[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62694-62697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26393]



[[Page 62694]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0871; Product Identifier 2018-NE-24-AD; Amendment 
39-19511; AD 2018-25-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2018-13-07 for 
all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-D, 
Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H turbofan engine models. AD 
2018-13-07 required initial inspections of the intermediate-pressure 
compressor (IPC) stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and 
IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, and removing any cracked parts from 
service. This AD requires initial inspections and adds repetitive 
inspections of the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, 
and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, and removing any cracked parts 
from service. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer determining the 
need for repetitive inspections of the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC 
stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts. We are 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 21, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 21, 
2018.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by January 22, 2019.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, 
DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: 
royce.com">[email protected]royce.com; internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare. 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-2018-0871.

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-2018-
0871; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information, regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued AD 2018-13-07, Amendment 39-19319 (83 FR 34758, July 23, 
2018), (``AD 2018-13-07''), for all RR Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-C, 
Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H turbofan 
engine models. AD 2018-13-07 required inspecting the IPC stage 1 rotor 
blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, 
and removing any cracked parts from service. AD 2018-13-07 resulted 
from crack findings on the IPC rotor blades and IPC shaft stage 2 
dovetail posts, which could lead to rotor blade separations resulting 
in engine failures. We issued AD 2018-13-07 to prevent failure of the 
IPC, which could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of 
thrust control, and loss of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2018-13-07 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2018-13-07, the manufacturer determined the need 
for repetitive inspections of the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 
rotor blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts. Also, since we 
issued AD 2018-13-07, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued 
AD 2018-0167R2, dated October 16, 2018, which requires initial and 
repetitive inspections of the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 
rotor blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts. We are issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 
1000 72-AK130, Revision 2, dated July 26, 2018, and RR Alert NMSB Trent 
1000 72-K132, dated June 29, 2018. RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130 
describes procedures for performing initial and repetitive inspections 
of the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC 
shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, and lists engine serial numbers. RR Alert 
NMSB Trent 1000 72-K132, describes procedures for replacement of the 
IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and the IP 
compressor drum during refurbishment. 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.

Other Related Service Information

    We reviewed RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K099, Initial Issue, dated June 
11, 2018; RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K099, Revision 1, dated July 3, 2018; 
RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K100, Initial Issue, dated June 11, 2018; RR NMSB 
Trent 1000 72-K129, Initial Issue, dated June 11, 2018; and RR NMSB 
Trent 1000 72-K129, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2018. RR NMSB Trent 1000 
72-K099, Initial Issue, and RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K099, Revision 1, 
describe procedure for an ultrasonic inspection of the IPC stage 1 
rotor blades. RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K100 Initial Issue describes 
procedures for a visual borescope inspection of the IPC stage 2 rotor 
blades and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts. RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-
K129, Initial Issue, and RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-K129, Revision 1, 
describe procedures for an ultrasonic inspection of the IPC stage 2 
rotor blades.

[[Page 62695]]

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by EASA 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 and service information referenced 
above. We are issuing 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of the IPC 
stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 
dovetail posts, and removing any cracked parts from service.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    This AD allows inspections of any affected IPC part to be completed 
within 15 days of the effective date of this AD. EASA AD 2018-0167R2, 
dated October 16, 2018, and RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, Revision 
2, dated July 26, 2018, allow certain affected IPC parts to be 
completed within 45 days of the effective date of EASA AD 2018-0167R1. 
We expect most operators to have already complied with EASA AD and find 
that completing the inspections within 15 days of the effective date of 
this AD provides an appropriate level of safety.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The manufacturer is still 
reviewing this unsafe condition and may develop follow-on actions.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final 
rule. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES 
section. Include the docket number FAA-2018-0871 and product identifier 
2018-NE-24-AD at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite 
comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy 
aspects of this final rule. We will consider all comments received by 
the closing date and may amend this final rule 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 final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 0 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect IPC blades and dovetail post..  20 work-hours x $85 per               $0          $1,700              $0
                                         hour = $1,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace IPC Stage 1 Rotor blade...............  0 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0          $1,528          $1,528
Replace IPC Stage 2 Rotor blade...............  0 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0             993             993
Replace IPC 1-8 drum..........................  0 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0       1,365,219       1,365,219
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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.

[[Page 62696]]

    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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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) 
2018-13-07, Amendment 39-19319 (83 FR 34758, July 23, 2018), and adding 
the following new AD:

2018-25-01 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-19511; Docket No. FAA-2018-
0871; Product Identifier 2018-NE-24-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 21, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-13-07, Amendment 39-19319 (83 FR 34758, 
July 23, 2018).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A, Trent 
1000-C, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H 
turbofan engine models.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of intermediate-pressure 
compressor (IPC) rotor blade cracks, which could lead to rotor blade 
separations resulting in engine failures. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the IPC. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust 
control, and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 15 days of the effective date of this AD, or within 
the compliance times specified in Table 1 of RR Alert Non-
Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK130, Revision 
2, dated July 26, 2018, whichever occurs later, perform on-wing 
inspection of the IPC stage 1 rotor blades in accordance with 
paragraph 3.A.(1) of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130.
    (2) Repeat the on-wing inspection of the IPC stage 1 rotor 
blades in accordance with paragraph 3.A.(1) of RR Alert NMSB Trent 
1000 72-AK130, Revision 2, dated July 26, 2018, and within the 
compliance times specified in Table 1 of that NMSB.
    (3) Within 15 days of the effective date of this AD, or within 
the compliance times specified in Table 1 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 
1000 72-AK130 Revision 2, dated July 26, 2018, whichever occurs 
later, perform on-wing inspection of the IPC stage 2 rotor blades 
and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts in accordance with paragraph 
3.B.(1) and 3.C.(1) of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130.
    (4) Repeat the on-wing inspection of the IPC stage 2 rotor 
blades and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts in accordance with 
paragraphs 3.B.(1) and 3.C.(1) of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, 
Revision 2, dated July 26, 2018, and within the compliance times 
specified in Table 1 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130.
    (5) For the on-wing inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) 
through (4) of this AD, provided the stated thresholds and intervals 
are not exceeded, you may substitute:
    (i) An in-shop inspection of an engine or module performed in 
accordance with the instructions of paragraphs 3.A.2, 3.B.2, and 
3.C.2 of the RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, Revision 2, dated 
July 26, 2018; or
    (ii) an in-shop piece part inspection during refurbishment in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.B.(2)(f)(vi), 3.B.(2)(g)(v), and 3.B.(3)(d)(iii) of RR Trent 1000 
NMSB 72-K132, dated June 29, 2018.
    (6) If any IPC stage 1 rotor blade, IPC stage 2 rotor blade, or 
an IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail post is found cracked during any 
inspection required by this AD, remove the part from service and 
replace the part with a part eligible for installation before 
further flight.

(h) Inspection After Operation Under Asymmetric Power

    As of the effective date of this AD, before the next flight 
after each occurrence where engine operation in asymmetric power 
conditions was sustained for more than 30 minutes at less than 
25,000 feet, either resulting from engine power reduction, or from 
engine in-flight shut-down (IFSD), inspect the IPC stage 1 rotor 
blades, stage 2 rotor blades and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts in 
accordance with the paragraphs 3.A.(1), 3.B.(1), and 3.C.(1) of the 
RR Alert NMSB Trent1000 72-AK130, Revision 2, dated July 26, 2018 on 
the engine that did not experience the power reduction or IFSD 
installed on the airplane.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the inspections required by paragraph 
(g)(1) and (3) of this AD if you performed these inspections before 
the effective date of this AD using RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-
AK130, Revision 1, dated June 29, 2018, or RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 
72-AK130, Initial Issue, dated June 11, 2018.

(j) Special Flight Permits

    (1) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are subject to the requirements of paragraph (k)(1)(i) 
of this AD.
    (i) Operators who are prohibited from further flight due to an 
IPC stage 1 rotor blade, IPC stage 2 rotor blade, or an IPC shaft 
stage 2 dovetail post being found cracked, may perform a one-time 
non-revenue ferry flight to a location where the engine can be 
removed from service. This ferry flight must be performed without 
passengers, involve non-extended operations (ETOPS), and consume no 
more than three flight cycles.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) [Reserved]

(k) 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 (l)(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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin M. Clark, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-
0167R2, dated October 16, 2018, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0871.

(m) 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 Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
(NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK130, Revision 2, dated July 26, 2018.

[[Page 62697]]

    (ii) RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-K132, dated June 29, 2018.
    (3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-
249936; email: royce.com">[email protected]royce.com; internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare.
    (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 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 November 28, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26393 Filed 12-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


