[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60841-60844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16517]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1899; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01169-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2023-24-06, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co 
KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000 engines. AD 2023-24-06 requires revising the 
airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of the operator's existing 
approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and limitations and 
associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. Since the 
FAA issued AD 2023-24-06, the manufacturer revised the time limits 
manual (TLM) to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and limitations 
and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts, which 
prompted this AD. This proposed AD would require revisions to the ALS 
of the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection 
program, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by September 12, 
2024.

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-2024-1899; 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 EASA material identified in this proposed 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 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: Ethan Carlson, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(206) 578-2291; 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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-1899; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01169-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

[[Page 60842]]

received, without change, to 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 Ethan 
Carlson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des 
Moines, WA 98198. 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 2023-24-06, Amendment 39-22623 (88 FR 89290, 
December 27, 2023) (AD 2023-24-06), for certain 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. AD 2023-24-06 
was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 
2023-0115, dated June 7, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0115), to correct an unsafe 
condition identified as the manufacturer revising the engine TLM life 
limits of certain critical rotating parts and direct accumulation 
counting data files.
    AD 2023-24-06 requires revisions to the ALS of the operator's 
existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program. The FAA 
issued AD 2023-24-06 to prevent the failure of critical rotating parts.

Actions Since AD 2023-24-06 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2023-24-06, EASA superseded EASA AD 2023-
0115 and issued EASA AD 2023-0195, dated November 9, 2023 (EASA AD 
2023-0195) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the 
manufacturer published a revised TLM introducing new or more 
restrictive tasks and limitations. These new or more restrictive tasks 
and limitations include introducing a new low-pressure compressor blade 
part number (P/N) in the list of other mandatory inspections in 
Revision 27, changing the special tool from UT2100/4 to UT2100/5 in 
Revision 28, and introducing an overhaul limit for P/N KH28129 and P/N 
KH28131 standards of intermediate pressure compressor stages 1 and 2 
rotor blades in Revision 29.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1899.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0195, which specifies instructions 
for accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable TLM, 
including performing maintenance tasks, replacing life-limited parts, 
and revising the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated 
thresholds and intervals described 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 
the ADDRESSES section.

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 this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2023-
24-06. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the MCAI described previously, 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 MCAI.''

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 2023-0195 
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require 
compliance with EASA AD 2023-0195 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 the EASA AD does not 
mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, 
where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions within the 
compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited 
to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in 
EASA AD 2023-0195. Service information required by the EASA AD for 
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2024-1899 after the FAA final rule is published.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    Where EASA AD 2023-0195 specifies revising the approved aircraft 
maintenance programme (AMP) within 12 months after the effective date 
of EASA AD 2023-0195, this proposed AD requires revising the ALS of the 
existing approved aircraft maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 2 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

[[Page 60843]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
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Revise the ALS......................  1 work-hours x $85 per               $0              $85             $170
                                       hour = $85.
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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

    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 that the 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 2023-24-06, Amendment 39-22623 (88 
FR 89290, December 27, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2024-1899; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01169-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by September 12, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2023-24-06, Amendment 39-22623 (88 FR 89290, 
December 27, 2023).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to 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.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
(Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine 
time limits manual (TLM) required maintenance and inspections. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the failure of rotating parts. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one 
or more engines, loss of thrust control, 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 (EASA) AD 
2023-0195, dated November 9, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0195).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0195

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0195 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (1), (2), 
and (4) of EASA AD 2023-0195.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0195 specifies ``Within 
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved 
AMP,'' replace that text with ``Within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) 
of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable.''
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD 
2023-0195.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    No alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed for compliance with paragraph (g) 
of this AD unless they are approved as specified in the provisions 
of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2023-0195.

(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, 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 Ethan Carlson, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (206) 578-2291; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0195, 
dated November 9, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[[Page 60844]]

    (3) For EASA material 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 material 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 July 23, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-16517 Filed 7-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P