[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77778-77780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31066]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-ANE-33-AD; Amendment 39-12033; AD 2000-24-26]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 800 Series
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 800 series
turbofan engines, that currently requires initial and repetitive
ultrasonic inspections of fan blade roots for cracks, and replacement,
if necessary, with serviceable parts. This amendment requires the
reduction of the initial cyclic compliance threshold and repetitive
inspection intervals. This amendment also allows inspections to be
accomplished within 100 cycles-in-service if the initial or repetitive
thresholds are exceeded on the effective date of this AD. This
amendment is prompted by an improved understanding of the crack
propagation mechanism and the latest service operational data. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and prevent fan
blade failure, which could result in multiple fan blade releases,
uncontained engine failure, and possible damage to the airplane.
DATES: Effective February 12, 2001. The incorporation by reference of
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the
Director of the Federal Register as of February 12, 2001.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Rolls-Royce North America, Inc., 2001 South Tibbs Ave.,
Indianapolis, IN 46241; telephone: (317) 230-3995, fax: (317) 230-4743.
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Woldan, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone: (781)
238-7136, fax: (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-19-21,
Amendment 39-10762 (63 FR 50484, September 22, 1998, corrected by 63 FR
52961, October 2, 1998), applicable to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent
800 series turbofan engines, was published in the Federal Register on
December 3, 1999 (64 FR 67806). That action proposed to require the
reduction of initial compliance thresholds and repetitive cyclic
inspection intervals. The action also proposed the allowance for
inspections to be accomplished within 100 cycles-in-service if the
initial or repetitive thresholds are exceeded on the effective date of
the AD.
Comments Received
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the one comment received.
Request To Revise Economic Analysis
The comment states that all RR Trent 800 series engines on the US
registry that will be affected by the AD have already been modified to
RR Service Bulletin RB.211-72-C629. Therefore, the estimate of the
total cost impact of the proposed action on US operators is zero.
The FAA disagrees. Although some Trent 800 series engines on US
registered airplanes may have already been modified to RR Service
Bulletin RB.211-72-C629 and the actual cost may be reduced, the
original economic analysis is retained.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Regulatory Impact
This rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in
Executive Order (EO) 13132, because it does 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. Accordingly,
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication
of this rule.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under EO 12866; (2) is not a
``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44
FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final
evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
[[Page 77779]]
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends part 39
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-10762 (63 FR
50484, September 22, 1998) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
Amendment 39-12033, to read as follows:
AD 2000--24-26 Rolls-Royce plc.: Amendment 39-12033. Docket 98-ANE-
33-AD. Supersedes AD 98-19-21, Amendment 39-10762.
Applicability: Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 875, RB211 Trent
877, RB211 Trent 884, RB211 Trent 892, and RB211 Trent 892B series
turbofan engines, except if the fan blades described in RR Service
Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-C629 were installed as complete sets. These
engines are installed on but not limited to Boeing 777 series
airplanes.
Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with
paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific
proposed actions to address it.
Compliance
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fan blade failure, which could result in multiple fan
blade releases, uncontained engine failure, and possible damage to
the airplane, accomplish the following:
Ultrasonic Inspections (Reduced Thresholds and Repetitive Intervals)
(a) Perform initial and repetitive inspections of fan blade
roots for cracks, in accordance with RR SB No. RB211-72-C445,
Revision 6, dated September 3, 1999, as follows:
(1) For Trent 875 series engines, inspect as follows:
(i) Initially, prior to accumulating 3,000 cycles-since-new
(CSN).
(ii) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 400 cycles-in-
service (CIS) since last inspection.
(2) For Trent 877 series engines, inspect as follows:
(i) Initially, prior to accumulating 2,000 CSN.
(ii) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 350 CIS since last
inspection.
(3) For Trent 884 series engines, inspect as follows:
(i) Initially, prior to accumulating 1,500 CSN.
(ii) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 350 CIS since last
inspection.
(4) For Trent 892 and 892B series engines, inspect as follows:
(i) Initially, prior to accumulating 900 CSN.
(ii) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 200 CIS since last
inspection.
Engines Exceeding Thresholds and Repetitive Intervals
(5) For engines that exceed the initial inspection thresholds
listed in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i), (a)(3)(i), and (a)(4)(i)
on the effective date of this AD, conduct initial inspection within
100 CIS after the effective date of this AD.
(6) For engines that exceed the repetitive inspection intervals
listed in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii), (a)(2)(ii), (a)(3)(ii), and
(a)(4)(ii) on the effective date of this AD, inspect within 100 CIS
after the effective date of this AD.
Cracked Parts
(7) Prior to further flight, remove from service cracked fan
blades and replace with serviceable parts.
Alternate Method of Compliance
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office (ECO).
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, ECO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the ECO.
Ferry Flights
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the inspection requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference Material
(d) The actions required by this AD must be done in accordance
with the following Rolls-Royce SB:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document No. Pages Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RB.211-72-C445................... 1-9...................... 6....................... September 3, 1999.
Appendix 1....................... 1........................ Original................ February 13, 1998.
2........................ 6....................... September 3, 1999.
3-4...................... Original................ February 13, 1998.
Appendix 2....................... 1........................ Revision 4.............. November 6, 1998.
2-3...................... Original................ February 13, 1998.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 77780]]
Total pages: 16.
The incorporations by reference were approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Rolls-Royce North America,
Inc., 2001 South Tibbs Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46241; telephone:
(317) 230-3995; fax: (317) 230-4743. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,
Washington, DC.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on February 12, 2001.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 30, 2000.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-31066 Filed 12-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U