[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 222 (Monday, November 20, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80575-80577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25521]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1637; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00184-E;
Amendment 39-22588; AD 2023-22-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-A2, Trent
1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2,
Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent
1000-L2 engines. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking and
separation of certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 1 blade
assemblies. This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of
affected LPT stage 1 blade assemblies for cracking or separation and,
depending on the results of the inspections, reduction of the
inspection interval or replacement of the LPT stage 1 blade set and
disk, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 26, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 26,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1637; 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For service information identified in this final rule,
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone:
+49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu.
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
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 (817) 222-5110. It is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1637.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-
7241; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD Model Trent
1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2,
Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-
K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on July 31, 2023 (88 FR 49361). The NPRM was prompted by EASA
AD 2023-0027, dated January 31, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0027) (also referred
to as the MCAI) issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the
Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that manufacturer
inspections detected cracking and separation of blade pairs in the weld
region of certain LPT stage 1 blade assemblies. A blade assembly
consists of a pair of blades welded together at the outer shroud. There
are 85 LPT stage 1 blade assemblies in one set. Such cracking and
separation could cause failure of affected parts and damage to the LPT
module.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1637.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require initial and repetitive
inspections of affected LPT stage 1 blade assemblies for cracking or
separation and, depending on the results of the inspections, reduction
of the inspection interval or replacement of the LPT stage 1 blade set
and disk. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received one comment from The Boeing Company (Boeing).
Boeing supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
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 this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comment received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting the AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0027, which specifies procedures for
inspection of affected LPT stage 1 blade assemblies and replacement of
the LPT stage 1 blade set and disk. EASA AD 2023-0027 also specifies a
reduction of the repetitive inspection intervals if cracking or
separation is detected and meets certain criteria.
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 26 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 80576]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection LPT stage 1 blade 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 $8,840
assemblies. hour = $340.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that are required based on the results of the inspection.
The agency has no way of determining the number of engines that might
need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace LPT stage 1 blade set and disk....... 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $720,000 $720,340
$340.
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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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:
2023-22-04 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22588;
Docket No. FAA-2023-1637; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00184-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 26,
2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD)
Model Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2,
Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent
1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking and separation of
certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 1 blade assemblies. The FAA
is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT stage 1 blades. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in high energy
debris release, damage to the airplane, 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD:
Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified
in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD
2023-0027, dated January 31, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0027).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0027
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0027 specifies compliance from its
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD
2023-0027.
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0027 specifies discarding the removed LP turbine stage 1 blade set,
this AD requires removing the affected part from service.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0027 specifies to quarantine the removed LP turbine stage 1 rotor
disc, this AD requires removing the affected part from service.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0027
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: [email protected].
[[Page 80577]]
(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
For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: (781) 238-7241; email: [email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information 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 (EASA) AD 2023-0027,
dated January 31, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2023-0027, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
[email protected]; website:easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA
AD 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 material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on October 27, 2023.
Caitlin Locke,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-25521 Filed 11-17-23; 8:45 am]
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