[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 251-253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28861]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1892; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00626-E; 
Amendment 39-22647; AD 2023-26-04]
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-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, and Trent 1000-R3 engines. This AD is prompted by a 
determination that certain intervals for visual inspection of the 
intermediate-pressure stage 8 (IP8) and high-pressure stage 3 (HP3) air 
transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes need to be 
reduced. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of 
the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air 
feed tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and replacement, 
if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 7, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 7, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No.FAA-2023-1892; 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-2023-1892.

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-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, and Trent 1000-R3 engines. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2023 (88 FR 67121). 
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-0087, dated April 26, 2023 (EASA 
AD 2023-

[[Page 252]]

0087) (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 the RRD engine time limits manual (TLM) provides 
instructions for visual inspection of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer 
tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes for cracking, 
damage, or air leakage wear at intervals consistent with critical part 
life assessments. Also, certain inspection intervals mandated by the 
MCAI, and not previously included in the TLM, are shorter than the 
engine shop visit intervals. Thus, more frequent visual inspections of 
the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air 
feed tubes are necessary. The manufacturer issued service information 
that provides instructions for visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 
air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require initial and repetitive 
visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front 
bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage 
wear, and replacement, if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1892.

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 2023-0087, which specifies procedures for 
performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 
air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes for 
cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and replacement if necessary.
    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 16 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
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Inspection of air tubes...........  3 work-hours x $85 per                 $0             $255           $4,080
                                     hour = $255.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace IP8 air transfer tubes.............  2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.          $7,600          $7,700
Replace HP3 air transfer tubes.............  2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.          11,900          12,070
Replace front bearing housing IP8 air feed   2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.          10,000          10,170
 tubes.
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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.

[[Page 253]]

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:

2023-26-04 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22647; 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1892; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00626-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 7, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
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, and Trent 1000-R3 
engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7500, Engine Bleed 
Air System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that certain intervals 
for visual inspection of the intermediate-pressure stage 8 (IP8) air 
transfer tubes, high-pressure stage 3 (HP3) air transfer tubes, and 
front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes need to be reduced. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the IP8 and HP3 air 
transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the engine internal 
cooling and sealing flows, resulting in failure of the IP8 air 
transfer tubes, HP3 air transfer tubes, and front bearing housing 
IP8 air feed tubes, with consequent damage to the engine 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2023-0087, dated April 26, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0087).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0087

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0087 refers to 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 
2023-0087.

(i) 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 (j) 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.

(j) 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].

(k) 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 2023-0087, 
dated April 26, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, 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 December 21, 2023.
Caitlin Locke,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28861 Filed 1-2-24; 8:45 am]
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