[Federal Register: August 18, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 159)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49344-49345]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18au03-9]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NE-08-AD; Amendment 39-13271; AD 2003-16-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 800 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 875-17, Trent 877-17, Trent
884-17, Trent 892-17, Trent 892B-17, and Trent 895-17 turbofan engines
with intermediate pressure (IP) turbine discs, part numbers (P/Ns)
FK21117 and FK33083 installed. This AD requires removal from service of
these IP turbine discs based on newly established reduced turbine disc
life limits. This AD is prompted by reports of two IP turbine blade
release incidents as a result of dust caps separating from the blades
and subsequent improved modeling analysis. We are issuing this AD to
prevent uncontained IP turbine disc failure and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 22, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD
from Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31 Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom;
telephone 011-44-1332-242424; fax 011-44-1332-249936.
You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the FAA,
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299, telephone (781)
238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies
to RR RB211 Trent 875-17, Trent 877-17, Trent 884-17, Trent 892-17,
Trent 892B-17, and Trent 895-17 turbofan engines with IP turbine discs,
P/Ns FK21117 and FK33083 installed. We published the proposed AD in the
Federal Register on May 7, 2003 (68 FR 24383). That action proposed to
require removal from service of these IP turbine discs based on newly
established reduced turbine disc life limits. Information on the
reduced life limits may be found in Rolls-Royce Mandatory Service
Bulletin (MSB) RB.211-72-E058, dated January 14, 2003.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Request To Include a Reference to RR Service Information
One commenter requests that a reference to RR MSB RB.211-72-E058,
dated January 14, 2003, be included in the final rule. The commenter
believes
[[Page 49345]]
that the reference to the MSB is necessary for traceability to the AD.
The FAA agrees. The MSB reference is included in the Supplementary
Information paragraph and in Compliance paragraph (f)(1) of the AD.
Request To Withdraw Unnecessary AD
One commenter states that the new life limits specified in the AD
are being included in the Trent 800 Time Limits Manual (Chapter 5);
therefore, the AD is unnecessary to mandate the new reduced life
limits.
The FAA does not agree. Although the new life limits are being
included in the Trent 800 Time Limits Manual, the reduced life limits
are not enforceable unless mandated by an AD. Accordingly, the FAA will
not change the AD based on this comment.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. That
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products,
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. The
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since the
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in
future AD actions.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-08-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration 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 (AD):
2003-16-18 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-13271. Docket No. 2003-NE-
08-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective September 22, 2003.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 875-17,
Trent 877-17, Trent 884-17, Trent 892-17, Trent 892B-17, and Trent
895-17 turbofan engines with intermediate pressure (IP) turbine
discs part numbers (P/Ns) FK21117 and FK33083 installed. These
engines are installed on, but not limited to Boeing 777 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is prompted by reports of two IP turbine blade
release incidents as a result of dust caps separating from the
blades. Subsequently, the manufacturer applied improved modeling
techniques for analysis, which revealed higher than predicted
operating temperatures at the IP turbine disc rim and surrounding
area due to inflow of annulus exhaust gases. The actions specified
in this AD are intended to prevent uncontained IP turbine disc
failure and damage to the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance cycles specified unless the
actions have already been done.
(f) To prevent uncontained IP turbine disc failure and damage to
the airplane, do the following:
(1) Remove IP turbine disc P/N FK21117 from service at or before
accumulating 8,600 cycles-since-new (CSN), and remove IP turbine
disc P/N FK33083 from service at or before accumulating 3,000 CSN.
Information on the reduced life limits may be found in Rolls-Royce
Mandatory Service Bulletin RB.211-72-E058, dated January 14, 2003.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any IP
turbine disc P/N FK21117, that exceeds 8,600 CSN, or any IP turbine
disc P/N FK33083, that exceeds 3,000 CSN.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) Alternative methods of compliance must be requested in
accordance with 14 CFR part 39.19, and must be approved by the
Manager, Engine Certification Office, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, FAA.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) None.
Related Information
(i) The subject of this AD is addressed in CAA airworthiness
directive 002-01-2003, dated January 14, 2003.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 7, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-20831 Filed 8-15-03; 8:45 am]
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