Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines
| Published date | 02 April 2020 |
| Record Number | 2020-06736 |
| Section | Proposed rules |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 64 (Thursday, April 2, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 64 (Thursday, April 2, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18478-18481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06736]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0293; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00122-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Trent 1000-AE3, Trent
1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3,
Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-
P3, Trent 1000-Q3, Trent 1000-R3, Trent 7000-72, and Trent 7000-72C
model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a
crack finding of the front air seal on the intermediate-pressure
compressor (IPC) shaft assembly during the stripping of a flight test
engine. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive borescope
inspections (BSIs) of the IPC shaft assembly and, depending on the
results of the inspection, replacement of the IPC shaft assembly with a
part eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 18,
2020.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202 493 2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12 140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Rolls-
Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, 15827 Blankenfelde-
Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 708 6 0; email: https://www.rolls-
royce.com/
[[Page 18479]]
contact-us.aspx. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0293; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI),
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Elwin, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-
238-7236; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0293;
Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00122-E'' at the beginning of your
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM.
The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend this NPRM because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552),
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing
CBI should be sent to Stephen Elwin, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch,
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Any commentary that
the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be
placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Discussion
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has
issued EASA AD 2019-0282, dated November 20, 2019 (referred to after
this as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these
products. The MCAI states:
An occurrence was reported of finding cracks in the front air
seal of the IPC shaft assembly during stripping of a flight test
engine. Follow-up inspections of other in-shop engines revealed two
more cracked front air seals of IPC shaft assemblies.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to IPC
shaft failure, possibly resulting in engine in-flight shut-down and
consequent reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Rolls-Royce
developed an inspection method and issued the NMSB, providing those
inspection instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive on-wing inspections of the front air seal of the affected
part at a specific area between the fourth (rearmost) seal fin of
the IPC shaft assembly front air seal and the IPC Stage 1 disc and,
depending on findings, removal from service of the engine for
corrective action(s).
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0293.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Alert Non-Modification
Service Bulletin (NMSB) 72-AK451, Initial Issue, dated November 14,
2019. The Alert NMSB describes procedures for initial and repetitive
BSIs of the IPC shaft assembly. This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties have access to it through
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the
ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by EASA and is approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement
with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced
above. The FAA is proposing this AD because we evaluated all the
relevant information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other
products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive BSIs of the
IPC shaft assembly and, depending on the results of the inspection,
replacement of the IPC shaft assembly with a part eligible for
installation.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 14 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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BSI IPC shaft assembly.............. 3.5 work-hours x $85 $0 $297.50 $4,165
per hour = $297.50.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacement that would be required based on the results of the proposed
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the
[[Page 18480]]
number of engines that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace IPC shaft assembly................ 1,080 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,365,219 $1,457,019
$91,800.
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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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously
Held by Rolls-Royce plc): Docket No. FAA-2020-0293; Project
Identifier MCAI-2019-00122-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by May 18, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to:
(1) Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) (Type Certificate
previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3,
Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent
1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3,
Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 model turbofan engines.
(2) RRD Trent 7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a crack finding of the front
air seal on the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) shaft
assembly during the stripping of a flight test engine. The FAA is
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the IPC shaft assembly. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of thrust
control and reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within the compliance times specified in Table 1 to
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, and thereafter, at intervals not to
exceed 200 flight cycles (FCs), perform a borescope inspection (BSI)
of the IPC shaft assembly, part number KH18436, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of Rolls-Royce (RR)
Trent 1000 Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 72-AK451,
Initial Issue, dated November 14, 2019.
[[Page 18481]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02AP20.001
(2) An in-shop BSI in accordance with Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 3.A, of RR Trent 1000 Alert NMSB 72-AK451,
Initial Issue, dated November 14, 2019, may be substituted for any
on-wing BSI, provided the compliance time specified in Table 1 to
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD is not exceeded.
(3) If, during any initial or repetitive BSI of the IPC shaft
assembly required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, any crack
is detected, before further flight, remove the IPC shaft assembly
and replace it with a part eligible for installation.
(h) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for installation''
is:
(1) An IPC shaft assembly that is new (not previously installed
on an engine);
(2) An IPC shaft assembly that, before (re)installation, has
passed an inspection (no crack detected) in accordance with
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of RR Trent 1000 Alert
NMSB 72-AK451, Initial Issue, dated November 14, 2019.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
The reporting requirements in the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraphs 3.A. and 3.B., of RR Trent 1000 Alert NMSB 72-AK451,
Initial Issue, dated November 14, 2019, are not required by this AD.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the initial BSI of the IPC shaft
assembly that is required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you
performed the BSI before the effective date of this AD using RR
Trent 1000 NMSB 72-K452, Initial Issue, dated October 21, 2019.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Stephen Elwin,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7236; fax: 781-238-7199;
email: [email protected].
(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2019-0282, dated November 20, 2019, for more information. You may
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No.
FAA-2020-0293.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, 15827
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 708 6 0; email:
https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx. You may view this
referenced service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
781-238-7759.
Issued on March 26, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-06736 Filed 4-1-20; 8:45 am]
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