AD 2008-18-08 Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 500, 700, and 800 Series Turbofan Engines

This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 560-61, 560A2-61, 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A330, A340-500, A340-600, and Boeing 777 series airplanes. Reason (d) This action is necessary following the discovery of IP Compressor Rotor rear balance land cracking on an in-service Trent 800 engine. Stress analysis of the damaged rotor has shown a possible threat to the rotor integrity, the cracking therefore presents a potential unsafe condition. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. We are issuing this AD to detect cracking on the intermediate pressure (IP) compressor rotor rear balance land. IP compressor rotor rear balance land cracking can lead to uncontained failure of the rotor and damage to the airplane.

Unless already done, do the following actions: Inspection—On-Wing (1) Applicable to RR Trent 800 engines not previously inspected per Rolls-Royce RB211 Propulsion System Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AF260, Revision 2, dated July 4, 2007; or earlier issue: Within 400 flight cycles of the Effective Date of this AD inspect the IP Compressor rotor rear balance land for cracks in accordance with Rolls-Royce RB211 Propulsion System Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AF313, dated February 22, 2007 section 3 Accomplishment Instructions. Engines on which cracking is found should be rejected from service. Inspection—In-Shop (2) Applicable to RR Trent 500, 700 and 800 engines at each shop visit in which the engine is sufficiently disassembled to access the IP Compressor Module rear face: Inspect the IP Compressor rotor rear balance land for cracks in accordance with Rolls-Royce RB211 Propulsion System Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AF260, Revision 2, dated July 4, 2007; or earlier issue section 3 Accomplishment Instructions. Other FAA AD Provisions (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (g) Refer to EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0052, dated February 23, 2007, for related information. (h) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: james.lawrence@faa.gov ; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; telephone: 44 (0) 1332-242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332-249936. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . Table 1—Material Incorporated by Reference Alert Service Bulletin No. Page Revision Date RB.211-72-AF260; Total pages—11 ALL Original October 17, 2006. RB.211-72-AF260; Total pages—11 ALL 1 January 17, 2007. RB.211-72-AF260; Total pages—11 ALL 2 July 4, 2007. RB.211-72-AF313; Total pages—11 ALL Original February 22, 2007. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 25, 2008. Mark A. Rumizen, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-20212 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions: Inspection—On-Wing (1) Applicable to RR Trent 800 engines not previously inspected per Rolls-Royce RB211 Propulsion System Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AF260, Revision 2, dated July 4, 2007; or earlier issue: Within 400 flight cycles of the Effective Date of this AD inspect the IP Compressor rotor rear balance land for cracks in accordance with Rolls-Royce RB211 Propulsion System Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AF313, dated February 22, 2007 section 3 Accomplishment Instructions. Engines on which cracking is found should be rejected from service. Inspection—In-Shop (2) Applicable to RR Trent 500, 700 and 800 engines at each shop visit in which the engine is sufficiently disassembled to access the IP Compressor Module rear face: Inspect the IP Compressor rotor rear balance land for cracks in accordance with Rolls-Royce RB211 Propulsion System Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin RB.211-72-AF260, Revision 2, dated July 4, 2007; or earlier issue section 3 Accomplishment Instructions. Other FAA AD Provisions (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (g) Refer to EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0052, dated February 23, 2007, for related information. (h) Contact James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: james.lawrence@faa.gov ; telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; telephone: 44 (0) 1332-242424; fax: 44 (0) 1332-249936. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . Table 1—Material Incorporated by Reference Alert Service Bulletin No. Page Revision Date RB.211-72-AF260; Total pages—11 ALL Original October 17, 2006. RB.211-72-AF260; Total pages—11 ALL 1 January 17, 2007. RB.211-72-AF260; Total pages—11 ALL 2 July 4, 2007. RB.211-72-AF313; Total pages—11 ALL Original February 22, 2007. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 25, 2008. Mark A. Rumizen, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-20212 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P