[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13727-13731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04808]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0179; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00125-E;
Amendment 39-21102; AD 2020-05-01]
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; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-
CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent
1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3,
Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 model turbofan engines. This AD
requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSI) of the
high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades. This AD also requires replacement
of HPT blades with parts eligible for installation when the HPT blades
fail inspection or reach the new life limit. This AD was prompted by
the manufacturer identifying that the HPT blades may fail prematurely.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 25, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 25,
2020.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 24, 2020.
[[Page 13728]]
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
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.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this final rule, contact
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, 15827 Blankenfelde-
Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 708 6 0; email: https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx. You may view this service information at the
FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2020-0179.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0179; 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), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Elwin, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-
238-7750; fax: 781-238-7236; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has
issued EASA AD 2019-0099R2, dated September 6, 2019 (referred to after
this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
In-service experience with Trent 1000 TEN engines has shown that
the affected parts may deteriorate, despite being subject to the
inspections and life limits as specified in the current Rolls-Royce
Time Limits Manual, T-Trent-10RRT, Chapters 05-10 and 05-20.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to HPT
blade failure, possibly resulting in engine in-flight shut-down
(IFSD) and consequent reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Rolls-Royce
developed instructions to de-pair engines with a certain number of
combined flight cycles (FC). In addition, an FC limit was determined
when one affected engine is installed. Finally, an on-wing borescope
inspection method has been introduced, and Rolls-Royce issued the
NMSB accordingly.
For the reasons described above, EASA issued AD 2019-0099 (later
revised) to require repetitive inspections of the affected parts to
detect axial cracking and, depending on findings, removal from
service of the engine for in-shop replacement of the affected parts.
That [EASA] AD also introduced de-pairing instructions and
limitations.
Since EASA AD 2019-0099R1 was issued, it was determined that,
since new blades must be installed (in-shop) as replacement, the
definition of `serviceable part' needs to be corrected.
Consequently, this [EASA] AD is revised accordingly, deleting
reference to used parts that passed an inspection.
This revised [EASA] AD is still considered to be an interim
action and further [EASA] AD action is expected.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0179.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB)
Trent 1000 72-AK316, Revision 3, dated July 16, 2019. The NMSB
describes procedures for performing a BSI of the HPT blades. 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 the ADDRESSES section.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed RR Service Bulletin (SB) Trent 1000 72-J550,
Initial Issue, dated November 21, 2017. The SB introduces HPT blades
with optimized cooling.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by EASA and is approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement
with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced
above. The FAA is issuing this AD because it 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires initial and repetitive BSI of the HPT blades. This
AD also requires replacement of the HPT blades with parts eligible for
installation when the HPT blades fail inspection or reach the new life
limit.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
The FAA has found the risk to the flying public justifies waiving
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because no domestic
operators use this product. It is unlikely that the FAA will receive
any adverse comments or useful information about this AD from U.S.
operators. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary. In addition, for
this same reason, the FAA finds that good cause exists for making this
amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views,
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2020-
0179 and Product Identifier MCAI-2019-00125-E at the beginning of your
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule 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
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact received about this final rule.
[[Page 13729]]
Confidential Business Information
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be
sent to Stephen Elwin, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this rulemaking.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects no 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 the HPT blades................. 4 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $340 $0
= $340.
Replace the HPT blade set.......... 1,250 work-hours x $85 per 1,871,100 1,977,350 0
hour = $106,250.
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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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of 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 (AD):
2020-05-01 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-21102; Docket No.
FAA-2020-0179; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00125-E.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 25, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG
(RRD) (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) Trent
1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-
H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3,
Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 model
turbofan engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the manufacturer identifying that the
high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades may fail prematurely. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT blades. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more
engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Before exceeding the compliance time specified in Table 1 to
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 50 HPT blade flight cycles (FCs) since the last inspection,
perform an on-wing borescope inspection (BSI) of the HPT blades,
part number (P/N) KH10575 (pre-mod/SB 72-J550), or P/N KH64485
(post-mod/SB 72-J550), for cracks.
[[Page 13730]]
(i) Use Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C., of RR Alert
NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK316, Revision 3, dated July 16, 2019, to
perform the BSI.
(ii) [Reserved]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10MR20.017
(2) Within 10 engine FCs after in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an
engine, perform an on-wing BSI of the HPT blades, P/N KH10575 (pre-
mod/SB 72-J550), or P/N KH64485 (post-mod/SB 72-J550), for cracks on
the not-affected (no IFSD) engine installed on that airplane.
(i) Use Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C., of RR Alert
NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK316, Revision 3, dated July 16, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) Remove the full set of HPT blades if any individual HPT
blade is found cracked during the on-wing BSI required by paragraph
(g)(1) or (2) and replace with a full HPT blade set eligible for
installation within the compliance time specified in Table 2 to
paragraph (g)(3) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10MR20.018
(4) Remove the full set of HPT blades, P/N KH10575 (pre-mod/SB
72-J550), or P/N KH64485 (post-mod/SB 72-J550), after the effective
date of this AD, as follows.
(i) Before accumulating 1,000 HPT blade FCs on any engine, or
(ii) Before both engines installed on the airplane accumulate a
combined total of 1,400 HPT blade FCs.
(h) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, ``HPT blade FCs'' are the FCs
accumulated by the engine since first flight, or since the last
installation of a full set of new HPT blades, whichever occurs
later.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for any initial or repetitive BSI of the HPT
blades required by paragraph (g) of this AD if you performed the
initial or repetitive BSI before the effective date of this AD using
RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK316, Revision 2, dated April 30, 2019,
or earlier versions.
(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
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You may email your
request to: [email protected].
(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 this AD, contact Stephen Elwin,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7750; fax: 781-238-7236; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2019-0099R2, dated September 6, 2019, for more information. You may
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No.
FAA-2020-0179.
(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 the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin
Trent 1000 72-AK316, Revision 3, dated July 16, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, 15827
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 708 6 0; email:
https://www.rolls-royce.com/contact-us.aspx.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and
Propeller Standards
[[Page 13731]]
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
(5) You may view this service information at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, email: [email protected],
or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 24, 2020.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-04808 Filed 3-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P