AD 2000-09-14 Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535 Series Turbofan Engines

Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535 series turbofan engines, with radial drive steady bearings with outer race serial number (S/N) prefixes: DLJO, DLJP, DLOQ, DLSK, and DMBA, installed. Affected engines are those that have had a new bearing fitted at overhaul, were new production engines, or had a bearing changed in service between July 26, 1998, and September 30, 1999. These engines are installed on but not limited to Boeing 757 series aircraft and Tupolev Tu204 series aircraft. Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent radial drive steady bearing failure, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown and smoke and fumes in the cabin, accomplish the following: Remove Suspect Bearings (a) Remove from service radial drive steady bearings identified in the applicability paragraph of this AD and replace with serviceable parts as follows: (1) For engines that had the suspect radial drive steady bearings installed during a shop visit or on-wing, remove from service before accumulating 1,700 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, but no later than September 30, 2000. (2) For engines that had the suspect radial drive steady bearings installed in factory production, remove from service before accumulating 2,720 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, but no later than December 31, 2000. Note 2: Rolls-Royce plc Mandatory Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-C930, dated December 22, 1999, provides additional information on identifying and replacing the suspect bearings. Do Not Install Suspect Bearings (b) As of the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following: (1) Do not install radial drive steady bearings from the five affected batches listed in the applicability paragraph of this AD at overhaul, in service, or at new production. (2) If performing an engine change, do not allow two engines that have bearings from any of the five affected batches listed in the applicability paragraph of this AD to be installed on the same airplane. Serviceable Parts (3) For the purpose of this AD, serviceable bearings are those which are not listed in the applicability paragraph of this AD. Current outer race S/N prefix DPSF or alphabetically subsequent prefix is considered serviceable. Alternative Methods of Compliance (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office (ECO). Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, ECO. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the ECO. Ferry Flights (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Effective Date (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 11, 2000. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 5, 2000. David A. Downey, Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 00-11862 Filed 5-11-00; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P