2014-03-16: Low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan 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] 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2014-03-16 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG (formerly Rolls- Royce plc): Amendment 39-17750; Docket No. FAA-2013-0342; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-14-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD becomes effective March 18, 2014. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG (RRD) Tay 620-15, 650-15, and 651-54 turbofan engines. (d) Reason This AD was prompted by the discovery that the low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade leading edges erode in service and create an unacceptable blade flutter margin. We are issuing this AD to prevent LPC fan blade failure, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. (e) Actions and Compliance Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) For Tay 620-15 engines, replace the complete set of LPC fan blades with a set eligible for installation as follows: (i) If on the effective date of this AD, the LPC fan blades: (A) Have less than 10,000 flight cycles since new (FCSN) or flight cycles since last repair (FCSLR), replace the blades before accumulating 12,000 FCSN or FCSLR. (B) Have 10,000 or more FCSN or FCSLR, replace the blades within 2,000 flight cycles (FC). (ii) Thereafter, replace the LPC fan blades within 12,000 FCSN or FCSLR. (2) For Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 engines, replace the complete set of LPC fan blades with a set eligible for installation as follows: (i) If on the effective date of this AD, the LPC fan blades: (A) Have less than 8,000 FCSN or FCSLR, replacethe blades before accumulating 10,000 FCSN or FCSLR. (B) Have 8,000 or more FCSN or FCSLR, replace the fan blades within 2,000 FC. (ii) Thereafter, replace the LPC fan blades within 10,000 FCSN or FCSLR. (f) Definitions (1) For the purpose of this AD, a repair is one that was performed in accordance with RRD Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. Tay-72-A1782, Revision 2, dated May 30, 2013, or earlier versions of this Alert NMSB. (2) LPC fan blades eligible for installation are: (i) For Tay 620-15 engines, LPC fan blades with less than 12,000 FCSN or FCSLR; and (ii) For Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 engines, LPC fan blades with less than 10,000 FCSN or FCSLR. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs to 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 Anthony W. Cerra, Jr., Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7128; fax: 781-238-7199; email: anthony.cerra@faa.gov. (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0143, dated July 12, 2013, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0342-0002. (3) RRD Alert NMSB No. Tay-72-A1782, Revision 2, dated May 30, 2013, pertains to the subject of this AD and can be obtained from RRD, using the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this AD. (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz, 15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: 49 0 33-7086-1200 (direct 1016); fax: 49 0 33-7086-1212. (5) You may view this service information at the 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. (i) Material Incorporated by Reference None.