[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14797-14799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6154]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0176; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-05-AD;
Amendment 39-16636; AD 2011-06-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 900
Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This 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:
An uncontained engine failure has recently occurred on a Rolls-
Royce RB211 Trent 900 involving release of high energy debris and
resulting in damage to the aeroplane. Analysis of the available
elements from the incident investigation shows that an oil fire in
the High Pressure/Intermediate Pressure (HP/IP) structure cavity may
have initiated a sequence of events leading to rupture of the drive
arm of the IP Turbine (IPT) disc and subsequent overspeed and burst
of that same disc.
We are issuing this AD to prevent overspeed of the intermediate
pressure turbine, which could result in loss of disc integrity, an
uncontained failure of the engine, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April 4, 2011.
We must receive comments on this AD by April 18, 2011.
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: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
[[Page 14798]]
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.
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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (phone: (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: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; phone: (781) 238-7143; 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 Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2010-0262, dated December 13, 2010 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
An uncontained engine failure has recently occurred on a Rolls-
Royce RB211 Trent 900 involving release of high energy debris and
resulting in damage to the aeroplane. Analysis of the available
elements from the incident investigation shows that an oil fire in
the High Pressure/Intermediate Pressure (HP/IP) structure cavity may
have initiated a sequence of events leading to rupture of the drive
arm of the IP Turbine (IPT) disc and subsequent overspeed and burst
of that same disc.
Rolls-Royce has developed a modification of the Engine
Electronic Controller (EEC) software, featuring an IPT Overspeed
Protection System (IPTOS). The purpose of the IPTOS functionality is
to detect engine conditions that may potentially lead to an IP
turbine overspeed, and shut down the engine before the level of
overspeed reaches the disc burst speed.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Rolls-Royce plc has issued Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems
Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AG639, dated December 3, 2010. 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
United Kingdom, and is approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, EASA has
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all information provided by the EASA, and determined the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since no domestic operators use this product, notice and
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary.
Therefore, we are adopting this regulation immediately.
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-2011-0176; Directorate
Identifier 2011-NE-05-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://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 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).
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, 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
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.
[[Page 14799]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2011-06-11 Rolls-Royce plc (RR): Amendment 39-16636; Docket No. FAA-
2011-0176; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-05-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 4,
2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to RR model RB211-Trent 970-84, 970B-84,
972-84, 972B-84, 977-84, 977B-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines. These
engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A380 series
airplanes.
Reason
(d) An uncontained engine failure has recently occurred on a
Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent 900 involving release of high energy debris
and resulting in damage to the aeroplane. Analysis of the available
elements from the incident investigation shows that an oil fire in
the High Pressure/Intermediate Pressure (HP/IP) structure cavity may
have initiated a sequence of events leading to rupture of the drive
arm of the IP Turbine (IPT) disc and subsequent overspeed and burst
of that same disc.
Rolls-Royce has developed a modification of the Engine
Electronic Controller (EEC) software, featuring an IPT Overspeed
Protection System (IPTOS). The purpose of the IPTOS functionality is
to detect engine conditions that may potentially lead to an IP
turbine overspeed, and shut down the engine before the level of
overspeed reaches the disc burst speed.
We are issuing this AD to prevent overspeed of the intermediate
pressure turbine, which could result in loss of disc integrity, an
uncontained failure of the engine, and damage to the airplane.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within 10 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
incorporate software 10.6 to the EEC.
(2) Guidance on incorporating software 10.6 can be found in
Rolls-Royce plc Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems Alert Service
Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-AG639, dated December 3, 2010.
Prior Software Version Prohibition
(3) After incorporation of software 10.6, do not incorporate any
software version prior to 10.6 to the EEC.
FAA AD Differences
(f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) as follows:
(1) MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2010-0262,
dated December 13, 2010, requires that after EEC modification of an
installed engine as required by that AD, do not intermix with any
EEC software standards prior to modification 73-F328 (standard
9.2.1) on that airplane. This AD does not, because there are no U.S.
registered airplanes with RB211-Trent 900 engines.
(2) MCAI EASA AD 2010-0262, dated December 13, 2010, states that
from the effective date of the AD, no engine may be installed in an
airplane unless the engine has incorporated the new software. This
AD does not, because there are no U.S. registered airplanes with
RB211-Trent 900 engines.
(3) MCAI EASA AD 2010-0262, dated December 13, 2010, allows
incorporation of later approved versions of EEC software standards
that will include IPTOS functionality. This AD does not. Instead, we
prohibit software installation prior to version 10.6.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) 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 AD 2010-0262, dated December 13, 2010,
and Rolls-Royce plc Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems Alert SB No.
RB.211-73-AG639, dated December 3, 2010, for related information.
(i) Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ,
United Kingdom; phone: 44 1332 242424; fax: 44 1332 249936, for a
copy of the service information referenced in this AD.
(j) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected];
phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 11, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-6154 Filed 3-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P