[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63727-63730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26115]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0162; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-19-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: This action revises an earlier proposed airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to certain RR RB211-524 series turbofan
engines. That proposal would have required initial and repetitive
borescope inspections of the head section and meterpanel assembly of
the combustion liner, and replacement if necessary with serviceable
parts. That proposal was prompted by an inquiry submitted by an
operator, which resulted in RR performing a complete review of the
affected front combustion liner part numbers (P/Ns). This action
revises the proposed rule by clarifying the applicability paragraph (c)
of the proposed AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent deterioration
of the engine combustion liner, which can result in combustion liner
breakup, case burn-through, engine fire, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 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: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936 for the
service information identified in this proposed AD.
The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management
Facility,
[[Page 63728]]
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0162; Directorate
Identifier 2004-NE-19-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, 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
The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a proposed AD. The
proposed AD applies to certain RB211-524 series turbofan engines. We
published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on March 2, 2009 (74
FR 9050). That action proposed to require:
Initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the
combustion liner head section and meterpanel assembly of the combustion
liner and, if necessary, replacement.
Reduction of the inspection intervals of certain RB211-524
engine models that have not been repaired to RR Field Repair Scheme
FRS5367/B, and
A mandatory terminating action to the repetitive
inspections.
Since we issued that NPRM, we determined that we need to remove the
P/Ns of the combustion chamber cases from paragraph (c) of the proposed
AD. Because this proposed AD expands the population of engines affected
by the proposed AD, this supplemental NPRM reopens the comment period.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD would affect 18 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2
work-hours per engine to perform the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. No parts are required, so
parts would cost $0. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost
of the AD to U.S. operators would be $3,060.
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. You may get a copy of this summary at the
address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, 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 39-13917 (70 FR
680, January 5, 2005), and by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
Rolls-Royce plc: Docket No. FAA-2009-0162; Directorate Identifier
2004-NE-19-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by December 17,
2010.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2004-26-05, Amendment 39-13917.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) engine models RB211-
524B-02, -524B3-02 engines and RB211-524B2, -524B4, -524C2, and -
524D4 series engines with a front combustion liner assembly that
incorporates RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-7221 or RR SB
No. RB.211-72-7998, but doesn't incorporate RR SB No. RB.211-72-9670
or RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764, and engine models RB211-524G and -524H
[[Page 63729]]
series engines with a front combustion liner assembly that doesn't
incorporate RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764. These engines are installed
on, but not limited to, Boeing 747 and Lockheed L1011 series
airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from an inquiry submitted by an operator
which resulted in RR performing a complete review of the affected
front combustion liner part numbers. We are issuing this AD to
prevent deterioration of the engine combustion liner, which can
result in combustion liner breakup, case burn-through, engine fire,
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.
Credit for Previous Inspections
(f) Engine inspections previously made to RR Service Bulletin
No. RB.211-72-B482, Revision 8, dated November 15, 2001, meet the
requirements of this AD for the initial or repetitive inspections
specified in paragraphs (g) through (g)(2) and (h) through (h)(4) of
this AD.
Inspections of Combustion Liner Head Sections--Not Previously Repaired
(g) Borescope-inspect combustion liner head sections that have
not been previously repaired. Use paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5)
of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the
cycles-since-new (CSN), cycles-since-last inspection (CSLI), and
cycles-in-service (CIS) compliance thresholds in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1--Combustion Liner Head Section--Not Previously Repaired
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Parts exceeding initial
Engine series Initial inspection Repetitive inspection inspection cycles
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(1) RB211-524C2, -524D4, -524G, and - Within 1,400 to 1,600 Within 200 CSLI........ Within 100 CIS after
524H. CSN. the effective date of
this AD.
(2) RB211-524B-02, -524B2, -524B3-02, Within 3,000 to 3,200 Within 200 CSLI........ Within 200 CIS after
and -524B4. CSN. the effective date of
this AD.
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Inspections of Combustion Liner Head Sections--Previously Repaired
Using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B
(h) If the combustion liner head section was previously repaired
using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B, do the following:
(1) Borescope-inspect combustion liner head sections. Use
paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July
28, 2003, and the cycles-since-last repair (CSLR), CSLI, and CIS
compliance thresholds in Table 2 of this AD.
(2) If all 18 struts on a combustion liner that is subject to RR
ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, were
repaired using the nicrobraze repair specified in RR Field Repair
Scheme FRS5367, that repair is equivalent to compliance with RR
Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B. Borescope-inspect the combustion
liner as specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD.
Table 2--Combustion Liner Head Section--Previously Repaired Using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B
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Parts exceeding initial
Engine series Initial inspection Repetitive inspection inspection cycles
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(3) RB211-524C2, -524D4, -524G, and - Within 1,800 to 2,200 Within 400 CSLI........ Within 200 CIS after
524H. CSLR. the effective date of
this AD.
(4) RB211-524B-02, -524B2, -524B3-02, Within 3,000 to 3,200 Within 400 CSLI........ Within 200 CIS after
and -524B4. CSLR. the effective date of
this AD.
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Inspections of Combustion Liner Head Sections That Have Been Repaired
But Did Not Use RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B
(i) For engines that have a combustion liner head section
repaired using a method other than RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B,
do the following:
(1) Borescope-inspect combustion liner head section. Use
paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July
28, 2003, and the CSLR, CSLI, and CIS compliance thresholds in Table
3 of this AD.
Table 3--Combustion Liner Head Section--Repaired, But Did Not Use RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B
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Parts exceeding initial
Engine series Initial inspection Repetitive inspection inspection cycles
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(2) RB211-524C2, -524D4, -524G, and - Within 500 to 700 CSLR. Within 200 CSLI........ Within 100 CIS after
524H. the effective date of
this AD.
(3) RB211-524B-02, -524B2, -524B3-02, Within 2,000 to 2,200 Within 200 CSLI........ Within 200 CIS after
and -524B4. CSLR. the effective date of
this AD.
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(4) Head sections repaired by replacement of all 18 struts
using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS6548 are considered as equivalent to
fitting a new head section for inspection purposes. Borescope-
inspect the combustion liner as specified in paragraph (h)(1) of
this AD.
Inspections of Meterpanel Assemblies--Not Repaired
(j) Borescope-inspect meterpanel assemblies that incorporate SB
No. RB.211-72-7998, that have not been previously repaired. Use
paragraphs 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July
28, 2003, and the CSN, CSLI, and CIS compliance thresholds in Table
4 of this AD.
[[Page 63730]]
Table 4--Meterpanel Assembly--Not Repaired
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Parts exceeding initial
Engine series Initial inspection Repetitive inspection inspection cycles
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(1) RB211-524D4, -524G, and -524H.... Within 1,000 to 1,200 Within 400 CSLI........ Within 50 CIS after the
CSN. effective date of this
AD.
(2) RB211-524D4, -524G, and -524H Within 1,800 to 2,000 Within 400 CSLI........ Within 50 CIS after the
that have not used RB211-524H CSN. effective date of this
ratings at any time. AD.
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Inspections of Meterpanel Assemblies--Repaired
(k) For meterpanel assemblies that incorporate SB No. RB.211-72-
7998, and have been repaired previously, do the following:
(1) Borescope-inspect meterpanel assemblies that have been
previously repaired. Use paragraphs 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7) of the
Accomplishment Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision
9, dated July 28, 2003, and the CSLR, CSLI, and CIS compliance
thresholds in Table 5 of this AD.
Table 5--Meterpanel Assembly--Repaired
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Parts exceeding initial
Engine series Initial inspection Repetitive inspection inspection cycles
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(2) RB211-524D4, -524G, and -524H.... Within 500 to 700 CSLR. Within 400 CSLI........ Within 50 CIS after the
effective date of this
AD.
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Reject Parts
(l) Replace parts that exceed the acceptance criteria.
Information about the acceptance criteria can be found in the
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, 72-00-00, Inspection/Check.
Mandatory Terminating Action
(m) Replace the front combustion liner assembly with a front
combustion liner not affected by this AD at the next shop visit.
(n) For RB211-524B02, -524B2, -524B3-02, -524B4-02, -524C2 and -
524D4 engines, replacing the front combustion liner assembly with a
front combustion liner assembly that incorporates the modifications
in RR SB No. RB.211-72-9670, Original Issue, dated August 27, 1993;
or RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764, Revision 3, dated January 16, 1998,
constitutes terminating action to the repetitive inspections in
paragraphs (g), (h), (i), (j), and (k), of this AD.
(o) For RB211-524G and -524H engines, replacing the front
combustion liner assembly with a front combustion liner assembly
that incorporates the modifications in RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764,
Revision 3, dated January 16, 1998, constitutes terminating action
to the repetitive inspections in paragraphs (g), (h), (i), (j), and
(k) of this AD.
Definition of Shop Visit
(p) For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is any time that
the 04 module is removed for repair or overhaul.
Related Information
(q) Contact Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected];
telephone (781) 238-7178; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
(r) Rolls-Royce ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July
28, 2003; SB No. RB.211-72-9764, Revision 3, dated January 16, 1998;
and SB No. RB.211-72-9670, Original Issue, dated August 27, 1993,
pertain to the subject of this AD. 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 6, 2010.
Diane S. Romanosky,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-26115 Filed 10-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P