[Federal Register: November 9, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 217)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 63508-63510]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09no07-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24825; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-17-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
(RRD) Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542, and 552 Series Turboprop Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for (RRD) Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542, and 552 Series
turboprop engines. That AD currently requires a dimensional inspection
of the intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) disk or an ultrasonic
inspection of the seal arm contact between the high pressure turbine
(HPT) and the IPT disk seal arm and reworking or replacing the IPT disk
if worn beyond acceptable limits. This proposed AD would continue to
require those actions. This proposed AD results from us including an
incorrect engine model and omitting an engine model from the
applicability of the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent
HPT disk failure, which can result in an uncontained engine failure and
damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by January 8,
2008.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
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.
Contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, D-15827
Dahlewitz, Germany; telephone 49 (0) 33-7086-1768; fax 49 (0) 33-7086-
3356 for the service information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7747;
fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-24825;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-17-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any
of our dockets,
[[Page 63509]]
including, if provided, 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).
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 proposed 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.
Discussion
On January 12, 2007, the FAA issued AD 2007-02-07, Amendment 39-
14894 (72 FR 2610, January 12, 2007). That AD requires a dimensional
inspection of the IPT disk or an ultrasonic inspection of the seal arm
contact between the HPT and the IPT disk seal arm and reworking or
replacing the IPT disk if worn beyond acceptable limits. That AD was
the result of reports of a number of HPT disk failures, some of which
resulted in released portions of the HPT disk. That condition, if not
corrected, could result in HPT disk failure, which can result in an
uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2007-02-07 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2007-02-07, we found that we listed Dart 555
series turboprop engines, which don't exist, and we omitted Dart 552
series engines from the AD. We are proposing this AD to delete Dart 555
series engines from the applicability paragraph of this proposed AD and
to list Dart 552 series turboprop engines in the applicability
paragraph of this proposed AD.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of RRD DART
Service Bulletin (SB) Da72-536, Revision 1, dated August 25, 2003, and
SB Da72-538, dated June 10, 2005. SB Da72-536 describes procedures for
conducting an ultrasonic inspection to determine if a gap exists
between the HPT and IPT disk seal arms. SB Da72-538 describes
procedures for a dimensional inspection of the IPT disk and rework or
replacement of the IPT disk if wear outside acceptable limits is found.
The LBA classified this SB as mandatory and issued airworthiness
directive D-2005-197, dated June 30, 2005, in order to ensure the
airworthiness of these engines in Germany.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information
Because the service information was developed before the proposed
AD, the compliance times permitted to conduct the inspections differ.
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. For that reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require a dimensional inspection of the IPT disk or an
ultrasonic inspection of seal arm contact between the HPT and the IPT
disk seal arm, and rework or replacement of the IPT disk, if wear
outside acceptable limits is found. The proposed AD would require you
to use the service information described previously to perform these
actions.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 30 RRD Dart 528,
529, 532, 535, 542, and 552 series turbofan engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about
50 work-hours per engine to perform the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $50,000 per IPT disk. We estimate that 25 percent, or eight
engines, would require IPT disk replacement. Based on these figures, we
estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be
$500,000.
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 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
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 39-14894 (72 FR
2610, January 12, 2007) and by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (formerly Rolls-Royce plc):
Docket No. FAA-2006-24825; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-17-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by January 8,
2008.
[[Page 63510]]
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-02-17, Amendment 39-14894.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD)
Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542, and 552 series turboprop engines.
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Hawker Siddeley,
Argosy AW.650, Fairchild Hiller F-27, F-27A, F-27B, F-27F, F-27G, F-
27J, FH-227, FH-227B, FH-227C, FH-227D, FH-227E, Fokker F.27 all
marks; British Aircraft Corporation Viscount 744, 745D and 810; and
Gulfstream G-159 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from us including an incorrect engine model
and omitting an engine model from the applicability of the existing
AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent HPT disk failure, which can
result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
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.
Intermediate Pressure Turbine (IPT) Disk and High Pressure Turbine
(HPT)/IPT Disk Seal Arm Inspections
(f) Within 60 days after the effective date of the AD, do either
of the following:
(1) Perform a dimensional inspection of the IPT disk and repair
or replace the IPT disk, if necessary using paragraph 3 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of RRD service bulletin (SB) Da72-538,
dated June 10, 2005; or
(2) Perform an ultrasonic inspection of the disk seal arm
contact between the HPT and the IPT using paragraph 3 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of RRD SB Da72-536, Revision 1, dated
August 25, 2003.
(i) For RRD Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542 series turboprop
engines if wear is outside allowable limits, before June 30, 2007,
perform a dimensional inspection and repair or replace the IPT disk,
if necessary. Use paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of
RRD SB Da72-538, dated June 10, 2005.
(ii) For RRD Dart 552 series turboprop engines if wear is
outside allowable limits, before April 30, 2008, perform a
dimensional inspection and repair or replace the IPT disk, if
necessary. Use paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of RRD
SB Da72-538, dated June 10, 2005.
(iii) If wear is within allowable limits, perform a dimensional
inspection of the IPT disk at the next engine shop visit or at next
overhaul, whichever occurs first and repair or replace the IPT disk,
if necessary. Use paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of
RRD SB Da72-538, dated June 10, 2005.
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.
Related Information
(h) LBA airworthiness directive D-2005-197, dated June 30, 2005,
also addresses the subject of this AD.
(i) Contact Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7747, fax
(781) 238-7199; e-mail: jason.yang@faa.gov, for more information
about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 2, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22003 Filed 11-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P