Rule2022-10755
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
May 19, 2022
Effective
June 23, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting 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 AD was prompted by findings during engine overhaul of corrosion on the low-pressure compressor (LPC) front case assembly. This AD requires 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 incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 97 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 97 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30411-30413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10755]
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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;
Amendment 39-22030; AD 2022-09-10]
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: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting 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 AD was prompted by findings during engine overhaul of corrosion on
the low-pressure compressor (LPC) front case assembly. This AD requires
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 incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 23, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 23,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference 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#79383d0a391c180a18571c0c0b160918571c0c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aeefeaddeecbcfddcf80cbdbdcc1decf80cbdb">[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. It 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. 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>.
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 final rule, the
EASA AD, any comments received, and other information. The address for
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
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#7a1413191215161b095410540a1b13141f3a1c1b1b541d150c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f29c9b919a9d9e9381dc98dc82939b9c97b2949393dc959d84">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 address 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.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to RRD RB211 Trent 875-17,
877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 model turbofan
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 16,
2021 (86 FR 63319). The NPRM 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. In the NPRM, the
FAA proposed to require the performance of all required actions within
the compliance times specified in, and in accordance with EASA AD 2021-
0114, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this AD and except as discussed under ``Differences
Between this Proposed AD and the EASA AD.'' The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products. See EASA AD 2021-
0114 for additional background information.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from three commenters. The commenters
were American Airlines (American), The Boeing Company (Boeing), and
Rolls-Royce plc (RR). The following presents the comments received on
the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Revise Applicability
American requested that the FAA revise paragraph (c),
Applicability, of this AD to replace ``as identified in EASA AD 2021-
0114'' with ``RB211 Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17,
892B-17 and 895-17 engines with Low Pressure (LP) Compressor front
(fan) case assemblies having Part Number (P/N) FK33097, P/N FK26850, P/
N FK26853, P/N FK26915, P/N FK26692 or P/N FK28577.'' American stated
that certain engines identified in the EASA AD applicability section
have already performed rework on the LPC front case assembly to provide
additional corrosion protection using RR RB211 Trent 800 Series
Propulsion Systems Service Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-G634
[[Page 30412]]
(RR SB RB.211-72-G634) or RR RB211 Trent 800 Series Propulsion Systems
SB RB.211-72-G856 (RR SB RB.211-72-G856) and the LPC front case
assembly subsequently received a new P/N. American explained that, in
addition to the new LPC front case assembly introduced by RR SB RB.211-
72-G581, the new reworked LPC front case assembly P/Ns are not
identified in the affected part list of the EASA AD.
The FAA disagrees with revising paragraph (c), Applicability of
this AD. Paragraph (c) lists engines affected by this AD and refers to
EASA AD 2021-0114, which identifies the affected P/Ns of the LPC front
case assemblies. The Credit paragraph (4) in EASA AD 2021-0114
provides, ``Corrective action(s) on an engine, accomplished in
accordance with the instructions of Rolls-Royce SB RB.211-72-G634 or SB
RB.211-72-G856, are acceptable to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (2) of this [EASA] AD for that engine.'' The FAA notes that
this AD requires compliance with EASA AD 2021-0114 in its entirety,
including any credit for previous actions. The FAA did not change this
AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Revise Exceptions to EASA AD Paragraph
RR requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h)(3) of this AD to
ensure consistency with the Credit paragraph in EASA AD 2021-0114 or to
provide an alternative means to accomplish the same intent. RR
explained that the service information cited in EASA AD 2021-0114
requires inspecting the affected part and contacting the manufacturer
for repair instructions if corrosion exceeds the criteria in RR Alert
Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G774. RR also
explained that the NPRM proposed to require the removal of an affected
LPC front case assembly if corrosion exceeds the criteria in RR Alert
NMSB RB.211-72-G774. RR noted that this difference is inconsistent with
the Credit paragraph of the EASA AD.
In response to this comment the FAA has revised paragraph (h)(3) of
this AD to include a repair option for the LPC front case assembly in
lieu of removal. This revision allows operators to repair the affected
LPC front case assembly using a method approved by the Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Rolls-Royce's EASA
Design Organization Approval (DOA). The FAA has also updated the
Estimated Costs section of this preamble to include the estimated costs
for repairing the LPC front case assembly.
Support for the AD
Boeing expressed support for the AD as written.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes and an
update to the language in paragraph (h)(3), this AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic
burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2021-0114. EASA AD 2021-0114 specifies
instructions 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 NMSB 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 98 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
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
replacement or repair that would be required based on the results of
the inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this replacement or repair:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace the LPC front case assembly........... 140 work-hours x $85 per hour = $932,000 $943,900
$11,900.
Repair the LPC front case assembly............ 200 work-hours x $85 per hour = 18,724 35,724
$17,000.
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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
[[Page 30413]]
develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
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 that this AD:
(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 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2022-09-10 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate
previously held by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-22030; Docket No.
FAA-2021-1004; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00480-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 23, 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 AD requires 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, except shop visits for
serviceability only,'' for this AD replace that phrase with ``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 paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0114 specifies ``if,
during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any
corrosion is found exceeding the criteria as specified in the NMSB,
before release to service of the engine, contact Rolls-Royce for
approved repair instructions and accomplish those instructions
accordingly,'' for this AD replace that phrase with ``remove the
affected LPC front case assembly from service if corrosion is found
that exceeds the criteria specified in Appendix 2 of the NMSB.'' In
lieu of removal of the affected LPC front case assembly, operators
may repair the affected LPC front case assembly using a method
approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or
EASA; or Rolls-Royce's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature.
(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) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c1808f84ec8085ec808c8e8281a7a0a0efa6aeb7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dccc3c8a0ccc9a0ccc0c2cecdebececa3eae2fb">[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
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#d8b6b1bbb0b7b4b9abf6b2f6a8b9b1b6bd98beb9b9f6bfb7ae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e00070d0601020f1d4004401e0f07000b2e080f0f40090118">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0114,
dated April 23, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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#f4b5b087b491958795da9181869b8495da9181"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e2f2a1d2e0b0f1d0f400b1b1c011e0f400b1b">[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>.
(4) 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-2021-1004.
(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91f7e3bff8ffe2e1f4f2e5f8feffd1fff0e3f0bff6fee7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9cfdb87c0c7dad9cccaddc0c6c7e9c7c8dbc887cec6df">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on May 13, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-10755 Filed 5-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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