2013-12-01: LP compressor blades

Adoption of 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 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 AD: 2013-12-01 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17478; Docket No. FAA-2012- 1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 29, 2013. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. (d) Reason This AD was prompted by low-pressure (LP) compressor blade partial airfoil release events. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, engine damage, and damage to the airplane. (e) Actions and Compliance Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Inspection of LP Compressor Blade On-Wing or In-Shop (i) For engines with LP compressor blades that have 2,500 flight cycles (FC) or more since new or since last inspection using RR Non- Mandatory Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, perform an ultrasonic inspection of each LP compressor blade within 500 FC or within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is sooner. (ii) Use paragraphs 3.C through 3.H of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013, to do the inspection. (iii) You may do the on-wing phased array ultrasonic inspection added by NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013, and included in NMSB RB.211-72-H311, without removing the blades from the engine for the inspection. (2) Re-Inspection of LP Compressor Blade Identified by Serial Number (S/N)(i) For engines with LP compressor blades installed and identified by S/N in Appendix 1 of RR NMSB RB.211-72-H311, dated March 8, 2013, and that have, on the effective date of this AD, accumulated 2,500 FC since new or since last inspection using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, perform an ultrasonic inspection of each LP compressor blade. (ii) The inspection, either on-wing or in-shop, must be performed within 500 FC or 10 months, whichever is sooner, after the effective date of this AD. (iii) Use paragraphs 3.C through 3.H of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR NMSB RB.211-72-H311, dated March 8, 2013, to do the inspection. (f) Installation Prohibition (1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install, on any engine, any LP compressor blade that has 2,500 FC or more since new or since last inspection using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, unless the LP compressor blade has passed the ultrasonic inspection required in paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD. (2) LP compressor blades that are removed for routine on-wing maintenance such as blade root re-lubrication that will subsequently be reassembled into the engine are not subject to this Installation Prohibition. (g) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the ultrasonic C-scan inspection of each compressor blade if you performed the inspection before the effective date of this AD using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872, dated April 3, 2012, or Revision 1, dated July 2, 2012. [[Page 37706]] (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. (i) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax:781-238-7199; email: robert.green@faa.gov. (2) European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0060, dated March 11, 2013, pertains to the subject of this AD. You may examine this AD on the Internet at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2013-0060. (3) RR Non-Mandatory Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from Rolls-Royce plc using the contact information in paragraph (j)(3) of this AD. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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) Rolls-Royce plc Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72- H311, dated March 8, 2013. (ii) Rolls-Royce plc Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211- 72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013. (3) For Rolls-Royce plc service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332 249936. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. (5) You may view this service information 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.