[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45560-45562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19027]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0755; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 800
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:
Revision of the Critical Part lives has been necessary due to
actual operational flight profiles not conforming to those assumed
at entry into service and is associated with a revised Flight
Profile Monitoring methodology (originally based on engine thrust
rating but now based on operating shaft speeds) introduced by Rolls-
Royce.
The new Flight Profile Monitoring methodology allows for seven
new profiles replacing the previous three. Six of these profiles, A
to F, are intended to cover the requirements of most operators. The
Declared Life (in Standard Duty Cycles) is published for each part
and life usage may be accounted by factoring the number of flights
flown. The factor to be used is defined according to the Flight
Profile which is applicable to the fleet.
The seventh profile, called ``Heavy'', will be applicable to
fleets operating outside profiles A to F. A separate Declared Life
(in Flight Cycles) is published for each part and life usage is
accounted without factoring.
We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of critical rotating parts
from exceeding the new, lower life limits, which could result in
uncontained failure of the engine and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 17,
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 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax 44 (0) 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.
[[Page 45561]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; 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-2010-0755;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-12-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 2007-0003R1, dated January 15, 2009 (referred
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Revision of the Critical Part lives has been necessary due to
actual operational flight profiles not conforming to those assumed
at entry into service and is associated with a revised Flight
Profile Monitoring methodology (originally based on engine thrust
rating but now based on operating shaft speeds) introduced by Rolls-
Royce.
The new Flight Profile Monitoring methodology allows for seven
new profiles replacing the previous three. Six of these profiles, A
to F, are intended to cover the requirements of most operators. The
Declared Life (in Standard Duty Cycles) is published for each part
and life usage may be accounted by factoring the number of flights
flown. The factor to be used is defined according to the Flight
Profile which is applicable to the fleet.
The seventh profile, called ``Heavy'', will be applicable to
fleets operating outside profiles A to F. A separate Declared Life
(in Flight Cycles) is published for each part and life usage is
accounted without factoring.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Rolls-Royce plc has issued RB211 Trent 800 Series Propulsion System
Non-Modification Service Bulletin Alert RB.211-72-AE935, Revision 7,
dated January 19, 2009. 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.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
The MCAI requires incorporating the revised Trent 800 life limits
no later than January 31, 2007. This proposed AD would require
incorporating the revised Trent 800 life limits within 30 days after
the effective date of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 16 products of U.S. registry. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour; there is no labor cost because disks are replaced
at scheduled maintenance intervals. Prorated cost of parts would cost
about $45,000 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $720,000.
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 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.
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: Docket No. FAA-2010-0755; Directorate Identifier
2010-NE-12-AD.
[[Page 45562]]
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by September 17, 2010.
Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 895-17, 892-
17, 892B-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 877-17 and 875-17 turbofan engines.
These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 777
series airplanes.
Reason
(d) This AD results from:
Revision of the Critical Part lives has been necessary due to
actual operational flight profiles not conforming to those assumed
at entry into service and is associated with a revised Flight
Profile Monitoring methodology (originally based on engine thrust
rating but now based on operating shaft speeds) introduced by Rolls-
Royce.
The new Flight Profile Monitoring methodology allows for seven
new profiles replacing the previous three. Six of these profiles, A
to F, are intended to cover the requirements of most operators. The
Declared Life (in Standard Duty Cycles) is published for each part
and life usage may be accounted by factoring the number of flights
flown. The factor to be used is defined according to the Flight
Profile which is applicable to the fleet.
The seventh profile, called ``Heavy'', will be applicable to
fleets operating outside profiles A to F. A separate Declared Life
(in Flight Cycles) is published for each part and life usage is
accounted without factoring.
This AD is necessary as life reductions are applicable in some
cases and failure to comply with the revised life limits could
result in an unsafe condition.
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of critical rotating
parts from exceeding the new, lower life limits, which could result
in uncontained failure of the engine and damage to the airplane.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Compliance is required within 30 days after the effective
date of this AD, unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of your
instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate Task
05-10-01-800-801, ``Critical and Critical Group A Parts Lives--
Multiple Flight Profile Monitoring'' and Task 05-10-01-800-802,
``Critical and Critical Group A Parts Lives in the HEAVY Flight
Profile'' of the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 Time Limits manual (TLM)
dated June 15, 2009.
(2) Thereafter, do not revise the ALS of your ICA by
incorporating any revision of the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 TLM dated
prior to the June 15, 2009 revision.
FAA AD Differences
(f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) and or service information as follows:
(1) The MCAI AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations
section no later than January 31, 2007. This AD requires revising
the airworthiness limitations section within 30 days after the
effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD prohibits incorporating into the ALS of the ICA, any
revision of the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 TLM earlier than the June 15,
2009.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) 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
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0003R1,
dated January 15, 2009, and Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 800 Series
Propulsion System Non-Modification Service Bulletin Alert RB.211-72-
AE935, Revision 7, dated January 19, 2009, for related information.
Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United
Kingdom: telephone 044 1332 242424; fax 044 1332 249936, for a copy
of this service information.
(i) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-
7199, for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 19, 2010.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-19027 Filed 8-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P