[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 22, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11327-11329]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03283]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9553; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-29-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation Turbofan
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007C and 3007C1 model
turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by analysis and by
cracks found in the high-pressure turbine (HPT) wheel during an
inspection. This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected
HPT wheels at new, lower life limits. We are proposing this AD to
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 10, 2017.

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:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Rolls-
Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-06,
Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Internet: www.rolls-royce.com. You
may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

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-2016-
9553; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA,
2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:
847-294-7834; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-9553;
Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-29-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    We learned from RRC that cracks were found in the HPT wheel during
an inspection. Investigation determined that, for certain part number
(P/N) HPT wheels, incomplete shot peening in the internal shaft fillet
resulted in reduced fatigue life. For other affected P/N HPT wheels,
the polishing wheel used in the manufacturing process created an
unfavorable surface finish, known as ``Black Wheel Polish,'' that could
lead to crack initiation. We are, therefore, lowering the life limits
for these affected HPT wheels. These conditions, if not corrected,
could result in uncontained failure of the HPT wheels, damage to the
engine, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 3007C-A-72-318,
Revision 2, dated September 23, 2016.

The ASB provides updated life limits for the affected HPT wheels. 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.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected HPT
wheels at new, lower life limits.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 307 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost              Parts cost          product        operators
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Replacement of HPT wheel (P/N      0 work-hours x $85 per    $39,171 (pro-rated          $39,171      $3,838,758
 23062373, 23065891, or 23070664)   hour = $0.                cost of part).
 at reduced life.
Replacement of HPT wheel (P/N      0 work-hours x $85 per    21,911 (pro-rated            21,911       4,579,399
 23063462, 23065892, 23069116,      hour = $0.                cost of part).
 23069592, or 23074643) at
 reduced life.
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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.
    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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

Roll-Royce Corporation (Type Certificate previously held by Allison
Engine Company): Docket No. FAA-2016-9553; Directorate Identifier
2016-NE-29-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 10, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 3007C
and 3007C1 turbofan engines with 1st stage high-pressure turbine
(HPT) wheels, part number (P/N) 23062373, 23065891, or 23070664; or
with 2nd stage HPT wheels, P/N 23063462, 23065892, 23069116,
23069592 (except those serial numbers (S/Ns) noted in paragraph
(c)(2) of this AD), or 23074643, installed.
    (2) This AD does not apply to RRC AE 3007C and 3007C1 turbofan
engines with 2nd stage HPT wheels, P/N 23069592, with S/Ns listed in
Table 6 of RRC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AE 3007C-A-72-318,
Revision 2, dated September 23, 2016, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine/
turboprop Engine, Turbine Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by analysis and by cracks found in the HPT
wheel during an inspection. We are issuing this AD to prevent
uncontained failure of the HPT wheels, damage to the engine, and
damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
    (1) For all RRC AE 3007C or C1 engines with an installed 1st
stage HPT wheel, P/N 23062373, 23065891, or 23070664, or 2nd stage
HPT wheel, P/N 23063462, 23065892, 23069116, 23069592 (except those
S/Ns excluded by paragraph (c)(2) of this AD) or 23074643, after the
effective date of this AD, remove the affected wheels before
exceeding the new life limits identified in paragraph C., Table 1 of
RRC ASB AE 3007C-A-72-318, Revision 2, dated September 23, 2016.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not return to
service any engine with an HPT turbine wheel, with an affected P/N
and an S/N, with a wheel life that exceeds the new life limits
identified in paragraph C., Table 1 of RRC ASB AE 3007C-A-72-318,
Revision 2, dated September 23, 2016.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19
to make your request.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kyri
Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification
Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des
Plaines, IL 60018; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) For RRC service information identified in this AD, contact
Rolls-Royce Corporation, 450 South Meridian Street, Mail Code NB-01-
06, Indianapolis, IN 46225; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Internet: www.rolls-royce.com.
    (3) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 27, 2017.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03283 Filed 2-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P