[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 185 (Monday, September 26, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58289-58291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20748]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 185 / Monday, September 26, 2022 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 58289]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1234; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00289-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).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2013-05-13, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co 
KG (RRD) BR700-710 series turbofan engines. AD 2013-05-13 requires 
replacing the affected fuel pump splined couplings. Since the FAA 
issued AD 2013-05-13, the manufacturer has revised the time limits 
manual (TLM), introducing new and more restrictive instructions, 
including the replacement of the fuel pump splined coupling. This 
proposed AD would expand the applicability by adding a model turbofan 
engine to the applicability and would also require revisions to the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the operator's existing 
approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP), 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 NPRM by November 10, 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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1234; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For material identified in this NPRM, 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7241; 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-2022-1234; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2022-00289-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 
the 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 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact we receive 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 
Sungmo Cho, 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 FAA issued AD 2013-05-13, Amendment 39-17385 (78 FR 17080, 
March 20, 2013), (AD 2013-05-13), for certain RRD BR700-710 series 
turbofan engines. AD 2013-05-13 was prompted by service experience that 
demonstrated premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel pump. 
AD 2013-05-13 requires replacing the fuel pump splined coupling and 
prohibits the installation of a fuel pump with an affected splined 
coupling that has accumulated 4,000 hours time-in-service. The FAA 
issued AD 2013-05-13 to prevent failure of the engine and loss of the 
airplane.

Actions Since AD 2013-05-13 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2013-05-13, EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD 2012-
0161R1,

[[Page 58290]]

dated September 19, 2014 (EASA AD 2012-0161R1), which revises EASA AD 
2012-0161, dated August 24, 2012. EASA subsequently issued EASA AD 
2022-0033, dated March 03, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0033), which supersedes 
EASA AD 2012-161R1. EASA AD 2022-0033 provides that since the 
certification of the BR700-710 engines, several changes have been made 
to the TLM by the manufacturer, introducing new and more restrictive 
instructions, including the replacement of the fuel pump splined 
coupling. EASA AD 2022-0033 expands the applicability to include BR700-
710D5-21 model turbofan engines and specifies accomplishing the actions 
in the TLM.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1234.

Related Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0033, which describes actions for 
operators to revise the ALS of their existing approved AMP in 
accordance with the manufacturer's revised TLM, as applicable to each 
engine model. EASA AD 2022-0033 also describes actions for performing 
inspections, replacing life limited parts, and performing corrective 
actions for any finding of discrepancy as referenced in the TLM.
    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 also reviewed RRD Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
BR700-72-A900509, Revision 5, dated March 07, 2022. This service 
information revises previous versions of this NMSB because the 
specified procedures have been incorporated into the applicable TLM.
    The FAA also reviewed Rolls-Royce TLM T-710-1BR, Revision 70, for 
engine model BR700-710A1-10; TLM T-710-2BR, Revision 67, for engine 
model BR700-710A2-20; TLM T-710-4BR, Revision 40, for engine model 
BR700-710C4-11 (each dated October 13, 2021); and TLM T-710-8BR, 
Revision 18, for engine model BR700-710D5-21 (undated). This service 
information specifies thresholds for certain standard equipment; 
critical, sensitive, and unclassified parts; and life limited parts. 
This service information also specifies the replacement threshold for 
the fuel pump vespel coupling (fuel pump splined coupling).

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country, and are 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 of the unsafe condition described 
in the EASA AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in 
other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2013-
05-13. This proposed AD would expand the applicability to include 
BR700-710D5-21 model turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2022-0033, described 
previously, as incorporated by reference, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the EASA AD.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    Where EASA AD 2022-0033 defines the AMP as the approved Aircraft 
Maintenance Programme on the basis of which the operator or the owner 
ensures the continuing airworthiness of each operated engine, this 
proposed AD defines the AMP as the Aircraft Maintenance Program on the 
basis of which the operator or the owner ensures the continuing 
airworthiness of each operated airplane.
    This proposed AD would not require compliance with paragraphs 
(1.2), (2), (4), or (5) of EASA AD 2022-0033.
    EASA AD 2022-0033 requires revising the approved AMP within 12 
months after its effective date, whereas this proposed AD would require 
incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits and maintenance tasks, into the existing approved 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 30 days of the 
initial replacement of the fuel pump splined coupling or within 90 days 
after the effective date of this proposed AD, whichever comes later.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 2,050 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. Registry. The FAA 
estimates that 1,350 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. Registry 
have already performed the initial replacement of the fuel pump splined 
coupling.
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Replacement of the fuel pump    6 work-hours x $85.00             $2,273          $2,783      $1,948,100
 splined coupling.                       per hour = $510.
Revise the ALS and the operator's       2 work-hours x $85.00                  0             170         348,500
 existing approved AMP.                  per hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 58291]]

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 2013-05-13, Amendment 39-17385 (78 
FR 17080, March 20, 2013); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate previously 
held by Rolls-Royce plc): Docket No. FAA-2022-1234; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2022-00289-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by November 10, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-05-13, Amendment 39-17385 (78 FR 17080, 
March 20, 2013) (AD 2013-05-13).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG BR700-
710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20, BR700-710C4-11, and BR700-710D5-21 model 
turbofan engines as identified in European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0033, dated March 03, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-
0033).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 8300, Accessory 
Gearboxes.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by service experience that demonstrated 
premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel pump and 
subsequent manufacturer revision of the time limits manual (TLM) to 
incorporate revised life limits and updated mandatory inspection 
intervals, including replacement of the fuel pump splined coupling. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the 
engine and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Action

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: 
Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified 
in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0033.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0033

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0033 defines the AMP as the approved 
Aircraft Maintenance Programme on the basis of which the operator or 
the owner ensures the continuing airworthiness of each operated 
engine, this AD defines the AMP as the Aircraft Maintenance Program 
on the basis of which the operator or the owner ensures the 
continuing airworthiness of each operated airplane.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0033 refers to the effective date of EASA 
AD 2022-0033, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (1.2) of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.
    (4) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (2) of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.
    (5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0033 specifies revising 
the approved AMP within 12 months after its effective date, this AD 
requires incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and 
intervals, including life limits and maintenance tasks, into the 
existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
within 30 days of the initial replacement of the fuel pump splined 
coupling or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever comes later.
    (6) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (4) of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.
    (7) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (5) of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.
    (8) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2022-0033 is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions, Thresholds, and Intervals, 
Including Life Limits

    After performing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as 
specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2022-0033.

(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 (k)(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.

(k) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to EASA AD 2022-0033, for related information. This 
EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1234.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7241; email: 
[email protected].
    (3) For service information 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: rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0033, dated 
March 03, 2022.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0033, 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 ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 21, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-20748 Filed 9-23-22; 8:45 am]
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