Proposed Rule2024-01976
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines
Primary source
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Published
February 1, 2024
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) Model Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking and separation of certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 1 blade assemblies. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections of affected LPT stage 1 blade assemblies for cracking or separation and, depending on the results of the inspections, reduction of the inspection interval or replacement of the LPT stage 1 blade set and disk. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of an LPT disk or blade set assembly unless it is considered a serviceable part, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 22 (Thursday, February 1, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6450-6452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01976]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0043; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00985-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
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) Model Trent 1000-A,
Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E,
Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H engines. This proposed AD was prompted
by reports of cracking and separation of certain low-pressure turbine
(LPT) stage 1 blade assemblies. This proposed AD would require initial
and repetitive inspections of affected LPT stage 1 blade assemblies for
cracking or separation and, depending on the results of the
inspections, reduction of the inspection interval or replacement of the
LPT stage 1 blade set and disk. This proposed AD would also prohibit
the installation of an LPT disk or blade set assembly unless it is
considered a serviceable part, as specified in a European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation
by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by March 18, 2024.
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="http://regulations.gov">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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0043; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221
8999 000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eeafaa9dae8b8f9d8fc08b9b9c819e8fc08b9b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89c8cdfac9ece8fae8a7ecfcfbe6f9e8a7ecfc">[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.
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#087b7d666f6567266c266b6067486e6969266f677e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3d0d6cdc4cecc8dc78dc0cbcce3c5c2c28dc4ccd5">[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-2024-0043; Project Identifier
MCAI-2023-00985-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="http://regulations.gov">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
Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which 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 2023-0165, dated August 22, 2023
(EASA AD 2023-0165) (also referred to as the MCAI), to address an
unsafe condition for all RRD Model Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent
1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and
Trent 1000-H engines. The MCAI states that manufacturer inspections
detected cracking and separation of blade pairs in the weld region of
certain LPT stage 1 blade assemblies. A blade assembly consists of a
pair of blades welded together at the outer shroud. There are 85 LPT
stage 1 blade assemblies in one set. Such cracking and separation could
cause failure of affected parts and damage to the LPT module.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0043.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0165, which specifies procedures for
inspection of affected LPT stage 1 blade assembly outer shrouds and
replacement of the LPT stage 1 blade set and disk. EASA AD 2023-0165
also specifies a reduction of the repetitive inspection intervals if
cracking or separation is detected and meets certain criteria. 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.
[[Page 6451]]
FAA's Determination
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 is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to
exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2023-0165 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed 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 EASA AD 2023-0165 by reference
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with EASA AD 2023-0165 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 the EASA AD does not
mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example,
where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions within the
compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited
to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in
EASA AD 2023-0165. Service information required by the EASA AD for
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-
2024-0043 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 28 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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Inspect LPT stage 1 blade outer 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 $9,520
shroud. 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
engines 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 LPT stage 1 blade set................. 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $466,480 $467,330
$850.
Replace LPT stage 1 disk...................... 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = 256,908 257,758
$850.
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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:
[[Page 6452]]
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2024-0043;
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00985-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 18, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model
Trent 1000; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Trent 1000-A, Trent
1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E,
Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking and separation of
certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 1 blade assemblies. The FAA
is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT stage 1 blades. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in high energy
debris release, damage to the airplane, and 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 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
2023-0165, dated August 22, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0165).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0165
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0165 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
2023-0165.
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0165 specifies discarding the removed LP turbine stage 1 blade set,
this AD requires removing the affected part from service.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0165 specifies to quarantine the removed LP turbine stage 1 rotor
disk, this AD requires removing the affected part from service.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0165
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 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 AIR-520 Continued
Operational Safety Branch, 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#3f7e717a127e7b127e72707c7f595e5e11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3879767d15797c157975777b785e5959165f574e">[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#3c4f49525b51531258125f54537c5a5d5d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7300061d141e1c5d175d101b1c331512125d141c05">[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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0165,
dated August 22, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2023-0165, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5f1e1b2c1f3a3e2c3e713a2a2d302f3e713a2a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="38797c4b785d594b59165d4d4a574859165d4d">[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 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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2543570b4c4b56554046514c4a4b654b4457440b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa9c88d49394898a9f998e939594ba949b889bd49d958c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 26, 2024.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-01976 Filed 1-31-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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