[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27973-27975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11997]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0521; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-524C2 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as: A number of LPT casings have been found cracked during
engine shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing reduces the capability of
the casing to contain debris in the event of an LPT stage 1 blade
failure. Therefore, blade failure in an engine featuring a cracked LPT
casing may result in release of uncontained high energy debris. For the
reason described above, this AD requires repetitive inspections and
corrective actions, depending on
[[Page 27974]]
findings. We are proposing this AD to detect cracks in the LPT casings,
which could result in the release of uncontained high-energy debris in
the event of a stage 1 blade failure. Uncontained high-energy debris
could result in damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 6, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
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 plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United
Kingdom; telephone 011 44 1332 242424; fax 011 44 1332 249936 for the
service information identified in this proposed AD.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0521;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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, 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).
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0083, dated April 16, 2009 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A number of LPT casings have been found cracked during engine
shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing reduces the capability of the
casing to contain debris in the event of an LPT stage 1 blade
failure. Therefore, blade failure in an engine featuring a cracked
LPT casing may result in release of uncontained high energy debris.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Rolls-Royce plc has issued Alert Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AG076,
dated November 13, 2008. 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 Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the
United Kingdom, and is approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, they have
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all 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.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 10 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 10 work-hours per product to comply with this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required
parts would cost about $25,000 per product. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $258,500.
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 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 this 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. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
[[Page 27975]]
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 FAA 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 adding the following new AD:
Rolls-Royce plc (Formerly Rolls-Royce Limited): Docket No. FAA-2010-
0521; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-21-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by July 6, 2010.
Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211-524C2-19
and RB211-524C2-B-19 turbofan engines. These engines are installed
on, but not limited to, Boeing 747 series airplanes.
Reason
(d) A number of low-pressure turbine (LPT) casings have been
found cracked during engine shop visit. Cracking of the LPT casing
reduces the capability of the casing to contain debris in the event
of an LPT stage 1 blade failure. Blade failure in an engine with a
cracked LPT casing may result in release of uncontained high-energy
debris.
We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in the LPT casings,
which could result in the release of uncontained high-energy debris
in the event of a stage 1 blade failure. Uncontained high energy
debris could result in damage to the airplane.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions:
Initial Inspection Requirements
(1) Perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) before the
life of the LPT casing has reached 4,500 cycles-since-new (CSN) or
within 4,500 cycles-since-last inspection (CSLI) or within 500
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
You can find guidance on performing the FPI in RR Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008.
Repetitive Inspection Requirements
(2) Thereafter, perform an FPI at intervals not exceeding 4,500
CSLI. You can find guidance on performing the FPI in Rolls-Royce plc
ASB RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008.
Remove Parts With Cracks
(3) Remove cracked LPT casings, found using paragraphs (e)(1) or
(e)(2) of this AD, from service before further flight.
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 MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0083, dated
April 16, 2009, and Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No.
RB.211-72-AG076, dated November 13, 2008, for related information.
Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United
Kingdom; telephone 011 44 1332 242424; fax 011 44 1332 249936, for a
copy of this service information.
(h) Contact Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199,
for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 12, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-11997 Filed 5-18-10; 8:45 am]
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