Federal Register: August 13, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 156)
DOCID: fr13au10-5 FR Doc 2010-18730
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39
Docket ID: [Docket No. FAA-2010-0748; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-13-AD; Amendment 39-16384; AD 2010-16-07]
RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64
NOTICE: RULES
DOCID: fr13au10-5
ACTION: Airworthiness Directives:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 900 Series Turbofan Engines
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 17, 2010.
We must receive comments on this AD by September 13, 2010.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of RollsRoyce Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.21172AG329, Revision 1, dated January 13, 2010, listed in the AD as of September 17, 2010.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Wear, beyond Engine Manual limits, has been identified on the abutment faces of the splines on the Trent 900 Intermediate Pressure (IP) shaft rigid coupling on several engines during strip. The shaft to coupling spline interface provides the means of controlling the turbine axial setting and wear through of the splines would permit the IP turbine to move rearwards.
Rearward movement of the IP turbine would enable contact with
static turbine components and would result in loss of engine
performance with potential for inflight shut down, oil migration
and oil fire below the LP turbine discs prior to sufficient indication resulting in loss of LP turbine disc integrity.
We are issuing this AD to detect rearward movement of the IP turbine,
which could result in loss of disc integrity, an uncontained failure of
the engine, and damage to the airplane.
SUMMARY:
Airbus Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R Series Airplanes; et al.,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 20100008, dated January 15, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
Wear, beyond Engine Manual limits, has been identified on the abutment faces of the splines on the Trent 900 Intermediate Pressure (IP) shaft rigid coupling on several engines during strip. The shaft to coupling spline interface provides the means of controlling the turbine axial setting and wear through of the splines would permit the IP turbine to move rearwards.
Rearward movement of the IP turbine would enable contact with static turbine components and would result in loss of engine performance with potential for inflight shut down, oil migration and oil fire below the LP turbine discs prior to sufficient indication resulting in loss of LP turbine disc integrity.
This AD requires inspection of the IP shaft coupling splines
and, depending on the results, requires further repetitive inspections or corrective actions.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
RollsRoyce plc has issued RB211 Trent 900 Series Propulsion
Systems Alert NMSB RB.21172AG329, Revision 1, dated January 13, 2010.
The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the
[[Page 49369]]
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the United Kingdom, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by the United Kingdom, and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since no domestic operators use this product, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary. Therefore, we are adopting this regulation immediately.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA20100748; Directorate Identifier 2010NE13AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 1947778). 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.
We are 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
We determined that 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;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
20101607 RollsRoyce plc (RR): Amendment 3916384.; Docket No. FAA20100748; Directorate Identifier 2010NE13AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 17, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to RR model RB211Trent 97084, 970B84,
97284, 972B84, 97784, 977B84, and 98084 turbofan engines. These
engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A380 series airplanes.
Reason
(d) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 20100008, dated January 15, 2010, states:
Wear, beyond Engine Manual limits, has been identified on the abutment faces of the splines on the Trent 900 Intermediate Pressure (IP) shaft rigid coupling on several engines during strip. The shaft to coupling spline interface provides the means of controlling the turbine axial setting and wear through of the splines would permit the IP turbine to move rearwards.
Rearward movement of the IP turbine would enable contact with static turbine components and would result in loss of engine performance with potential for inflight shut down, oil migration and oil fire below the LP turbine discs prior to sufficient indication resulting in loss of LP turbine disc integrity.
We are issuing this AD to detect rearward movement of the IP turbine, which could result in loss of disc integrity, an
uncontained failure of the engine, and damage to the airplane. Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
OnWing Borescope Inspection
(1) Inspect the IP shaft coupling splines using section 3.A of
RR RB211 Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems Alert NonModification
Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.21172AG329, Revision 1, dated January
13, 2010, before accumulating 400 cyclessincenew or within 150
cyclesinservice (CIS) after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) If the coupling, P/N FW33264, was replaced with a new
coupling, P/N FW33264, during any shop visit, then you may use the
life since that shop visit in place of engine time since new to establish the inspection threshold.
(3) Use the inspection results and actions compliance times or
specified in Table 1 of this AD to disposition the engine or to determine the interval for the repetitive inspections.
[[Page 49370]]
Table 1OnWing Borescope InspectionFurther Action and Repetitive Inspection Intervals
Condition measured spline
crest in accordance with Compliance time/
section 3.A of RollsRoyce repetitive interval
alert NMSB RB.21172AG329, Action (not to exceed)
Revision 1, dated January flight cycles since
13, 2010, is: last inspection
(i) Less than 0.5 mm with no Remove the engine... Before next flight. material remaining.
(ii) Less than 0.5 mm with Remove the engine... Within 10 flight
some material remaining. cycles.
(iii) Equal to or more than Repeat inspection... Within 50 flight
0.5 mm but less than 1 mm. cycles.
(iv) Equal to or more than 1 Repeat inspection... Within 100 flight
mm but less than 1.5 mm. cycles.
(v) Equal to or more than Repeat inspection... Within 200 flight
1.5 mm but less than 2 mm. cycles.
(vi) Equal to or more than 2 Repeat inspection... Within 300 flight
mm but less than 2.4 mm. cycles.
(vii) Equal to or more than Repeat inspection... Within 400 flight
2.4 mm. cycles.
Note 1: The nominal unworn dimension of the spline crest is 2.65 mm.
InShop Replacement and Inspection
(4) At the next shop visit after the effective date of this AD perform the following:
(i) Replace any IP shaft coupling that was previously borescope
inspected in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD and put on
a reduced reinspection interval in accordance with paragraphs (e)(3)(i) through (e)(3)(vii) of this AD.
(ii) Inspect all other IP shaft coupling splines using
paragraphs 3.B.(2) or 3.B.(3) of RR RB211 Trent 900 Series
Propulsion Systems Alert NMSB RB.21172AG329, Revision 1, dated January 13, 2010.
Definitions
(5) For the purposes of this AD, a shop visit is the induction
of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the separation
of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that the separation
of engine flanges solely for the purposes of transportation without
subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine shop visit.
FAA AD Differences
(f) None.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 20100008, dated January 15, 2010, for related information.
(i) Contact Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: ian.dargin@faa.gov;
telephone (781) 2387178; fax (781) 2387199, for more information about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use RollsRoyce RB211 Trent 900 Series Propulsion
Systems Alert NonModification Service Bulletin RB.21172AG329
Revision 1, dated January 13, 2010 to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
RollsRoyce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 044 1332 242424; fax 044 1332 249936.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 7416030, or go
to: http://www.archives.gov/federalregister/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 26, 2010. Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 201018730 Filed 81210; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park; Burlington, MA 01803; email:
ian.dargin@faa.gov; telephone (781) 2387178; fax (781) 2387199.