[Federal Register: November 7, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 215)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65043-65044]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07no06-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25855; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-29-AD;
Amendment 39-14819; AD 2006-23-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent
772-60, and Trent 772B-60 Turbofan Engines.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan
engines. This AD requires removing from service certain sets of fan
blade annulus fillers at a new life limit. This AD results from six
reports of fan annulus filler release into the engine. We are issuing
this AD to prevent a dual-engine shutdown on twin-engine airplanes.
DATES: Effective November 22, 2006.
We must receive any comments on this AD by January 8, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
telephone: (781) 238-7175, fax: (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),
which is the airworthiness authority for the European community,
recently notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on Rolls-Royce
plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan engines.
EASA advises that six occurrences of the release of a fan annulus
filler into the engine have occurred in 2005. Because of the number of
events, there is a risk of a dual-engine shutdown on twin-engine
airplanes.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
These Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60
turbofan engines are manufactured in the United Kingdom. They 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. Under this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, EASA kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the findings of EASA, 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 This AD
Although no airplanes that are registered in the United States use
these engines, the possibility exists that the engines could be used on
airplanes that are registered in the United States in the future. The
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on
other Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-60, and Trent 772B-60
turbofan engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to
prevent a dual-engine shutdown on twin-engine airplanes. This AD
requires the following:
On or before December 31, 2006, if an airplane has fan
annulus fillers, part number (P/N) FK21226, installed in both engines
or has fan annulus fillers, P/N FK21226, in one engine and P/N FK22974,
in the other engine, then the accumulated life of the fan annulus
fillers on at least one engine must not exceed 7,500 cycles-in-service
(CIS). Replace one of the engines, or one set of fan annulus fillers
before further flight to comply with this requirement.
After December 31, 2006, remove sets of fan annulus
fillers, P/N FK21226, before exceeding the life limit of 6,500 CIS.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since there are currently no domestic operators of this engine
model, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD
are unnecessary.
[[Page 65044]]
A situation exists that allows the immediate adoption of this
regulation.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2006-25855;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-29-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets. This
includes the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management
Facility Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800)
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
the DMS receives them.
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 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 the 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. 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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:
2006-23-07 Rolls Royce plc: Amendment 39-14819. Docket No. FAA-2006-
25855; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-29-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November
22, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc Trent 768-60, Trent 772-
60, and Trent 772B-60 turbofan engines. These engines are installed
on, but not limited to, Airbus A330 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from six reports of fan annulus filler
release into the engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent a dual-
engine shutdown on twin-engine airplanes.
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.
Actions to Take on or Before December 31, 2006
(f) On or before December 31, 2006, if an airplane has fan
annulus fillers, part number (P/N) FK21226, installed in both
engines or has fan annulus fillers, P/N FK21226, in one engine and
P/N FK22974, in the other engine, then the accumulated life of the
fan annulus fillers on at least one engine must not exceed 7,500
cycles-in-service (CIS). Replace one of the engines, or one set of
fan annulus fillers before further flight to comply with this
requirement.
Actions to Take After December 31, 2006
(g) After December 31, 2006, remove sets of fan annulus fillers,
P/N FK21226, before exceeding the life limit of 6,500 CIS.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(h) 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.
Related Information
(i) EASA airworthiness directive No. 2006-0116, dated May 8,
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.
(j) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AF109,
dated March 28, 2006, pertains to the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 31, 2006.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18702 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am]
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