[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5162-5165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-826]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-23031; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-41-AD;
Amendment 39-14467; AD 2006-03-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 553-61,
553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61,
556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines.
This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections for
missing HPT rear seal plate locking plugs and damaged locking plug
retaining wires, and removal of the engine from service if necessary,
based on inspection results. This AD results from two reports of
missing HPT rear seal plate locking plugs, damage to the HPT disc, and
damage to the remaining locking plug retaining wires. We are issuing
this AD to prevent uncontained release of the HPT rear side plate and
HPT disc, resulting in damage to the airplane.
DATES: Effective February 16, 2006. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the regulations as of February 16, 2006.
We must receive any comments on this AD by April 3, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE248BJ; UK,
telephone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936, for the service
information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park; telephone (781) 238-7175;
fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is
the
[[Page 5163]]
airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom (U.K.), notified us that
an unsafe condition may exist on RR RB211 Trent 500 series turbofan
engines that have not incorporated RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-
72-E767. The CAA advises that during shop visit, some engines were
noticed to be missing some of the HPT turbine rear seal plate locking
plugs. This resulted in scoring of the HPT disc rear diaphragm and
impact damage to the remaining locking plug retaining wires, and could
have led to release of the HPT rear seal plate and reduced low-cycle-
fatigue life of the HPT disc.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of RR Alert SB
No. RB.211-72-AE358, Revision 3, dated July 13, 2005, that describes
procedures for borescope inspecting the HPT rear seal plate locking
plugs and locking plug retaining wires. The CAA classified this as a
mandatory SB and issued AD G-2005-0007 R1, dated July 11, 2005, in
order to ensure the airworthiness of these RB211 Trent 500 series
turbofan engines in the U.K.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
These RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61,
556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 series turbofan engines are manufactured
in the U.K. and are type certificated for operation in the United
States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness
agreement. Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA kept
the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have examined the
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
Although no airplanes that are registered in the United States use
these engines, the possibility exists that the engines could be used on
airplanes that are registered in the United States in the future. The
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on
other RR RB211 Trent 500 series turbofan engines of the same type
design. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained release of the
HPT rear side plate and HPT disc, resulting in damage to the airplane.
This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections for
missing HPT rear seal plate locking plugs and damaged locking plug
retaining wires. This AD also requires removing engines from service
based on the number of HPT locking plugs with acceptable locking plug
retaining wires installed. You must use the service information
described previously to perform the actions required by this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since there are currently no domestic operators of this engine
model, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD
are unnecessary. A situation exists that allows the immediate adoption
of this regulation.
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, we invite you to send us any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2005-23031;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-41-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.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 DMS Web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including 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 19477-78) or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management
Facility Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800)
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
the DMS receives them.
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 have 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 that the regulation:
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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
[[Page 5164]]
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:
2006-03-03 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-14467. Docket No. FAA-2005-
23031; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-41-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February
16, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61,
553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61
turbofan engines that have not incorporated RR Service Bulletin (SB)
No. RB.211-72-E767. These engines are installed on, but not limited
to, Airbus A340-500 and -600 series airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from two reports of missing HPT rear seal
plate locking plugs, damage to the HPT disc, and damage to the
remaining locking plug retaining wires. We are issuing this AD to
prevent uncontained release of the HPT rear side plate and HPT disc,
resulting in damage to the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Initial Borescope Inspection
(f) Borescope-inspect for missing HPT rear seal plate locking
plugs and damaged locking plug retaining wires, between 500 and
1,000 cycles-since-new (CSN) or cycles-since-overhaul where the
locking plug wires were replaced, or within 50 cycles after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(g) Use paragraphs 3.B.(1)(a) through 3.B.(1)(k)(xi) of the
Accomplishment Instructions of RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-
72-AE358, Revision 3, dated July 13, 2005, to do the inspection.
Repetitive Borescope Inspections
(h) Using the criteria and intervals in the following Table 1,
repeat the borescope inspection and remove engines from service to
inspect the HPT disc.
Table 1.--Engine Removal Criteria
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If the number of HPT locking
plugs with acceptable locking Then repeat the Remove the engine
plug retaining wires installed, borescope from service to
determined in paragraph (f) of inspection within: inspect HPT disc:
this AD is:
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(1) Zero or one................. Not applicable.... Before further
flight.
(2) Two......................... Not applicable.... Within 15 CSLI.
(3) Three or four............... 100 cycles-since- Before
last-inspection accumulating
(CSLI) intervals. 1,100 cycles-
since-loss of
locking plug(s)
or 1,100 CSN, or
1,100 cycles-
since-last
acceptable
inspection,
whichever occurs
later.
(4) Five........................ 1,000 CSLI Not applicable.
intervals.
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(i) Use paragraphs 3.B.(1)(a) through 3.B.(1)(k)(xi) of the
Accomplishment Instructions of RR Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-
72-AE358, Revision 3, dated July 13, 2005, to do the inspection.
(j) For Table 1, item (3), if possible, determine when the loss
of locking plug(s) occurred by reviewing the engine vibration
history. If it is not possible to determine the point of locking
plug release, use 1,100 CSN, or 1,100 cycles-since-last acceptable
inspection, whichever occurs later.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(k) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(l) United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness
directive G-2005-0007 R1, dated July 11, 2005, also addresses the
subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use the Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin and
Appendices listed in Table 2 of this AD to perform the inspections
required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Rolls-
Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE248BJ; UK, telephone: 011-44-1332-
242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936, for a copy of this service
information. You may review copies at the Docket Management
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001, on the
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Table 2.--Incorporation by Reference
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Alert Service Bulletin No. Page Revision Date
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RB.211-72-AE358.......................... ALL..................... 3 July 13, 2005.
Total Pages: 16
Appendix 1 to ASB No. RB.211-72-AE358.... ALL..................... 3 July 13, 2005.
Total Pages: 2
Appendix 2 to ASB No. RB.211-72-AE358.... ALL..................... 3 July 13, 2005.
Total Pages: 2
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[[Page 5165]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 24, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-826 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P