DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-1050; Product Identifier 2017-NE-39-AD; Amendment
39-19393; AD 2018-18-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-710A2-20 and BR700-
710C4-11 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by reports of
deterioration of the intumescent heat resistant paint system on the
electronic engine controller (EEC) firebox assembly that was found to
be beyond acceptable limits. This AD requires replacement of affected
EEC firebox assembly parts with improved parts, which have a more
durable paint system. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 12, 2018.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG, Eschenweg 11, Dahlewitz,
15827 Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 33 7086 2673; fax:
+49 (0) 33 7086 3276. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington,
MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the internet at http://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1050.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1050; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information.
The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC,
20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone:
781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain RRD BR700-710A2-20
and BR700-710C4-11 turbofan engines. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 5963). The NPRM was prompted by
reports of deterioration of the intumescent heat resistant paint system
on the EEC firebox assembly that was found to be beyond acceptable
limits. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of affected EEC
firebox assembly parts with improved parts, which have a more durable
paint system. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2017-0198, dated October 10, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI
states:
Occurrences were reported where deterioration of an Electronic
Engine Controller (EEC) firebox assembly intumescent heat resistant
paint system was found to be beyond acceptable limits. Subsequent
investigation determined that lack of paint adhesion, due to
incorrect surface preparation during manufacturing, had caused this
deterioration.
This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the fire
protection capability of the EEC firebox, possibly leading to
reduced control of an engine during engine fire, engine overspeed
and release of high-energy debris, resulting in damage to, and/or
reduced control of, the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, RRD issued Alert SB
SB-BR700-73-A101977, SB-BR700-73-A101981 and SB-BR700-73-A101985 to
provide modification instructions introducing improved new or reworked
EEC
firebox assembly parts, which have a more durable paint system.
For the reason described above, this AD requires replacement of
affected EEC firebox assembly parts with improved parts.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1050.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. The following presents the comment received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to this comment.
Request To Revise Compliance Time
RRD requested that we align the compliance time of this AD with
EASA AD 2017-0198, dated October 10, 2017, and RRD Alert Service
Bulletins (ASBs) SB-BR700-73-A101977, SB-BR700-73-A101981 and SB-BR700-
73-A101985. RRD suggested that we revise the compliance time of the FAA
AD to meet the end date of the RRD ASBs, which is January 31, 2021.
We agree. The proposed compliance time of 6 months in the NPRM was
an error. We revised the compliance time for performance of the
required actions of this AD to a timeframe consistent with the EASA AD
and the RRD ASBs. The revised compliance time requires performance of
the required actions within 28 months after the effective date of this
AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this final rule with the change described previously and minor
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final
rule.
Related Service Information
We reviewed RRD ASB SB-BR700-73-A101977, Revision 3, dated July 10,
2017; RRD ASB SB-BR700-73-A101981, Revision 3, dated July 10, 2017; and
RRD ASB SB-BR700-73-A101985, Revision 3, dated July 10, 2017. The
service information describes procedures for installing new or reworked
EEC firebox assembly parts for BR700-710A2-20 and BR700-710C4-11
turbofan engines, which includes BR700-710C4-11/10 turbofan engines.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 842 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Cost on U.S. operators |
EEC firebox assembly replacement |
2.5 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $212.50 |
$4,900 |
$5,112.50 |
$4,304,725 |
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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) Will 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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
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):
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