2023-20672. Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model RB211–535C–37 engines. This AD is prompted by the manufacturer revising the existing engine time limits manual (TLM) to introduce new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. This AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective October 30, 2023.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 30, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1210; 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 the EASA AD identified in this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.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 at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD Model RB211–535C–37 engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 13, 2023 (88 FR 38409). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022–0236, dated December 1, 2022 (EASA AD 2022–0236) (also 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 that the ALS for RB211–535C–37 engines, which is approved by EASA, is defined and published in TLM T–211(535)–5RR, and that these airworthiness limitations have been identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness. The MCAI also states that the manufacturer published a revised engine TLM to introduce new or more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts, which are specified in EASA AD 2022–0236, described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1210.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received a comment from The Boeing Company, who 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 the 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 2022–0236, which specifies procedures for operators to revise the ALS of their existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new or more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts described in the revised engine TLM, as applicable to each engine model. EASA AD 2022–0236 also describes actions for replacing life-limited parts, performing maintenance tasks, and performing corrective actions for any finding of discrepancy as referenced in the engine TLM.

This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES .

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Revise ALS of the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	$0	$85	$170

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

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023–18–05 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39–22546; Docket No. FAA–2023–1210; Project Identifier MCAI–2022–01530–E.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 30, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model RB211–535C–37 engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine time limits manual (TLM) to introduce new or more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of life-limited parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of a critical part, 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

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 2022–0236, dated December 1, 2022 (EASA AD 2022–0236).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0236

(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0236 defines the AMP as the approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme containing the tasks on the basis of which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure the continuing airworthiness of each operated engine, this AD defines the AMP as the aircraft maintenance program containing the tasks on the basis of which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure the continuing airworthiness of each operated airplane.

(2) Where EASA AD 2022–0236 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2022–0236.

(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022–0236 specifies revising the approved AMP within 12 months after the effective date of EASA AD 2022–0236, this AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.

(5) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 2022–0236.

(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 2022–0236.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, AIR–520, Continued Operational Safety 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 branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: [e-mail].

(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.

(k) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(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 2022–0236, dated December 1, 2022.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA AD 2022–0236, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

(4) You may view this service information at 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: [e-mail], or go to: www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on September 7, 2023.

Ross Landes,

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.