[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42207-42209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18021]


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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; Amendment 
39-19362; AD 2018-17-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbojet Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-03-03 for 
all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Viper Mk. 521, Viper Mk. 522, and Viper Mk. 
601-22 turbojet engines. AD 2016-03-03 required reducing the life of 
certain critical parts. This AD requires reducing the life of certain 
critical parts and adds additional engine parts to the applicability. 
This AD was prompted by a determination made by RR that additional 
parts for the applicable RR Viper turbojet engine models are affected. 
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 25, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 25, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1108.

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 Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information, 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document 
Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Herman Mak, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2016-03-03, Amendment 39-18390 (81 FR 12585, 
March 10, 2016) (``AD 2016-03-03''). AD 2016-03-03 applied to all RR 
Viper Mk. 521, Viper Mk. 522, and Viper Mk. 601-22 turbojet engines. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2017 (82 FR 
59560). The NPRM was prompted by RR determining that additional 
compressor rotating shrouds and the compressor main shaft, installed on 
the affected Viper turbojet 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. The NPRM proposed to add additional engine parts to the 
applicability. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RR 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

[[Page 42208]]

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 Viper Mk. 521 turbojet 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 Viper Mk. 522 turbojet engine. The content 
of Circulation A and B of these respective ASBs is identical. RR uses 
the designations ``Circulation A'' and ``Circulation B'' to determine 
distribution of service information, based on the capabilities of 
maintenance facilities.
    RR ASB Mk. 601-22 Number 72-A207, Rev. 1, describes applicable P/Ns 
and revised cyclic life limits for parts installed on the Viper Mk. 
601-22 turbojet 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.

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 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.
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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 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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) 
2016-03-03, Amendment 39-18390 (81 FR 12585, March 10, 2016), and 
adding the following new AD:

2018-17-08 Rolls-Royce plc (Type Certificate previously held by 
Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited, Bristol Engine Division): Amendment 39-
19362; Docket No. FAA-2017-1108; Product Identifier 2012-NE-44-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 25, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2016-03-03, 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. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in 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.

[[Page 42209]]

    (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)(1) 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 Herman Mak, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7147; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2017-
0148, dated August 15, 2017, for more information. You may examine 
the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1108.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Service Bulletin (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.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 10, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-18021 Filed 8-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


