[Federal Register: February 18, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 33)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 8303-8305]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18fe05-18]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 8303]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 875, 877,
884, 884B, 892, 892B, and 895 Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 892,
892B, and 895 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires
repetitive application of dry film lubricant (DFL) to low pressure
compressor (LPC) fan blade roots. This proposed AD would require the
same actions but at more frequent intervals than the existing AD, add
the Trent 884B engine to the list of engine models affected, add a fan
blade part number (P/N) to the affected list of fan blades, and would
relax the initial DFL repetitive application compliance time for
certain fan blades that have never been removed from the disk. This
proposed AD results from discovering DFL in worse condition than
anticipated on fan blades fitted to disks previously run for a
significant period. This proposed AD also results from the need to
update the list of engine models affected, and to update the list of
fan blade part numbers affected. We are proposing this AD to prevent
LPC fan blade loss, which could result in an uncontained engine failure
and possible aircraft damage.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by April 19,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 2001-NE-12-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
By fax: (781) 238-7055.
By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov.
You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299;
telephone: (781) 238-7175, fax: (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2001-NE-12--AD'' in the
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those
comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Discussion
On May 16, 2002, the FAA issued AD 2002-10-15, Amendment 39-12761
(67 FR 36803, May 28, 2002). That AD requires repetitive application of
DFL to LPC fan blade roots. That AD resulted from an aborted take-off
resulting from LPC fan blade loss, and reports of four cracked LPC fan
blade roots.
Actions Since AD 2002-10-15 was Issued
Since that AD was issued, we have determined from a sampling of DFL
coatings on fan blades, that the DFL coating condition has some
variation. The condition appears worse than anticipated on fan blades
fitted to disks previously run for a significant period. Also, since
that AD was issued, we discovered that the Trent 884B engine needs to
be added to the applicability list, and fan blade, P/N FW23552, needs
to be added to the list of affected blades.
Special Flight Permits Paragraph Removed
Paragraph (d) of the current AD, AD 2002-10-15, contains a
paragraph pertaining to special flight permits. Even though this final
rule does not contain a similar paragraph, we have made no changes with
regard to the use of special flight permits to operate the airplane to
a repair facility to do the work required by this AD. In July 2002, we
published a new Part 39 that contains a general authority regarding
special flight permits and airworthiness directives; see Docket No.
FAA-2004-8460, Amendment 39-9474 (69 FR 47998, July 22, 2002). Thus,
when we now supersede ADs we will not include a specific paragraph on
special flight permits unless we want to limit the use of that general
authority granted in section 39.23.
Replacement of References to Manual Tasks, Repair Schemes, and Coatings
In this proposed AD, we have replaced references in AD 2002-10-15
to Aircraft Maintenance Manual task 72-31-11-300-801-R00 (Repair Scheme
FRS A031 by air spray method only), Engine Manual task 72-31-11-R001
(Repair Scheme FRS A028), and lubricants, Dow Corning 321R (Rolls-Royce
(RR) Omat item 4/51), Rocol Dry Moly Spray (RR Omat item 4/52), Molydag
709 (RR Omat item 444), or PL.237/R1 (RR Omat item 4/43), with a
reference to RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AD347, Revision 6,
dated April 22, 2004, which contains that information.
[[Page 8304]]
Bilateral Agreement Information
These engine models are manufactured in the U.K. and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would:
Require repetitive application of DFL to LPC fan blade
roots at more frequent intervals than the existing AD;
Add the Trent 884B engine to the applicability;
Add a fan blade P/N to the affected list of fan blades;
and
Relax the initial DFL repetitive application compliance
time for certain fan blades that have never been removed from the disk.
Costs of Compliance
There are approximately 388 RR RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 884B,
892, 892B, and 895 series turbofan engines of the affected design in
the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 106 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. We
also estimate that it would take approximately six work hours per
engine to perform the DFL application, and that the average labor rate
is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the total
cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to perform one repetitive
application of DFL to the affected engines to be $41,340.
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.
We are 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
We have 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal 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. 2001-NE-12-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-12761 (67 FR
36803, May 28, 2002) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, to
read as follows:
Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. 2001-NE-12-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by April 19,
2005.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-10-15, Amendment 39-12761.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 875,
877, 884, 884B, 892, 892B, and 895 series turbofan engines with low
pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade part numbers (P/Ns): FK 30838,
FK30840, FK30842, FW12960, FW12961, FW12962, FW13175, FW18548, or
FW23552. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing
777 series airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from the discovery of dry film lubricant
(DFL) condition appearing worse than anticipated on fan blades
fitted to disks previously run for a significant period. This AD
also results from the need to update the list of engine models
affected, and to update the list of fan blade part numbers affected.
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent LPC fan
blade loss, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and
possible aircraft damage.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
(f) Apply an approved DFL to LPC fan blade roots as follows:
(1) For LPC fan blades P/Ns FW13175, FW12960, FW12961, FW12962,
FW18548, and FW23552 that have never been removed from the disk,
apply DFL at the first removal from the disk or before 1,200 cycles-
in-service (CIS), whichever occurs first.
(2) For LPC fan blades P/Ns FW13175, FW12960, FW12961, FW12962,
FW18548, and FW23552 that have been removed from the disk since
entering service, apply DFL before accumulating 600 cycles-since-new
(CSN) or before accumulating 600 cycles-since-last DFL application,
or within 200 CIS from the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
(3) For LPC fan blades P/Ns FK30842, FK30840, and FK300838,
apply DFL before accumulating 600 CSN or before accumulating 600
cycles-since-last DFL application, or within 100 CIS after July 2,
2002 (effective date of superseded AD 2002-10-15), whichever occurs
first.
(4) Thereafter, reapply DFL to LPC fan blade roots within 600
cycles-since-last DFL application.
(5) Information on applying DFL to fan blade roots can be found
in RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AD347, Revision 6, dated
April 22, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
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Related Information
(h) Civil Aviation Authority Airworthiness Directive G-2004-
0008, dated April 29, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 10, 2005.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-3191 Filed 2-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P