[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59560-59562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26968]



[[Page 59560]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1108; Product Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbojet Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2016-03-
03 that applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Viper Mk. 521, Viper Mk. 
522, and Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engines. AD 2016-03-03 requires 
reducing the life of certain critical parts. Since we issued AD 2016-
03-03, RR determined that additional parts for these RR Viper engine 
models are affected. This proposed AD would add additional engine parts 
to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 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, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, 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 NPRM, contact DA 
Services Operations Room at Rolls-Royce plc, Defense Sector Bristol, 
WH-70, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, United Kingdom; phone: +44 
(0) 117 97 90700; fax: +44 (0) 117 97 95498; email: royce.com">[email protected]royce.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

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-
1108; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information, 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7754; 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-2017-1108; 
Product Identifier 2012-NE-44-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

    We issued AD 2016-03-03, Amendment 39-18390 (81 FR 12585, March 10, 
2016), ``AD 2016-03-03,'' for all RR Viper Mk. 521, Viper Mk. 522, and 
Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engines. AD 2016-03-03 requires reducing the 
life of certain critical parts. AD 2016-03-03 resulted from a 
determination by RR that the life of certain critical engine parts 
needed to be reduced. We issued AD 2016-03-03 to prevent failure of 
life-limited parts, which could lead to an uncontained part release, 
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2016-03-03 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2016-03-03, RR determined that additional 
compressor rotating shrouds and the compressor main shaft, installed on 
the affected Viper engines, require a reduction in their cyclic life 
limits. Also since we issued AD 2016-03-03, the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) has issued AD 2017-0148, dated August 15, 2017, 
which requires reducing the cyclic life limits of the affected parts.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    RR has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASBs) Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, 
Circulation A; Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation B; Mk. 522 Number 
72-A413, Circulation A; Mk. 522 Number 72-A412, Circulation B; and Mk. 
601-22 Number 72-A207; all identified as Revision 1 and all dated June 
2017. RR ASBs Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation A (Revision 1) and 
Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation B (Revision 1) describe applicable 
part numbers (P/Ns) and revised cyclic life limits for parts installed 
on the Mk. 521 engine. RR ASBs Mk. 522 Number 72-A413, Circulation A 
(Revision 1), and Mk. 522 Number 72-A412, Circulation B (Revision 1) 
describe applicable P/Ns and revised cyclic life limits for parts 
installed on the Mk. 522 engine. RR ASB Mk. 601-22 Number 72-A207, Rev. 
1, describes applicable P/Ns and revised cyclic life limits for parts 
installed on the Mk. 601-22 engine. 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.

FAA's Determination

    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 reducing the cyclic life of certain 
critical parts. This proposed AD would add additional parts to the 
applicability of AD 2016-03-03.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 46 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 59561]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace parts............  4 work-hours x $85 per          $75,000          $75,340       $3,465,640
                                       hour = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 have 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 that the 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2016-13-03, Amendment 39-18390 (81 FR 12585, March 10, 2016), and 
adding the following new AD:

Rolls-Royce plc (Type Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce 
(1971) Limited, Bristol Engine Division): Docket No. FAA-2017-1108; 
Product Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 29, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2016-13-03, Amendment 39-18390 (81 FR 12585, 
March 10, 2016).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Viper Mk. 521, Viper 
Mk. 522, and Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Compressor 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a review by RR of the lives of certain 
critical parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of life-
limited parts, uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Remove from service any Group A component listed in Table 1 
of the RR Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) listed in paragraphs 
(g)(1)(i) through (v) of this AD within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD, or before the part exceeds the revised life limit 
specified in the applicable ASB, whichever occurs later.
    (i) RR ASB Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation A (Revision 1), 
dated June 2017.
    (ii) RR ASB Mk. 521 Number 72-A408, Circulation B (Revision 1), 
dated June 2017.
    (iii) RR ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A413, Circulation A (Revision 1), 
dated June 2017.
    (iv) RR ASB Mk. 522 Number 72-A412, Circulation B (Revision 1), 
dated June 2017.
    (v) RR ASB Mk. 601-22 Number 72-A207, Rev. 1, dated June 2017.
    (2) Reserved.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any Group A 
component identified in Table 1 of the RR ASBs in paragraph 
(g)(1)(i) through (v) of this AD into any engine, or return any 
engine to service with any affected part installed, if the affected 
part exceeds the revised life limit specified in the applicable ASB.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, may 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) 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 Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency, AD 2017-0148, 
dated August 15, 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-2017-1108.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact DA 
Services Operations Room at Rolls-Royce plc, Defense Sector

[[Page 59562]]

Bristol, WH-70, P.O. Box 3, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QE, United 
Kingdom; phone: +44 (0) 117 97 90700; fax: +44 (0) 117 97 95498; 
email: royce.com">[email protected]royce.com.
    (4) You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, 
Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 8, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26968 Filed 12-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


