[Federal Register: April 5, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 65)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17035-17037]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05ap06-25]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-ANE-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Model RB211 Trent 892,
884, 877, 875, and 892B Series Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); rescission.
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to rescind an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Model RB211 Trent 892, 884,
877, 875, and 892B series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires
inspecting and replacing certain angle gearbox and intermediate gearbox
hardware, and on-going repetitive inspections of the magnetic chip
detectors. This action would rescind all the requirements of AD 97-06-
13, Amendment 39-9970, Docket No. 97-ANE-09. This proposed rescission
results from the FAA determining that the inspections and replacements
required by that AD are no longer required to correct an unsafe
condition. Operators should, however, incorporate those inspections and
replacements into their normal maintenance practices.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD rescission by
June 5, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD rescission:
By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 97-ANE-09-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803.
By fax: (781) 238-7055.
[[Page 17036]]
By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov.
You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Spinney, Aerospace
Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
telephone (781) 238-7175; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 97-ANE-09'' in the
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD rescission in light
of those comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Discussion
On April 14, 1997, we issued AD 97-06-13, Amendment 39-9970, Docket
No. 97-ANE-09 (62 FR 23339, April 30, 1997), for RR Model RB211 Trent
892, 884, 877, 875, and 892B series turbofan engines. That AD requires
inspecting and replacing certain angle gearbox and intermediate gearbox
hardware, and on-going repetitive inspections of the magnetic chip
detectors on Trent 800 series engines.
Actions Since Issuing AD 97-06-13
Since issuing AD 97-06-13, we issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on October 25, 1999, to revise the AD to include
additional optional terminating action to the gearbox hardware
inspections, and to extend the intervals for the magnetic chip detector
inspections. The Trent 800 fleet has grown in size and matured in fleet
experience. Based on the current Trent 800 fleet and the service
experience demonstrated since we published the AD and NPRM, the
underlying unsafe conditions no longer justify that AD.
FAA's Conclusions
After reviewing the available data, we determined it is appropriate
to rescind AD 97-06-13 to eliminate the mandate to perform inspections
and hardware replacements. The inspections and hardware replacements
are no longer required to correct an unsafe condition. Operators should
however, incorporate those inspections and replacements into their
normal maintenance schedules. Our determination is based on the
following:
We based AD 97-06-13 on a determination of unsafe conditions on a
fleet of engines that had a total operating experience of 29,000 hours.
Today's fleet of engines has over 1.6 million operating hours, with a
basic in-flight shutdown rate of well below acceptable levels. Fleet
experience does not support the original unsafe condition
determination.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, determined that their AD on the
subject is no longer needed. They withdrew their AD, and they recommend
we do likewise. Rolls-Royce plc, with CAA approval, withdrew the
inspection service bulletins referenced in the AD. The fleet has
completely incorporated the modifications required by AD 97-06-13,
intended to prevent oil leaks.
This proposed action would rescind AD 97-06-13. Rescission of AD
97-06-13 would constitute only such action and if followed by a final
action would not preclude the agency from issuing another action in the
future nor would it commit the agency to any course of action in the
future.
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 have determined that this proposed rescission would not have
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed
rescission 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 that the proposed
rescission:
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); and
3. Would 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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 removing the following
airworthiness directive (AD):
Roll-Royce plc: Docket No. 97-ANE-09; AD 97-06-13; Amendment 39-
9970.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD rescission by June 5, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) This document rescinds AD 97-06-13.
Applicability
(c) This AD rescission applies to Rolls-Royce plc Model RB211
Trent 892, 884, 877, 875, and 892B series turbofan engines.
[[Page 17037]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 30, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4922 Filed 4-4-06; 8:45 am]
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