[Federal Register: September 18, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 180)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53108-53110]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18se07-6]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27955; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-15-AD;
Amendment 39-15201; AD 2007-19-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 500 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) provided by an aviation authority of
the United Kingdom (UK) to identify and correct an unsafe condition on
Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 500 series turbofan engines. The MCAI
states the following:
This AD requires replacement of Intermediate Pressure Compressor
(IP Compressor) Drums (Part Number FK30102) of nine part serial
numbers. This action is necessary following the discovery of strain
induced porosity in a Trent 500 IP Compressor Drum forging.
Engineering assessment concluded that the problem is caused by the
forging process and it is
[[Page 53109]]
believed that this is a batch related occurrence. Nine discs,
identified as coming from the same batch, could be affected by this
problem. Strain induced porosity in the dovetail posts of the stage
1 of the IP Compressor drum could result, in the worst case, in an
uncontained loss of 2 IP Compressor stage 1 blades. Thus, the strain
induced porosity possibly affecting those nine discs presents a
potential unsafe condition.
We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained loss of IP compressor
stage 1 blades.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 3, 2007. We must receive
comments on this AD by October 3, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
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.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as the Mail
address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-
mail: Christopher.spinney@faa.gov, telephone (781) 238-7175, fax (781)
238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued AD 2007-
0046, dated February 22, 2007, to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The EASA AD states:
This Airworthiness Directive requires replacement of
Intermediate Pressure Compressor (IP Compressor) Drums (Part Number
FK30102) of nine part serial numbers. This action is necessary
following the discovery of strain induced porosity in a Trent 500 IP
Compressor Drum forging. Engineering assessment concluded that the
problem is caused by the forging process and it is believed that
this is a batch related occurrence. Nine discs, identified as coming
from the same batch, could be affected by this problem. Strain
induced porosity in the dovetail posts of the stage 1 of the IP
Compressor drum could result, in the worst case, in an uncontained
loss of 2 IP Compressor stage 1 blades. Thus, the strain induced
porosity possibly affecting those nine discs presents a potential
unsafe condition.
You may obtain further information by examining the EASA AD in the
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Rolls-Royce plc has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 292 73
2818, Original Issue, dated October 18, 2006, and Update No. 1, dated
April 3, 2007. The actions described in this service information are
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the UK
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with the UK, they have notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the EASA AD and service information referenced
above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information
provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
This AD requires removal of IP Compressor Drums, part number FK30102,
serial numbers MW0134967, MW0131219, MW0156891, MW0158192, MW0164840,
MW0168864, MW0168190, MW0171399, and KHI00012 from service at the next
engine overhaul or before accumulating 2,190 cycles-since-new,
whichever occurs first. This AD also requires replacement with a
serviceable Drum.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because no
airplanes that are registered in the United States use these engines.
Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment
before issuing this AD are unnecessary and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-27955; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NE-15-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
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 we
receive about this AD.
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 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,
[[Page 53110]]
or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated 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
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 AD:
2007-19-10 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-15201; Docket No. FAA-2007-
27955; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-15-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October
3, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 553-61, 556-
61, 556B-61, 560-61, 553A2-61, 556A2-61, 556B2-61, and 560A2-61
turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited
to, Airbus A340-500 and 600 series airplanes.
Reason
(d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2007-0046,
dated February 22, 2007, states:
This Airworthiness Directive requires replacement of Intermediate
Pressure Compressor (IP Compressor) Drums (Part Number FK30102) of
nine part serial numbers. This action is necessary following the
discovery of strain induced porosity in a Trent 500 IP Compressor
Drum forging. Engineering assessment concluded that the problem is
caused by the forging process and it is believed that this is a
batch related occurrence. Nine discs, identified as coming from the
same batch, could be affected by this problem. Strain induced
porosity in the dovetail posts of the stage 1 of the IP Compressor
drum could result, in the worst case, in an uncontained loss of 2 IP
Compressor stage 1 blades. Thus, the strain induced porosity
possibly affecting those nine discs presents a potential unsafe
condition.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Remove the IP Compressor Drums, part number FK30102, serial
numbers MW0134967, MW0131219, MW0156891, MW0158192, MW0164840,
MW0168864, MW0168190, MW0171399, and KHI00012, from service at the
next engine overhaul or before accumulating 2,190 cycles-since-new,
whichever occurs first.
(2) Replace these IP Compressor Drums with a serviceable Drum.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19.
Related Information
(g) Refer to EASA AD 2007-0046, dated February 22, 2007, and
Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AF258, Revision
1, dated March 29, 2007, for related information.
(h) Contact Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
Christopher.spinney@faa.gov, telephone (781) 238-7175, fax (781)
238-7199, for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 11, 2007.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18324 Filed 9-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P