[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11355-11358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04276]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0150; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00839-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) Trent 7000-72 and 
Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by 
in-service experience showing that certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) 
blades may prematurely deteriorate to an unacceptable condition when 
managed in accordance with the inspection intervals in the Time Limits 
Manual (TLM). This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive on-
wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of the HPT blades to detect axial 
cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement 
of the HPT blade set, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference 
(IBR). This proposed AD would also require replacement of the HPT blade 
set before exceeding a specified number of flight cycles. 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 April 15, 
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]. You may find this material on the EASA 
website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Rolls-Royce service 
information identified in this NPRM, 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. It is 
also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0150. For the material identified in this 
AD that is not incorporated by reference, 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0150; 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-2022-0150; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00839-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.

[[Page 11356]]

    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

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0169, dated July 19, 2021 (EASA 
AD 2021-0169), to address an unsafe condition for all RRD Trent 7000-72 
and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines.
    This proposed AD was prompted by in-service experience showing that 
certain HPT blades may prematurely deteriorate to an unacceptable 
condition when managed in accordance with the inspection intervals in 
the TLM. The manufacturer has issued Rolls-Royce (RR) Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK449, Revision 2, 
dated July 5, 2021 (the Alert NMSB) specifying procedures for 
performing initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the HPT blades to 
detect axial cracking. The Alert NMSB also specifies procedures for 
removing the engine from service to replace the HPT blade set before 
exceeding a specified number of flight cycles. The compliance time for 
the initial and repetitive BSIs of the HPT blades proposed by this AD 
meet the TLM inspection intervals for HPT blade, part number KH64485. 
The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT blades. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-
flight shutdown, and loss of the airplane. See EASA AD 2021-0169 for 
additional background information.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, 
the FAA has been notified about the unsafe condition described in the 
EASA AD. The FAA is issuing this NPRM 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 EASA AD 2021-0169. EASA AD 2021-0169 specifies 
instructions for performing initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the 
HPT blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of 
the inspections, removal from service of the engine for in-shop 
replacement of the HPT blade set. EASA AD 2021-0169 also specifies 
instructions for replacing HPT blades with a new HPT blade set before 
exceeding a specified number of flight cycles.
    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 RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK449, Revision 2, 
dated July 5, 2021. This Alert NMSB specifies procedures for performing 
initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the HPT blades to detect axial 
cracking. The Alert NMSB also specifies procedures for removing the 
engine to replace the HPT blade set before exceeding a specified number 
of flight cycles.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2021-0169, 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 developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since 
coordinated with other manufacturers and CAAs to use this process. As a 
result, the FAA proposes to incorporate by reference EASA AD 2021-0169 
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require 
compliance with EASA AD 2021-0169 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 2021-0169 
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 2021-0169. Service information specified by EASA AD 2021-0169 
for compliance will be available at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0150 after the FAA final 
rule is published.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    Where EASA AD 2021-0169 requires compliance from its effective 
date, this proposed AD would require using the effective date of this 
AD. This proposed AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2021-0169.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action. 
If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider additional 
rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 16 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. Registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

[[Page 11357]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BSI HPT Blades........................  4 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $340          $5,440
                                         hour = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HPT Blade Set.........................  16 work-hours x $85 per hour =        $2,001,780      $2,003,140
                                                 $1,360.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected operators.

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 plc): Docket No. FAA-2022-0150; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2021-00839-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by April 15, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (Type 
Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) Trent 7000-72 and 
Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by in-service experience showing that 
certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades may prematurely 
deteriorate to an unacceptable condition when managed in accordance 
with the inspection intervals defined in the Time Limits Manual. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT blades. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the 
engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2021-0169, 
dated July 19, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0169).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0169

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0169 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this proposed AD would require using the effective 
date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not require compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2021-0169.

(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 and email 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.

[[Page 11358]]

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about EASA AD 2021-0169, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]. 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-2022-0150.
    (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 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 February 24, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-04276 Filed 2-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P