Rule2023-20485
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG Engines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 21, 2023
Effective
October 26, 2023
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) Model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on affected intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft balance lands. This AD requires repetitive on-wing or in-shop borescope inspections (BSIs) of the affected IPC rotor shaft balance land for cracks and replacement of any IPC rotor shaft if necessary and prohibits the installation of an affected IPC rotor shaft on any engine, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65118-65120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20485]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1212; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00423-E;
Amendment 39-22538; AD 2023-17-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG
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) Model RB211 Trent 768-60,
772-60, and 772B-60 engines. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks
on affected intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft balance
lands. This AD requires repetitive on-wing or in-shop borescope
inspections (BSIs) of the affected IPC rotor shaft balance land for
cracks and replacement of any IPC rotor shaft if necessary and
prohibits the installation of an affected IPC rotor shaft on any
engine, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 26, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 26,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No.FAA-2023-1212; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA service information identified in this final
rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1a5b5e695a7f7b697b347f6f68756a7b347f6f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8a9ac9ba88d899b89c68d9d9a879889c68d9d">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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 (817) 222-5110. It is
also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-1212.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-
7241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6112140f060c0e4f054f02090e210700004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f281879c959f9ddc96dc919a9db2949393dc959d84">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD Model RB211
Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on June 14, 2023 (88 FR 38759). The NPRM was prompted
by AD 2022-0055, dated March 23, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0055) (also
referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that
cracking on the IPC rotor shaft balance land has been historically
observed on RRD Model Trent 700 engines. To address this unsafe
condition, Rolls-Royce plc (RR) originally developed Modification 72-
AG402, which introduced a revised balancing method that removed the
original balancing weights from the IPC rotor shaft balance land and
published RR Service Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-
[[Page 65119]]
AG402 to provide instructions for an in-service modification. In
addition, RR published Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-
72-AG085, Revision 3, dated August 27, 2021, to provide instructions
for an in-shop eddy current inspection (ECI) of the IPC rotor shaft
balance land. Consequently, EASA issued EASA AD 2018-0049R2, dated
September 13, 2021 (EASA AD 2018-0049R2).
Since EASA issued EASA AD 2018-0049R2, RR determined that some RRD
Model Trent 700 engines (post-RR SB RB.211-72-AG402) were not inspected
in accordance with RR NMSB RB.211-72-AG085 during engine refurbishment
due to the policy applied previously from RR NMSB RB.211-72-AG085,
Revision 2. RR identified the affected batch of IPC rotor shaft balance
lands and published RR NMSB RB.211-72-AK706, Initial Issue, dated
November 24, 2021, which describes procedures to perform a BSI of the
IPC rotor shaft balance land until the in-shop ECI is accomplished in
accordance with RR NMSB RB.211-72-AG085. To address this, EASA issued
the MCAI.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require accomplishing the actions
specified in the MCAI described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1212.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These products 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 this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data 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, this AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0055, which specifies procedures for
performing repetitive on-wing or in-shop BSIs of the IPC rotor shaft
balance land and, if any discrepancies are detected, accomplishing the
applicable corrective actions or replacing the IPC rotor shaft. The
MCAI also specifies prohibiting the installation of an affected IPC
rotor shaft on any engine and that accomplishing an in-shop ECI of the
IPC rotor shaft balance land or replacing the IPC rotor shaft
constitutes as terminating action for the repetitive BSIs.
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 ADDRESSES.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
EASA AD 2022-0055 applies to RRD Model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60,
772B-60, and 772C-60 engines. This AD does not apply to RRD Model RB211
Trent 772C-60 engines, as this model engine does not have an FAA type
certificate.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 62 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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BSI of IPC rotor shaft balance land. 4.50 work-hours x $85 $0 $382.50 $23,715
per hour = $382.50.
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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
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace IPC rotor shaft...................... 50 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,120,000 $2,124,250
$4,250.
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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
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:
[[Page 65120]]
(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:
2023-17-12 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG Engines: Amendment
39-22538; Docket No. FAA-2023-1212; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
00423-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 26, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG Model
RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the intermediate-
pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft balance land. The FAA is
issuing this AD to detect cracks on the IPC rotor shaft balance
land. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to IPC
rotor shaft failure and consequent uncontained high-energy debris,
possibly resulting in damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD:
Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified
in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD
2022-0055, dated March 23, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0055).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0055
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0055 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD
2022-0055.
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-
0055 specifies to use certain tooling, equivalent tooling may be
used.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0055
specifies to notify the manufacturer or supply pictures to the
manufacturer of any cracks, dents, or nicks, this AD does not
include that requirement.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 certification office,
send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)
of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c1d1219711d18711d11131f1c3a3d3d723b332a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f2b3bcb7dfb3b6dfb3bfbdb1b2949393dc959d84">[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) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: (781) 238-7241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d8abadb6bfb5b7f6bcf6bbb0b798beb9b9f6bfb7ae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="16656378717b79387238757e795670777738717960">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0055,
dated March 23, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022-0055, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5415102714313527357a3121263b24357a3121"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="79383d0a391c180a18571c0c0b160918571c0c">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) 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 (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information 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#3c5a4e1255524f4c595f485553527c525d4e5d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fe988cd097908d8e9b9d8a979190be909f8c9fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on September 18, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-20485 Filed 9-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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