[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 88 (Monday, May 6, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37109-37111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09555]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0036; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00731-E; 
Amendment 39-22739; AD 2024-08-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-A, Trent 
1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-C2, 
Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-
E, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H, Trent 
1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. This 
AD was prompted by reports of wear in the combining spill valve (CSV) 
assembly of certain hydro-mechanical units (HMUs). This AD requires 
removing certain HMUs from service and replacing with a serviceable 
part. This AD also prohibits the installation of certain HMUs unless 
the HMU is a serviceable part or the CSV assembly has been replaced, 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 June 10, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 10, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0036; 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.

[[Page 37110]]

    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA service information, 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 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-2024-0036.

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-A, Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C, 
Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-
D2, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 
1000-H, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2024 
(89 FR 4582). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-0113, dated June 1, 
2023 (EASA AD 2023-0113) (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 occurrences have been reported of 
finding wear in the CSV assembly of certain HMUs. This wear can reduce 
the fuel flow output when the engine is operated at high power 
conditions and lead to thrust reduction. To address this unsafe 
condition, the manufacturer published service information that 
specifies procedures to remove certain HMUs from service and replace 
with a serviceable part. The MCAI also specifies an implementation 
schedule, based on engine flight-hour (EFH) limits, for replacement of 
each affected part with a serviceable part and prohibits installation 
or reinstallation of affected HMUs that have exceeded the allowable EFH 
limit unless the HMU is a serviceable part or the CSV assembly has been 
replaced.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing certain HMUs from 
service and replacing with a serviceable part. The NPRM also proposed 
to prohibit installation of certain HMUs unless the HMU is a 
serviceable part or the CSV assembly has been replaced. 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-2024-0036.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received one comment from Boeing which 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 2023-0113, which specifies procedures for 
removing certain part-numbered HMUs from service and replacing with a 
serviceable part. The MCAI also specifies prohibiting installation or 
reinstallation of an affected HMU on any engine unless the HMU is a 
serviceable part.
    This service information 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 28 engines installed on 
airplanes, of U.S. registry.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the HMU.....................  7 work-hours x $85 per         $552,000         $552,595      $15,472,660
                                       hour = $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 37111]]

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:

2024-08-06 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22739; 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0036; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00731-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 10, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 
1000-C, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D, 
Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G, Trent 
1000-G2, Trent 1000-H, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, 
and Trent 1000-L2 engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7300, Engine Fuel 
and Control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of wear in the combining spill 
valve (CSV) assembly of certain hydro-mechanical units (HMUs). The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent thrust reduction. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in 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 
2023-0113, dated June 1, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0113).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0113

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0113 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Table 1 of EASA AD 2023-0113 specifies ``15 June 
2023'', replace that text with ``As of the effective date of this 
AD.''
    (3) Where Table 1 of EASA AD 2023-0113 specifies ``01 January 
2025'', replace that text with ``Within 4 months after the effective 
date of this AD or January 1, 2025, whichever occurs later.''
    (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0013 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires those 
parts to be removed from service.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2023-0113.

(i) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD, the ``implementation date'' is 
defined as the date that the applicable engine flight hour limit 
takes effect.

(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].
    (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 2023-0113, 
dated June 1, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2023-0113, 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.
    (4) 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.
    (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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on April 17, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09555 Filed 5-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P