Proposed Rule2021-24931
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines
Primary source
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Published
November 16, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) RB211 Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by findings during engine overhaul of corrosion on the low-pressure compressor (LPC) front case assembly. This proposed AD would require inspection of the LPC front case assembly and, depending on the result of the inspection, accomplishment of the applicable corrective action(s), as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 218 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63319-63322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24931]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1004; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00480-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 all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) RB211 Trent 875-17,
877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 model turbofan
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by findings during engine
overhaul of corrosion on the low-pressure compressor (LPC) front case
assembly. This proposed AD would require inspection of the LPC front
case assembly and, depending on the result of the inspection,
accomplishment of the applicable corrective action(s), as specified in
a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed
for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 January 3,
2022.
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 material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a7e6e3d4e7c2c6d4c689c2d2d5c8d7c689c2d2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7e3f3a0d3e1b1f0d1f501b0b0c110e1f501b0b">[email protected]</span></a>. For RRD service information identified
in this NPRM, contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O.
Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: +44 (0)1332 242424;
fax: +44 (0)1332 249936; website: <a href="https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx">https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx</a>. You may view this material 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. The EASA material is also available at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-1004.
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-2021-1004; 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 EASA AD,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Paine, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238-7116; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ff91969c9790939e8cd195d18f9e96919abf999e9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="523c3b313a3d3e33217c387c22333b3c37123433337c353d24">[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-2021-1004; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-00480-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
[[Page 63320]]
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 Nicholas Paine, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that the FAA
receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0114, dated April 23, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0114), to correct an unsafe condition for certain RRD
RB211 Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-
17 model turbofan engines.
This proposed AD was prompted by findings during engine overhaul of
corrosion on the LPC front case assembly caused by excessive movement
between the Kevlar wrap and the fan case, which resulted in the anti-
corrosion paint fretting away. The FAA is proposing this AD to address
corrosion on the LPC front case assembly. This condition, if not
addressed, could affect the containment integrity of the LPC front case
assembly during a fan blade release event, resulting in damage to the
airplane, or reduced control of the airplane.
See EASA AD 2021-0114 for additional background information.
FAA's Determination
These engines have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design
Authority, the FAA has been notified about the unsafe condition
described in the EASA AD referenced in this AD. 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 Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2021-0114. EASA AD 2021-0114 specifies
actions for inspecting the LPC front case assembly and, depending on
the result of the inspection, corrective action. This material is
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in
ADDRESSES.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent 800 Series Propulsion
Systems Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AG774,
Revision 4, dated October 13, 2020 (the NMSB). The NMSB specifies
procedures for inspecting the LPC front case assembly for corrosion and
taking corrective action.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2021-0114, described previously, as incorporated by
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD and except as discussed under
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the EASA AD.''
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a
process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information
for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has
since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation
authorities (CAAs) to use this process. As a result, the FAA proposes
to incorporate EASA AD 2021-0114 in the FAA final rule. This proposed
AD would require compliance with EASA AD 2021-0114 in its entirety
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common
terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA
AD 2021-0114 does not mean that operators need comply only with that
section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required
actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is
not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance
Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2021-0114. Service information specified by EASA
AD 2021-0114 that is required for compliance with it will be available
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-1004 after the FAA final rule is published.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
Qualified Shop Visit
EASA AD 2021-0114 defines a qualified shop visit as any scheduled
shop visit where the affected part is exposed and substantial rebuild
has not yet started, except shop visits for serviceability only. This
proposed AD defines a qualified shop visit as the induction of an
engine into the shop after the effective date of this AD for
maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major mating engine
flanges, with the exception of the separation of engine flanges solely
for the purposes of transportation of the engine without subsequent
engine maintenance.
Effective Date
Where EASA AD 2021-0114 requires compliance from its effective
date, this proposed AD would require using the effective date of this
AD.
Compliance
Where the service information referred to in EASA AD 2021-0114
specifies to inspect the affected part and contact the manufacturer for
repair instructions if any corrosion is found exceeding the criteria as
specified in the NMSB, this AD requires the removal of the affected LPC
front case assembly from service if corrosion is found that exceeds the
criteria specified in Appendix 2 of the NMSB.
Remarks
This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' section of
EASA AD 2020-0114.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 98 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. Registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
[[Page 63321]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Perform ultrasonic inspection......... 8 work-hours x $85 per $0 $680 $66,640
hour = $680.
Rework the LPC front case assembly.... 200 work-hours x $85 per 18,724 35,724 3,500,952
hour = $17,000.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the LPC front case assembly........... 140 work-hours x $85 per hour = $932,000 $943,900
$11,900.
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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 Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate previously
held by Rolls-Royce plc): Docket No. FAA-2021-1004; Project
Identifier MCAI-2021-00480-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 3, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD)
(Type Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) RB211 Trent
875-17, RB211 Trent 877-17, RB211 Trent 884-17, RB211 Trent 884B-17,
RB211 Trent 892-17, RB211 Trent 892B-17, and RB211 Trent 895-17
model turbofan engines, as identified in EASA AD 2021-0114, dated
April 23, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0114).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by findings during engine overhaul of
corrosion on the low-pressure compressor (LPC) front case assembly
caused by excessive movement between the Kevlar wrap and the fan
case, which resulted in the anti-corrosion paint fretting away. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address corrosion on the LPC front case
assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
reduced integrity of the LPC front case assembly during a fan blade
release, resulting in damage to the airplane or reduced control of
the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0114.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0114
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0114 requires compliance from its
effective date, this proposed AD would require using the effective
date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0114 defines a qualified shop visit as
any scheduled shop visit where the affected part is exposed and
substantial rebuild has not yet started, this AD defines a qualified
shop visit as the induction of an engine into the shop after the
effective date of this AD for maintenance involving the separation
of pairs of major mating engine flanges, with the exception of the
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation of the engine without subsequent engine maintenance,
which does not constitute an engine shop visit.
(3) Where the service information referred to in EASA AD 2021-
0114 specifies to contact the manufacturer for repair instructions
if any corrosion is found exceeding the criteria as specified in the
NMSB, this AD requires the removal of the affected LPC front case
assembly from service if corrosion is found that exceeds the
criteria specified in Appendix 2 of the NMSB.
[[Page 63322]]
(4) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks''
section of EASA AD 2021-0114.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0114
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) 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 (k)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8f9f6fd95f9fc95f9f5f7fbf8ded9d996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="df9e919af29e9bf29e92909c9fb9bebef1b8b0a9">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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
(1) For more information about EASA AD 2021-0114, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e1a0a592a184809280cf8494938e9180cf8494"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e1a0a592a184809280cf8494938e9180cf8494">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on the
EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>. You may view this
material 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. This material may be found in the AD docket at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-1004.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Nicholas Paine,
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7116; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d43444e4542414c5e0347035d4c4443486d4b4c4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ea8483898285868b99c480c49a8b83848faa8c8b8bc48d859c">[email protected]</span></a>.
(3) For RRD service information identified in this AD, contact
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24
8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: +44 (0)1332 242424; fax: +44 (0)1332
249936; website: <a href="https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx">https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx</a>. You
may view this material 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.
Issued on November 9, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24931 Filed 11-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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