[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 8, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40873-40875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14601]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0638; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00308-E;
Amendment 39-21158; AD 2020-14-04]
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-A, Trent 1000-AE,
Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G,
and Trent 1000-H model turbofan engines. This AD requires removing and
replacing one or both affected engines, depending on whether the engine
pairing combinations are compliant or non-compliant, as described in
the service information. This AD was prompted by occurrences of in-
service engine surges on affected RRD Trent model turbofan engines with
a high number of intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) module flight
hours since new (HSN) or cycles since new (CSN). The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 23, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 23,
2020.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 24, 2020.
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, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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-2020-0638.
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-
0638; 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 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-
238-7236; fax: 781-238-7199; 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 2020-0010R2, dated March 4, 2020 (referred to after this
as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
Occurrences have been reported of engine surges on certain Trent
1000 engines, particularly those that have accumulated a high number
of flight hours (FH) and engine flight cycles (EFC). The
investigation into the cause(s) of these events is on-going. This
condition, if not corrected, could lead to a dual engine surge,
possibly resulting in a dual engine in-flight shut-down and
consequent reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Rolls-Royce
published the NMSB to provide de-pairing instructions, reducing the
risk of a dual surge event. Instructions for in-shop performance
recovery are being developed. Prompted by some errors detected in
Table 1 of the NMSB, Appendix 1 of this [EASA] AD must be used
instead. Rolls-Royce will revise the NMSB to correct those errors.
For the reasons described above, EASA issued AD 2020-0010 (later
revised) to require de-pairing of the affected engines.
Since EASA AD 2020-0010R1 was issued, Rolls-Royce issued NMSB
TRENT 1000 72-K494, providing instructions for in-shop action to
restore the surge margin. Embodiment of Part B of this NMSB allows
relaxation of the de-pairing actions as required by this [EASA] AD.
Rolls-Royce have revised NMSB TRENT 1000 72-AK468 accordingly,
including a new Table 1, defining de-pairing upper and lower
thresholds (pre- and post-NMSB 72-K494 embodied) and Table 2 (which
was Table 1 in the NMSB 72-AK468 at original issue) for de-pairing
when one engine has embodied Part B of NMSB TRENT 1000 72-K494, and
when both engines have embodied Part B of NMSB TRENT 1000 72-K494.
Consequently, this [EASA] AD is revised to include references to
NMSB TRENT 1000 72-K494 and to NMSB TRENT 1000 72-AK468 Revision 1,
and Table 2 thereof.
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-2020-0638.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification
Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK468, Revision 1, dated March 3,
2020. The Alert NMSB describes compliant and non-compliant engine
pairing combinations based on IPC module flight HSN or CSN. 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.
[[Page 40874]]
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K494, Initial Issue, dated
March 3, 2020. The NMSB describes procedures for the inspection,
repair, and replacement of specified IPC module components to restore
surge margin and recover IPC performance.
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. 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 removing and replacing one or both affected
engines, depending on whether the engine pairing combinations are
compliant or non-compliant, as described in the Accomplishment
Instructions of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK468, Revision 1, dated
March 3, 2020.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without seeking comment prior to the
rulemaking. Similarly, Section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to
make rules effective in less than 30 days, upon a finding of good
cause.
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-
0638 and Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00308-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.
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 final rule 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 final rule, 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 final rule. 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 0 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Remove and replace engine........... 48 work-hours x $85 per $0 $4,080 $0
hour = $4,080.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in our
estimate.
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
[[Page 40875]]
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 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):
2020-14-04 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate
previously held by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-21158; Docket No.
FAA-2020-0638; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00308-E.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective July 23, 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-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D,
Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H model turbofan engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by occurrences of in-service engine surges
on affected RRD Trent model turbofan engines with a high number of
intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) module flight hours since new
or cycles since new. Investigation by the manufacturer shows reduced
surge margin caused by IPC deterioration has led to in-service
engine surges. The FAA is issuing this AD to reduce the risk of a
dual-engine surge event. 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
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, remove and
replace one or both affected engines identified as ``Not Acceptable
De-pair required'' in paragraph 3, Accomplishment Instructions,
Table 2, ``Examples of compliant and non-compliant engine pairing
combinations,'' of Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification
Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK468, Revision 1, dated March
3, 2020.
(h) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any
aircraft, an engine pairing combination identified as ``Not
Acceptable De-pair required'' in paragraph 3, Accomplishment
Instructions, Table 2, ``Examples of compliant and non-compliant
engine pairing combinations,'' of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK468,
Revision 1, dated March 3, 2020.
(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
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j)(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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Stephen Elwin,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7236; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2020-0010R2, dated March 4, 2020, 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-2020-0638.
(k) 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-AK468, Revision 1, dated March 3, 2020.
(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, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on July 1, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14601 Filed 7-7-20; 8:45 am]
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