2020-08-03: Turbine Engine Compressor Section

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows: \n\n((Page 20401)) \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-22-24, Amendment 39-15721 (73 FR 65511, November 4, 2008), and adding the following new AD: \n\n2020-08-03 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39-21109; Docket No. FAA-2018-1034; Project Identifier 2018-NE-38-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective May 18, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2008-22-24, Amendment 39-15721 (73 FR 65511, November 4, 2008). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) (Type Certificate previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) RB211-535E4- 37, RB211-535E4-B-37, RB211-535E4-C-37, and RB-211-535E4-B-75 model turbofan engines except those with fan blades that have all incorporated Rolls-Royce (RR) Service Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-C946, Revision 4, dated June 22, 2010 (or any earlier revision). \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by small cracks found in the low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade roots on the concave root flank during an engine overhaul. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect cracks in the LPC fan blade roots. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained LPC fan blade release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Required Actions \n\n\n\t(1)For engine models being used in the flight profiles indicated in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, perform initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (USIs) of the affected fan blades in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A., 3.B., and 3.C., of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB211-72-AC879, Revision 9, dated April 23, 2018, as follows: \n\t(i) Perform an initial ultrasonic root or surface wave inspection of each LPC fan blade before exceeding the inspection threshold as indicated in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. \n\t(ii) Thereafter, perform a repetitive ultrasonic root or surface wave inspection of each LPC fan blade at intervals not to exceed engine flight cycles (EFCs) since the previous inspection using the applicable EFCs specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. (GRAPHIC) (TIFF OMITTED) TR13AP20.001 \n\n\n\t(2) For engine models that, after the effective date of this AD, change flight profiles, inspect the affected fan blades before exceeding the initial threshold of the new flight profile or reinspection interval, as applicable, or within 200 EFCs after changing flight profiles, whichever occurs later, without exceeding the previous flight profile initial inspection threshold or reinspection interval. \n\t(3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, any crack is found in the affected fan blades that exceeds the criteria in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.A., 3.B., or 3.C., of RR Alert NMSB RB211-72-AC879, Revision 9, dated April 23, 2018, before the next flight, replace the LPC fan blade with a LPC fan blade eligible for installation. \n\n(h) Optional Terminating Action \n\n\n\tModification of any RRD RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, RB211- 535E4-C-37, and RB-211-535E4-B-75 model turbofan engine in accordance with RR SB RB.211-72-C946, Revision 4, dated June 22, 2010, constitutes terminating action to this AD. \n\n(i) Credit for Previous Actions \n\n\n\tAny initial USI accomplished before the effective date of this AD that uses RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-C879, Revision 8, dated November 18, 2015, or earlier versions, meets the requirement of the initial inspection, as applicable. Any repetitive USI accomplished before the effective date of this AD that uses RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-C879, Revision 8, dated November 18, 2015, or earlier versions, meets the requirement of that single repetitive inspection, as applicable. Further repetitive inspections, as mandated by paragraph (g) of this AD, are still required. \n\n(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, ECO 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 \n\n((Page 20402)) \n\nappropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. \n\t(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. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Stevenson, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7132; fax: 781-238-7199; email: scott.m.stevenson@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0202R1, dated September 25, 2018, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA- 2018-1034. \n\n(l) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(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. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Rolls-Royce (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AC879, Revision 9, dated April 23, 2018. \n\t(ii) RR Service Bulletin RB.211-72-C946, Revision 4, dated June 22, 2010. \n\t(3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; telephone: 011- 44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. \n\t(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, email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on April 7, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-07675 Filed 4-10-20; 8:45 am) \n\tBILLING CODE 4910-13-P