Proposed Rule2022-04276
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
March 1, 2022
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) Trent 7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by in-service experience showing that certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades may prematurely deteriorate to an unacceptable condition when managed in accordance with the inspection intervals in the Time Limits Manual (TLM). This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive on- wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of the HPT blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT blade set, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also require replacement of the HPT blade set before exceeding a specified number of flight cycles. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11355-11358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04276]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0150; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00839-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) Trent 7000-72 and
Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by
in-service experience showing that certain high-pressure turbine (HPT)
blades may prematurely deteriorate to an unacceptable condition when
managed in accordance with the inspection intervals in the Time Limits
Manual (TLM). This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive on-
wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of the HPT blades to detect axial
cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement
of the HPT blade set, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference
(IBR). This proposed AD would also require replacement of the HPT blade
set before exceeding a specified number of flight cycles. 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 April 15,
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#3071744370555143511e5545425f40511e5545"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e5a4a196a580849684cb8090978a9584cb8090">[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>. For Rolls-Royce 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 (817) 222-5110. It is
also available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0150. For the material identified in this
AD that is not incorporated by reference, 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>.
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-2022-0150; 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#a3cdcac0cbcccfc2d08dc98dd3c2cacdc6e3c5c2c28dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8be5e2e8e3e4e7eaf8a5e1a5fbeae2e5eecbedeaeaa5ece4fd">[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-2022-0150; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-00839-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.
[[Page 11356]]
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
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 2021-0169, dated July 19, 2021 (EASA
AD 2021-0169), to address an unsafe condition for all RRD Trent 7000-72
and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines.
This proposed AD was prompted by in-service experience showing that
certain HPT blades may prematurely deteriorate to an unacceptable
condition when managed in accordance with the inspection intervals in
the TLM. The manufacturer has issued Rolls-Royce (RR) Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK449, Revision 2,
dated July 5, 2021 (the Alert NMSB) specifying procedures for
performing initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the HPT blades to
detect axial cracking. The Alert NMSB also specifies procedures for
removing the engine from service to replace the HPT blade set before
exceeding a specified number of flight cycles. The compliance time for
the initial and repetitive BSIs of the HPT blades proposed by this AD
meet the TLM inspection intervals for HPT blade, part number KH64485.
The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT blades. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-
flight shutdown, and loss of the airplane. See EASA AD 2021-0169 for
additional background information.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is 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. The FAA is issuing this NPRM because the agency 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.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2021-0169. EASA AD 2021-0169 specifies
instructions for performing initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the
HPT blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of
the inspections, removal from service of the engine for in-shop
replacement of the HPT blade set. EASA AD 2021-0169 also specifies
instructions for replacing HPT blades with a new HPT blade set before
exceeding a specified number of flight cycles.
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 RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK449, Revision 2,
dated July 5, 2021. This Alert NMSB specifies procedures for performing
initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the HPT blades to detect axial
cracking. The Alert NMSB also specifies procedures for removing the
engine to replace the HPT blade set before exceeding a specified number
of flight cycles.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2021-0169, 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 developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since
coordinated with other manufacturers and CAAs to use this process. As a
result, the FAA proposes to incorporate by reference EASA AD 2021-0169
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with EASA AD 2021-0169 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 2021-0169
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 2021-0169. Service information specified by EASA AD 2021-0169
for compliance will be available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0150 after the FAA final
rule is published.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
Where EASA AD 2021-0169 requires compliance from its effective
date, this proposed AD would require using the effective date of this
AD. This proposed AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks''
section of EASA AD 2021-0169.
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action.
If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider additional
rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 16 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. Registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
[[Page 11357]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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BSI HPT Blades........................ 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 $5,440
hour = $340.
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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 agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft 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 HPT Blade Set......................... 16 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,001,780 $2,003,140
$1,360.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
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-2022-0150; Project
Identifier MCAI-2021-00839-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 15, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (Type
Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) Trent 7000-72 and
Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine
Engine Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by in-service experience showing that
certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades may prematurely
deteriorate to an unacceptable condition when managed in accordance
with the inspection intervals defined in the Time Limits Manual. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT blades. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the
engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2021-0169,
dated July 19, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0169).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0169
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0169 requires compliance from its
effective date, this proposed AD would require using the effective
date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not require compliance with the ``Remarks''
section of EASA AD 2021-0169.
(i) 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 (j)(2) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#40010e056d01046d010d0f03002621216e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5918171c74181d741814161a193f3838773e362f">[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.
[[Page 11358]]
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about EASA AD 2021-0169, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4405003704212537256a2131362b34256a2131"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e0a1a493a085819381ce8595928f9081ce8595">[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
(817) 222-5110. 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-2022-0150.
(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#67090e040f080b0614490d4917060e09022701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="27494e444f484b4654094d0957464e49426741464609404851">[email protected]</span></a>.
(3) For 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 (817) 222-5110.
Issued on February 24, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-04276 Filed 2-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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