[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5963-5965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02600]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1050; Product Identifier 2017-NE-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-710A2-20 and 
BR700-710C4-11 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by 
reports of deterioration of the intumescent heat resistant paint system 
on the electronic engine controller (EEC) firebox assembly that was 
found to be beyond acceptable limits. This proposed AD would require 
replacement of affected EEC firebox assembly parts with improved parts, 
which have a more durable paint system. We are proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by March 29, 2018.

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 http://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, Washington, 
DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 
Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 7086 2673; fax: +49 (0) 
33 7086 3276. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine 
& Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7759.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1050; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7157; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-1050; 
Product Identifier 2017-NE-39-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No. 2017-0198, dated October 10, 2017 (referred to hereinafter as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported where deterioration of an Electronic 
Engine Controller (EEC) firebox assembly

[[Page 5964]]

intumescent heat resistant paint system was found to be beyond 
acceptable limits. Subsequent investigation determined that lack of 
paint adhesion, due to incorrect surface preparation during 
manufacturing, had caused this deterioration.
    This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the fire 
protection capability of the EEC firebox, possibly leading to 
reduced control of an engine during engine fire, engine overspeed 
and release of high-energy debris, resulting in damage to, and/or 
reduced control of, the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, RRD issued Alert SB 
SB-BR700-73-A101977, SB-BR700-73-A101981 and SB-BR700-73-A101985 to 
provide modification instructions introducing improved new or 
reworked EEC firebox assembly parts, which have a more durable paint 
system.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires replacement of 
affected EEC firebox assembly parts with improved parts.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1050.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed RRD Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) SB-BR700-73-A101977, 
Revision 3, dated July 10, 2017; RRD ASB SB-BR700-73-A101981, Revision 
3, dated July 10, 2017; and RRD ASB SB-BR700-73-A101985, Revision 3, 
dated July 10, 2017. The service information describes procedures for 
installing new or reworked EEC firebox assembly parts for BR700-710A2-
20, BR700-710C4-11, and BR700-710C4-11/10 engines, respectively.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany, 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. We are 
proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require replacement of affected EEC firebox 
assembly parts with improved parts, which have a more durable paint 
system.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 842 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EEC firebox assembly replacement......  2.5 work-hours x $85 per          $4,900       $5,112.50      $4,304,725
                                         hour = $212.50.
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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.
    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.
    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

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Rolls-Royce Deutschland GmbH (Type Certificate previously held by 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland GmbH, formerly BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH): Docket 
No. FAA-2017-1050; Product Identifier 2017-NE-39-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 29, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to:
    (1) Rolls-Royce Deutschland (RRD) BR700-710A2-20 turbofan 
engines with any of the following electronic engine controller (EEC) 
firebox assembly part numbers (P/Ns)

[[Page 5965]]

installed: FW42888, FW42886, FW38590, FW38591, or FW58255.
    (2) RRD BR700-710C4-11 turbofan engines with any of the 
following EEC firebox assembly P/Ns installed: FW38504, FW38503, 
FW38590, FW38591, or FW58255.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7600, Engine 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of deterioration of the 
intumescent heat resistant paint system on the EEC firebox assembly 
that was found to be beyond acceptable limits. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the EEC. The unsafe condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the EEC, loss of engine thrust 
control, and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
the following:
    (i) For RRD BR700-710A2-20 engines, remove from service the EEC 
firebox assembly components with P/N FW42888, FW42886, FW38590, 
FW38591, and FW58255 and replace with parts eligible for 
installation.
    (ii) For RRD BR700-710C4-11 engines, remove from service the EEC 
firebox assembly components with P/N FW38504, FW38503, FW38590, 
FW38591, and FW58255 and replace with parts eligible for 
installation.
    (2) Reserved.

(h) 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 (i)(1) of this AD. Information may be 
emailed 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Martin Adler, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7157; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI EASA AD No. 2017-0198, dated October 10, 2017, 
for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-1050.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 5, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02600 Filed 2-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


