Proposed Rule2021-22091
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Allison Engine Company) Turboprop Engines
Primary source
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Published
October 12, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100D3 model turboprop engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an engine and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that revealed a crack in the 3rd-stage compressor wheel. This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected 3rd-stage compressor wheel. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 194 (Tuesday, October 12, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 12, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56660-56662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22091]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0874; Project Identifier AD-2021-00668-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Allison Engine Company) Turboprop
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 Corporation (RRC) AE 2100D3 model turboprop
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD)
of an engine and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that
revealed a crack in the 3rd-stage compressor wheel. This proposed AD
would require replacement of the affected 3rd-stage compressor wheel.
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 November
26, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-06,
Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone: (317) 230-1667; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#abe8e6f8eec2c5cfd2e4f8efebd9c4c7c7d88697ca8bc3d9cecd96" http: royce.com">royce.com</a>">CMSEindyOSD@rolls-<a href="http://royce.com">royce.com</a></a>; website: www.rolls-<a href="http://royce.com">royce.com</a>. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety 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 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0874; 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, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Chicago ACO, FAA, 2300 E Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018;
phone: (847) 294-7836; fax: (847) 294-7834; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a5143485314405b485543535b545453497a5c5b5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b6072796225716a796472626a656562784b6d6a6a256c647d">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0874; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00668-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal 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
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
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 Kyri
Zaroyiannis, Aviation Safety Engineer, Chicago ACO, FAA, 2300 E Devon
Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018. Any commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA was notified of an uncommanded IFSD of a RRC AE 3007A1
model turbofan engine installed on an Embraer S.A. model EMB-145
airplane (marketed as ERJ-145), while conducting a revenue flight. The
manufacturer's investigation of this incident revealed that the IFSD
resulted
[[Page 56661]]
from a low-cycle fatigue crack in the dovetail slot for the blade
attachment in the 3rd-stage compressor wheel, causing one 3rd-stage
compressor blade to release. The crack initiated in the dovetail slot
due to a sharp corner in the wheel slot geometry. The broaching process
was identified as the cause of the crack and parts from this
manufacturing lot required removal from service.
In response to this event and the manufacturer's subsequent
investigation, the FAA issued a final rule; request for comments, AD
2020-16-13 (85 FR 45769, July 30, 2020), requiring replacement of
certain 3rd-stage compressor wheels installed on RRC AE 3007A, AE
3007A1, AE 3007A1/1, AE 3007A1/2, AE 3007A1/3, AE 3007A1E, AE 3007A1P,
and AE 3007A3 model turbofan engines before the 3rd-stage compressor
wheels accumulate a specified number of cycles. The actions required by
AD 2020-16-13 address engines that experienced high stresses at the 3rd
stage compressor wheel location and accumulated cycles at a high rate.
The FAA now proposes to require removal of certain AE 2100D3 3rd-stage
compressor wheels that were produced in the same lot as the AE 3007
3rd-stage compressor wheels identified in AE 2020-16-13, before they
accumulate a specified number of cycles. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in uncontained release of the 3rd-stage
compressor wheel, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE
2100D3-A-72-330, Engine--3rd Stage Compressor Wheel Removal for Reduced
Life Limit, dated June 11, 2021. The ASB specifies procedures for
removal of a certain 3rd-stage compressor wheel.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require replacement of a certain 3rd-stage
compressor wheel before it accumulates a specified number of cycles.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 15 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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Remove and replace 3rd-stage 125 work-hours x $85 per $32,844 $43,469 $652,035
compressor wheel. hour = $10,625.
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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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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:
Rolls-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate previously held by Allison
Engine Company): Docket No. FAA-2021-0874; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00668-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 26, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100D3 model
turboprop engines with a 3rd-stage compressor wheel, part number (P/
N) 23084158, and with a serial number listed in Figure 1 to
paragraph (c) of this AD.
[[Page 56662]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP12OC21.000
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown of an engine
during a revenue flight and subsequent investigation by the
manufacturer that revealed a crack in the 3rd-stage compressor
wheel. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 3rd-
stage compressor wheel. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in an uncontained release of the 3rd-stage compressor
wheel, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Before the affected 3rd-stage compressor wheel exceeds 5,200
flight cycles since new, remove the affected 3rd-stage compressor
wheel and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(h) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, a part eligible for installation is
a 3rd-stage compressor wheel that does not have a P/N and a serial
number listed in the Applicability, paragraph (c) of this AD.
(i) Special Flight Permit
A special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to permit a one-time, non-revenue ferry flight to
a location where the engine can be removed from service. This ferry
flight must be performed with only essential flight crew.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Chicago ACO, 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
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
(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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kyri Zaroyiannis,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Chicago ACO, FAA, 2300 E Devon Avenue, Des
Plaines, IL 60018; phone: (847) 294-7836; fax: (847) 294-7834;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#167d6f647f386c7764796f7f7778787f655670777738717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f79c8e859ed98d9685988e9e9699999e84b7919696d9909881">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on October 5, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22091 Filed 10-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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