2008-22-24: Low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade

2008-22-24 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-15721. Docket No. FAA-2007- 29343; Directorate Identifier 2000-NE-13-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 9, 2008. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\t(b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-02-05, Amendment 39-13950. \n\nApplicability \n\n\t(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 series turbofan engines with low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades with the part numbers (P/ Ns) listed in Table 1 of this AD. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 757 and Tupolev Tu204 series airplanes. Table 1 follows: \n\n\tTable 1--Applicable LPC Fan Blade P/Ns\n\n\nUL16135\nUL16171\nUL16182\nUL19643\nUL20044\nUL20132\nUL20616\nUL21345\nUL22286\nUL23122\nUL24525\nUL24528\nUL24530\nUL24532\nUL24534\nUL27992\nUL28601\nUL28602\nUL29511\nUL29556\nUL30817\nUL30819\nUL30933\nUL30935\nUL33707\nUL33709\nUL36992\nUL37090\nUL37272\nUL37274\nUL37276\nUL37278\nUL38029\nUL38032\n\n\n\nUnsafe Condition \n\n\t(d) This AD results from RR issuing Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. RB.211-72-C879, Revision 5 and Revision 6, that introduced a relaxed repetitive compliance schedule for fan blades operating within RB211-535E4 flight profiles A and B, if certain requirements are met, and introduced a relaxed initial compliance threshold. We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade roots, which if not detected, could lead to uncontained multiple fan blade failure, and damage to the airplane. \n\nCompliance \n\n\t(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done. \n\t(f) On RB211-535E4 engines, operated to Flight Profile A: \n\t(1) Ultrasonically inspect the fan blade root, and if required, relubricate using one of the methods in Table 2 of this AD. \n\t(2) If the initial inspection is complete prior to 18,600 cycles-since-new (CSN), then the next inspection may be postponed until 20,000 CSN. \n\n\tTable 2--RB211-535E4 Flight Profile A \n\n\n\nEngine Location\nInitial Inspection Within (CSN)\nType Action\nIn Accordance With Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB)\nRepeat Inspection Within Cycles Since Last Inspection (CSLI).\n(1) On-wing.\n20,000.\n(i) Root Probe inspect, OR\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(7), dated December 14, 2007.\n1,400.\n\n\n(ii) Wave Probe inspect.\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7), dated December 14, 2007.\n1,150.\n(2) In shop.\n20,000.\nRoot Probe inspect. Relubricate if blade life is more than 19,650 cycles.\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(4), dated December 14, 2007.\n1,400.\n\n\n\t(g) On RB211-535E4 engines, operated to Flight Profile B: \n\t(1) Ultrasonically inspect the fan blade root, and if required, relubricate using one of the methods in Table 3 of this AD. \n\t(2) If the initial inspection is complete prior to 14,150 CSN, then the next inspection may be postponed until 15,000 CSN. \n\n\tTable 3--RB211-535E4 Flight Profile B \n\n\nEngine Location\nInitial Inspection Within (CSN)\nType Action\nIn Accordance With MSB\nRepeat Inspection Within CSLI\n(1) On-wing.\n15,000.\n(i) Root Probe inspect, OR\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(7), dated December 14, 2007.\n850.\n\n\n(ii)Wave Probe inspect.\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7), dated December 14, 2007.\n700.\n(2) In shop.\n15,000.\nRoot Probe, inspect. Relubricate if blade life is more than 14,650 cycles.\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(4), dated December 14, 2007.\n850.\n\n\n\t(h) On RB211-535E4-B engines: \n\t(1) Ultrasonically inspect the fan blade root, and if required, relubricate using one of the methods in Table 4 of this AD. \n\t(2) If the initial inspection is complete prior to 18,800 CSN, then the next inspection may be postponed until 20,000 CSN. \n\n\tTable 4--RB211-535E4-B \n\n\nEngine LocationInitial Inspection Within (CSN)\nType Action\nIn Accordance With MSB\nRepeat Inspection Within (CSLI)\n(i) On-wing.\n20,000.\n(A) Root Probe inspect, OR\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(7), dated December 14, 2007.\n1,200.\n\n\n(B) Wave Probe inspect.\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7), dated December 14, 2007.\n1,000.\n(ii) In shop.\n20,000.\nRoot Probe inspect. Relubricate if blade life is more than 19,650 cycles.\nRB.211-72-C879 Revision 6, 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(4), dated December 14, 2007.\n1,200.\n\n\t(i) For fan blades operated to any combination of RB211-535E4 Flight Profile A, -535E4 Flight Profile B, -535E4-B, -535E4-B and - 535E4-C engines: \n\t(1) Calculate an equivalent CSN as defined in the Time Limits Manual. See References Section 1.G.(3), of MSB RB.211-72-C879, Revision 6, dated December 14, 2007. \n\t(2) For fan blades that are currently flying in Profile A, inspect using paragraph (f) and Table 2 of this AD using equivalent CSN. \n\t(3) For fan blades that are currently flying in Profile B, inspect using paragraph (g) and Table 3 of this AD using equivalent CSN. \n\t(4) For fan blades that are currently flying in an RB211-535E4-B engine, inspect using paragraph (h) and Table 4 of this AD using equivalent CSN. \n\nOptional Terminating Action \n\n\t(j) Application of Metco 58 blade root coating using RR SB No. RB.211-72-C946, Revision 2, dated September 26, 2002, constitutes terminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements specified in paragraphs (f), (g), (h), and (i) of this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(k) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. \n\nPrevious Credit \n\n\t(l) Inspections and relubrication done before the effective date of this AD that use AD 2003-12-15 (Amendment 39-13200, 68 FR 37735, June 25, 2003), RR MSB No. RB.211-72-C879, Revision 3, datedOctober 9, 2002, MSB No. RB.211-72-C879, Revision 4, dated April 2, 2004, or MSB No. RB.211-72-C879, Revision 5, dated March 8, 2007, comply with the requirements specified in this AD. \n\nRelated Information \n\n\t(m) United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness directive AD 002-01-2000, dated October 9, 2002, also addresses the subject of this AD. \n\t(n) Contact Ian Dargin, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: ian.dargin@faa.gov; telephone: (781) 238-7178; fax: (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. \n\nMaterial Incorporated by Reference \n\n\t(o) You must use Rolls-Royce plc Mandatory Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-C879, Revision 6, dated December 14, 2007 to perform the inspections and relubrication required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; telephone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202- 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ ibr-locations.html.