[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44040-44042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14584]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0437; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01358-E; 
Amendment 39-22480; AD 2023-12-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-26-
13, which applied to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) 
Model Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, 
Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-
J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. AD 2021-26-13 required 
revision of the engine Time Limits Manual (TLM) life limits of certain 
critical rotating parts and direct accumulation counting (DAC) data 
files. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-26-13, RRD has revised the TLM with 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, including updated life 
limits for certain critical parts and updated DAC data files. This AD 
was prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine TLM life limits of 
certain critical rotating parts, updating the DAC data files, and 
updating certain maintenance tasks. This AD requires revising the 
existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in 
a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is 
incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 15, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 15, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0437; 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 (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: 
+49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu.
     You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available in the 
AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0437.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 
238-7241; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-26-13, Amendment 39-21872 (86 FR 
72840, December 23, 2021), (``AD 2021-26-13''). AD 2021-26-13 applied 
to all RRD Model Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 
1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, 
Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. AD 2021-26-13 
required operators to update the airworthiness limitations section 
(ALS) of their approved maintenance and inspection program by 
incorporating the latest revision of the engine TLM life limits of 
certain critical rotating parts and updating DAC data files for each 
affected model engine. The FAA issued AD 2021-26-13 to prevent the 
failure of critical rotating parts.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 23, 2023 (88 FR 
17426). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0210, dated October 17, 
2022 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), issued by EASA, which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The 
MCAI states the manufacturer published a revised TLM introducing new or 
more restrictive tasks and limitations. These new or more restrictive 
tasks and limitations include updating declared lives of certain 
critical parts and updating DAC data files.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0437.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing 
approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in 
EASA AD 2022-0210. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from one commenter, The Boeing Company 
(Boeing). Boeing supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 
considered the comment received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0210. EASA AD 2022-0210 specifies 
instructions for accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable 
TLM, including performing maintenance tasks, replacing life-limited 
parts, and revising the existing approved maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and 
associated thresholds and intervals described in the TLM.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course

[[Page 44041]]

of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0210 specifies revising the 
approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months after the 
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0210, this AD requires revising the ALS 
of the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 32 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
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Revise the continuous airworthiness   1 work-hours x $85 per               $0              $85           $2,720
 maintenance program.                  hour = $85.
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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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA has 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-26-13, Amendment 39-21872 (86 
FR 72840, December 23, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-12-21 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22480; 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0437; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01358-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 15, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-26-13, Amendment 39-21872 (86 FR 72840, 
December 23, 2021).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 
1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, 
Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
(Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine 
Time Limits Manual life limits of certain critical rotating parts, 
updating the direct accumulation counting data files, and updating 
certain maintenance tasks. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the 
failure of critical rotating parts. 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

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0210, dated October 17, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0210).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0210

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0210 defines the AMP as the approved 
Aircraft Maintenance Programme on the basis of which the operator or 
the owner ensures the continuing airworthiness of each operated 
engine, this AD defines the AMP as the Aircraft Maintenance Program 
on the basis of which the operator or the owner ensures the 
continuing airworthiness of each operated airplane.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0210 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (1) of 
EASA AD 2022-0210.
    (4) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (2) of 
EASA AD 2022-0210.
    (5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0210 specifies revising 
the approved AMP within 12 months after the effective date of EASA 
AD 2022-0210, this AD requires revising the existing approved 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, and airworthiness 
limitations section within 90 days after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD 
2022-0210.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After performing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as 
specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2022-0210.

[[Page 44042]]

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, International Validation 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 responsible Flight 
Standards 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 (k) of this AD and email to: [email protected]. 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: (781) 238-7241; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0210, dated 
October 17, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0210, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: 
[email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. This EASA AD may be 
found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-
0437.
    (4) You may view this service information at the at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222 5110.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 28, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14584 Filed 7-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


