement 
of the IPC shaft assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-20-07, RRD 
provided optional terminating actions for the required repetitive 
inspections and alternative inspection instructions. This proposed AD 
would continue to require initial and repetitive BSIs but would allow 
modification of the engine in accordance with Rolls-Royce service 
information as a terminating action to these inspections, as specified 
in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed 
for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 February 
11, 2022.

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 material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.easa.europa.eu. 
You may find this IBR material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material 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 (817) 222-5110. The EASA 
material is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1164.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1164; 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 EASA AD, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Paine, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7116; 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-2021-1164; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00975-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 agency 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 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 
Nicholas Paine, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that the FAA 
receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in 
the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2020-20-07, Amendment 39-21263 (85 FR 62975, 
October 6, 2020) (AD 2020-20-07), for all RRD Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 
1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, 
Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-
P3, Trent 1000-Q3, Trent 1000-R3, Trent 7000-72, and Trent 7000-72C 
model turbofan engines. AD 2020-20-07 was prompted by a report of crack 
findings in the front air seal on the IPC shaft assembly during the 
stripping of a flight test engine. AD 2020-20-07 requires initial and 
repetitive BSIs or visual inspections of the IPC shaft assembly and, 
depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the IPC 
shaft assembly with a part eligible for installation. The agency issued 
AD 2020-20-07 to prevent failure of the IPC shaft assembly, which could 
result in loss of thrust control and reduced control of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2020-20-07 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2020-20-07, EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2019-0282R1, dated August 25, 2021 (EASA AD 2019-0282R1), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all RRD Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 
1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, 
Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-
Q3, Trent 1000-R3, Trent 7000-72, and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan 
engines.
    RRD also published Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Service Bulletin (SB) 72-
K570, Initial Issue, dated June 15, 2021 (Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 SB 72-
K570); and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 SB 72-K571, Initial Issue, dated June 
15, 2021 (Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 SB 72-K571). This service information 
introduces optional terminating actions for the repetitive inspections 
and an alternative method for the repetitive BSIs of the IPC shaft 
assembly.
    See EASA AD 2019-0282R1 for additional background information.

Explanation of Retained Requirements

    Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the 
requirements of AD 2020-20-07, this proposed AD would retain all the 
requirements of AD 2020-20-07. Those requirements are

[[Page 73692]]

referenced in EASA AD 2019-0282R1, which, in turn, is referenced in 
paragraph (g) of this proposed AD.

FAA's Determination

    These engines have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Community, the FAA has been notified about 
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. The FAA is issuing this 
NPRM after evaluating all known relevant information and determining 
that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other engines of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2019-0282R1. EASA AD 2019-0282R1 describes 
actions for initial and repetitive BSIs of the IPC shaft assembly. This 
material 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 Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Alert Non-Modification 
Service Bulletin (NMSB) 72-AK451, Revision 1, dated July 15, 2021 
(Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Alert NMSB 72-AK451); Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 SB 
72-K570; and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 SB 72-K571.
    Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Alert NMSB 72-AK451 describes procedures for 
initial and repetitive BSIs of the IPC shaft assembly. Rolls-Royce 
Trent 1000 SB 72-K570 and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 SB 72-K571, 
differentiated by engine model, describe procedures for the 
modification of the engine as a terminating action to the initial and 
repetitive BSIs of the IPC shaft assembly.

Proposed AD Requirements in this NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain all the requirements of AD 2020-20-
07. This proposed AD would require compliance with the required actions 
from November 10, 2020, the effective date of AD 2020-20-07. This 
proposed AD would also allow modification of the engine in accordance 
with Rolls-Royce service information as a terminating action to the 
initial and repetitive BSIs of the IPC shaft assembly. This proposed AD 
would also require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2019-
0282R1, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for 
any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 
proposed AD and except as discussed under ``Differences Between this 
Proposed AD and the EASA AD.''

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a 
process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information 
for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has 
since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation 
authorities (CAAs) to use this process. As a result, the FAA proposes 
to incorporate EASA AD 2019-0282R1 in the FAA final rule. This proposed 
AD would require compliance with EASA AD 2019-0282R1 in its entirety 
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common 
terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA 
AD 2019-0282R1 does not mean that operators need comply only with that 
section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required 
actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is 
not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance 
Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2019-0282R1. Service information specified by EASA 
AD 2019-0282R1 that is required for compliance with it will be 
available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-1164 after the FAA final rule is published.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    Where EASA AD 2019-0282R1 requires compliance from the effective 
date of EASA AD 2019-0282, this proposed AD requires compliance from 
the effective date of FAA AD 2020-20-07. Where EASA AD 2019-0282R1 
requires contacting Rolls-Royce for approved corrective actions if a 
crack is detected during any on-wing inspection and in-shop inspection, 
this proposed AD requires removing the part and installing a 
serviceable part.
    Where EASA AD 2019-0282R1 defines a serviceable part as an IPC 
shaft assembly which is not an affected part; or an affected part which 
is new (never previously installed on an engine); or an affected part 
that, before (re)installation, has passed (no crack detected) an 
inspection in accordance with the instructions of the NMSB, this 
proposed AD includes in that definition an IPC shaft assembly that, 
before (re)installation, has passed a visual inspection (no crack 
detected) of the exposed part using FAA-approved maintenance 
procedures.
    Where EASA AD 2019-0282R1 references on-wing inspections, a visual 
inspection of the IPC shaft assembly using FAA-approved maintenance 
procedures may be substituted for any on-wing borescope inspection if 
the affected part is exposed, and provided that the compliance times 
specified in this proposed AD are not exceeded.
    This proposed AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2019-0282R1.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 22 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSI or visual inspection of IPC     3.5 work-hours x $85 per               $0          $297.50           $6,545
 shaft assembly.                     hour = $297.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 73693]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace IPC shaft assembly................  1,080 work-hours x $85 per hour =       $1,365,219       $1,457,019
                                             $91,800.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-20-07, Amendment 39-21263 
(85 FR 62975, October 6, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate previously 
held by Rolls-Royce plc): Docket No. FAA-2021-1164; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2021-00975-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by February 11, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2020-20-07, Amendment 39-21263 (85 FR 62975, 
October 6, 2020) (AD 2020-20-07).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 
1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, 
Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, Trent 1000-R3, Trent 
7000-72, and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines installed as 
identified in EASA AD 2019-0282R1, Revision 1, dated August 25, 2021 
(EASA AD 2019-0282R1).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of crack findings in the front 
air seal on the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) shaft 
assembly during the stripping of a flight test engine. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the IPC shaft assembly. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of thrust 
control and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2019-0282R1.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0282R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0282R1 requires compliance from November 
27, 2019, the effective date of EASA AD 2019-0282, this AD requires 
compliance from November 10, 2020, the effective date of FAA AD 
2020-20-07.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2019-0282R1 requires contacting Rolls-Royce 
for approved corrective actions if a crack is detected during any 
on-wing inspection and in-shop inspection, this AD requires removing 
the IPC shaft assembly and replacing it with a part eligible for 
installation before further flight.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2019-0282R1 defines a serviceable part as an 
IPC shaft assembly which is not an affected part; or an affected 
part which is new (never previously installed on an engine); or an 
affected part that, before (re)installation, has passed (no crack 
detected) an inspection in accordance with the instructions of the 
NMSB, this AD also includes in that definition an IPC shaft assembly 
that, before (re)installation, has passed a visual inspection (no 
crack detected) of the exposed part using FAA-approved maintenance 
procedures.
    (4) Where EASA AD 2019-0282R1 references on-wing inspections, 
this AD allows for a visual inspection of the IPC shaft assembly 
using FAA-approved maintenance procedures as a substitute for any 
on-wing borescope inspection if the affected part is exposed, 
provided that the compliance times specified in this AD are not 
exceeded.
    (5) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2019-0282R1.

(i) 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 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about EASA AD 2019-0282R1, contact 
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 
8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: https://

[[Page 73694]]

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material 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 (817) 222-5110. This 
material may be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-1164.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Nicholas Paine, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7116; email: 
[email protected].
    (3) For RRD service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 
8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: +44 (0)1332 242424 fax: +44 (0)1332 
249936; website: https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx. You 
may view this material 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 (817) 222-5110.

    Issued on December 20, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27980 Filed 12-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P