AD 2005-01-15 R1

AD Final Rules - 2005-01-15R1.pdf
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AD Number:
2005-01-15 R1
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
2001-NE-17-AD
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 884B, 892, 892B, and 895 Series...Show more
Subject:
Fan blade dovetail roots
Status:
Current
Citation:
Federal Register: September 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 175)
Citation Publish Date:
09/12/2005
Effective Date:
10/17/2005
Make:
Rolls-Royce plc
Model:
RB211-Trent 884B-17 | RB211-Trent 892B-17 | RB211-Trent 895-17 | RB211-Trent 875-17 | RB211-Trent 877-17 | RB211-Trent 884-17 | RB211-Trent 892-17
Product Type:
Engine
Product Subtype:
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
2005-01-15
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
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[Federal Register: September 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 175)]


[Rules and Regulations]


[Page 53725-53728]


From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


[DOCID:fr12se05-2]


–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39


[Docket No. 2001-NE-17-AD; Amendment 39-14265; AD 2005-01-15R1]


RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 884B, 892, 892B, and 895


Series Turbofan Engines


AGENCY:
 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.


ACTION:
 
Final rule.


–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


SUMMARY:
 
The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc


(RR) RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 884B, 892, 892B, and 895 series turbofan engines with certain part


number (P/N) low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades installed. That AD currently requires initial


and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the fan blade dovetail roots and defines a specific terminating


action to the repetitive blade inspection requirements. This AD requires the same actions but clarifies


the terminating action. We are issuing this AD to prevent multiple LPC fan blade failures due to


cracks, which could result in uncontained engine failure and possible damage to the airplane.


DATES:
 
This AD becomes effective October 17, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register


previously approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as


of January 28, 2005 (70 FR 2336, January 13, 2005).


ADDRESSES:
 
Contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 6BJ, UK; telephone 44 (0) 1332


242424; fax 44 (0) 1332 249936, for the service information identified in this AD.


You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional


Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. You may examine the service


information, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England


Executive Park, Burlington, MA.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 
Christopher Spinney, Aerospace Engineer,


Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive


Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.
2


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
 
On January 3, 2005, we issued AD 2005-01-15,


Amendment 39-13940 (70 FR 2336, January 13, 2005). That AD superseded AD 2002-11-08,


Amendment 39-12769 (67 FR 38852 June 6, 2002). AD 2005-01-15 requires initial and repetitive


ultrasonic inspections of the fan blade dovetail roots, and defines a specific terminating action to the


repetitive blade inspection requirements. That AD was the result of a report of a cracked fan blade


found before the blade reached the initial inspection threshold of AD 2002-11-08. That AD also


reduced the repetitive inspection compliance time due to potential breakdown of blade coating and


lubrication on certain blades. Those conditions, if not corrected, could result in uncontained engine


failure and possible damage to the airplane.


Actions Since We Issued AD 2005-01-15


Since we issued AD 2005-01-15, we received a comment from an operator requesting that we


clarify the terminating action in that AD. As that AD is currently written, you must install LPC fan


blades in complete sets to comply with the terminating action. Our intent is that all blades must be


replaced with blades that meet the replacement criteria to qualify as terminating action, but not


necessarily replaced as a complete set. In response to the comment, we published a proposed AD in


the Federal Register on March 9, 2005 (70 FR 11585). That action proposed to require initial and


repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the fan blade dovetail roots, and to clarify a specific terminating


action to the repetitive blade inspection requirements.


Examining the AD Docket


You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service information), by


appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. See


ADDRESSES for the location.


Comments


We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We


received no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the public.


Conclusion


We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public


interest require adopting the AD as proposed.


Costs of Compliance


There are about 350 RR RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 884B, 892, 892B, and 895 series turbofan


engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 90 engines installed on


airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. We also estimate that it would take about 8


work hours per engine to perform the inspections, and about 260 work hours per engine to perform


the terminating action. The average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, we


estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $1,567,800.


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.