[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 135 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36622-36624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17535]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-ANE-39; Amendment 39-9672; AD 96-13-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce, plc RB211 Series Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
[[Page 36623]]
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc RB211 series turbofan engines, that
requires removing and replacing the existing rigid low pressure (LP)
fuel system tube assembly with a tube assembly having flexible sections
and revised clip points to preclude cracking and subsequent fuel
leakage. This amendment is prompted by multiple reports of fuel leaks.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a fuel system
leak, which could result in rapid atomization of fuel and an engine
fire.
DATES: Effective September 10, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 10, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Rolls-Royce, plc, P.O. Box 31, Moor Lane, Derby, DE248BJ,
United Kingdom; telephone 1332-249428, fax 1332-249423. This
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Kerman, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617)
238-7130, fax (617) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) Models
RB211-535E4 series and -535E4-B series turbofan engines was published
in the Federal Register on June 26,1995 (60 FR 20189). That action
proposed to require replacement of the low pressure (LP) fuel tube
assembly in accordance with R-R Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-
B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter states that as soon as parts were available, R-R
undertook incorporation of the modification described in R-R SB No.
RB.211-73-B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994, on all engines in
production. The commenter states that all engines starting with serial
number (S/N) 31292 were delivered with the configuration required by
the proposed AD. The commenter proposes that the applicability section
be revised to exclude engine S/N's of 31292 and subsequent. The FAA
concurs and has revised the applicability section of this final rule
accordingly.
Two commenters support the rule as proposed.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
There are approximately 558 engines of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 292 engines installed on
aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 2 work hours per engine to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts will cost approximately $1,000 per engine. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $327,040.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air Transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-13-04 Rolls-Royce, plc: Amendment 39-9672. Docket 94-ANE-39.
Applicability: Rolls-Royce, plc. (R-R) Models RB211-535E4 series
and -535E4-B series turbofan engines, prior to engine Serial Number
(S/N) 31292, installed on but not limited to Boeing 757 series
aircraft.
Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the
authority provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the
applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a fuel system leak, which could result in rapid
atomization of fuel and an engine fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD, remove
the existing rigid low pressure (LP) fuel system tube assembly and
replace with the new flexible LP fuel system tube design with
revised clip points, in accordance with R-R Service Bulletin (SB)
No. RB.211-73-B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. The
request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Engine Certification Office.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of
[[Page 36624]]
compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be
obtained from the Engine Certification Office.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with the following R-R SB:
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Document No. Pages Revision Date
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RB.211-73-B048................ 1-6..... 1........... July 22, 1994.
7,8..... Original.... June 3, 1994.
9-12.... 1........... July 22, 1994.
Supplement.................... 1....... 1........... July 22, 1994.
Total Pages: 13.
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Rolls-Royce, plc, P.O. Box 31,
Moor Lane, Derby, DE248BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 1332-249428,
fax 1332-249423. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 1996.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 11, 1996.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-17535 Filed 7-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
