Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation Turboshaft Engines, 15474-15476 [2017-06174]
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15474
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 29, 2017 / Proposed Rules
would include more candidates in
general election presidential and vice
presidential debates.’’ 80 FR at 72617.
As the Commission explained, ‘‘The
rule at section 110.13(c) . . . is not
intended to maximize the number of
debate participants; it is intended to
ensure that staging organizations do not
select participants in such a way that
the costs of a debate constitute corporate
contributions to the candidates taking
part.’’ Id. That is the only basis on
which the Commission is authorized to
regulate in this area. The Commission
has no independent statutory basis for
regulating the number of candidates
who participate in debates, and the
merits or drawbacks of increasing such
participation—except to the limited
extent that they implicate federal
campaign finance law — are policy
questions outside the Commission’s
jurisdiction.
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Conclusion
The evidence presented to the
Commission in the petition and
comments on the impracticability of
independent candidates reaching the
15% threshold and on the unreliability
of polling do not lead the Commission
to conclude that the CPD’s use of such
a threshold for selecting debate
participants is per se subjective, so as to
require initiating a rulemaking to amend
11 CFR 110.13(c). While the reports by
Dr. Young and Mr. Schoen, in addition
to the historical polling and campaign
finance data presented with the petition,
demonstrate certain challenges that
independent candidates may face when
seeking the presidency, these
submissions do not demonstrate either
that the threshold is so high that only
Democratic and Republican nominees
could reasonably achieve it, or that the
threshold is intended to result in the
selection of those nominees to
participate in the debates.
For all of the above reasons, in
addition to the reasons discussed in the
Notice of Disposition published in 2015,
see Candidate Debates, 80 FR 72616,
and because the Commission has
determined that further pursuit of a
rulemaking would not be a prudent use
of available Commission resources, see
11 CFR 200.5(e), the Commission
declines to commence a rulemaking that
would amend the criteria for staging
candidate debates in 11 CFR 110.13(c)
to prohibit the use of a polling threshold
to determine participation in
presidential general election debates.
On behalf of the Commission,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:10 Mar 28, 2017
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Dated: March 23, 2017.
Steven T. Walther,
Chairman, Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 2017–06150 Filed 3–28–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2011–0961; Directorate
Identifier 2011–NE–22–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce
Corporation Turboshaft Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to supersede
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015–02–
22, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce
Corporation (RRC) model 250 turboprop
and turboshaft engines. AD 2015–02–22
currently requires repetitive visual
inspections and fluorescent-penetrant
inspection (FPIs) on certain 3rd-stage
and 4th-stage turbine wheels for cracks
in the turbine wheel blades. Since we
issued AD 2015–02–22, we determined
that it is necessary to remove the 4thstage wheels at the next inspection. We
are also proposing to revise the
applicability to remove all RRC
turboprop engines and add additional
turboshaft engines. This proposed AD
would require repetitive visual
inspections and FPIs of 3rd-stage
turbine wheels while removing from
service 4th-stage turbine wheels. We are
proposing this AD to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by May 15, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2011–
0961; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Office
(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300
E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018;
phone: 847–294–8180; fax: 847–294–
7834; email: john.m.tallarovic@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this NPRM. Send your comments to an
address listed under the ADDRESSES
section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
2011–0961; Directorate Identifier 2011–
NE–22–AD’’ at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this NPRM. We will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this NPRM
because of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this NPRM.
Discussion
On January 20, 2015, we issued AD
2015–02–22, Amendment 39–18090 (80
FR 5452, February 2, 2015), (‘‘AD 2015–
02–22’’), for certain RRC 250–B17,
–B17B, –B17C, –B17D, –B17E, –B17F,
–B17F/1, –B17F/2, turboprop engines;
and 250–C20, –C20B, –C20F, –C20J,
–C20R, –C20R/1, –C20R/2, –C20R/4,
–C20S, and –C20W turboshaft engines.
Note that, for the purposes of this
proposed AD, we now consider the RRC
250–C20S engine a turboprop engine.
RRC engine type certificate data sheet
No. E4CE, Revision 42, dated June 29,
2010, classifies it as a turboshaft engine,
but then clarifies in Note 11 that it
functions as a turboprop engine.
AD 2015–02–22 requires repetitive
visual inspections and FPIs on certain
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 29, 2017 / Proposed Rules
proposed AD. Additionally, we
determined two additional part number
turbine wheels are susceptible to the
unsafe condition and are being included
in this proposed AD.
3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheels.
AD 2015–02–22 resulted from the
determination that the one-time
inspections required by AD 2012–14–06
(77 FR 40479, July 10, 2012) should be
changed to repetitive inspections. We
issued AD 2015–02–22 to prevent
failure of 3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine
wheel blades, damage to the engine, and
damage to the aircraft.
Actions Since AD 2015–02–22 Was
Issued
FAA’s Determination
We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all the relevant information
and determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop in other products of the same
type design.
Since we issued AD 2015–02–22, we
determined that it is necessary to
remove the 4th-stage wheels at the next
inspection, before the scheduled life
limit for these wheels. We also
determined that the RRC turboprop
engines are not susceptible to the unsafe
condition and therefore do not require
inspection or removal. We are,
therefore, not including RRC turboprop
engines in the applicability of this
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would retain
certain requirements of AD 2015–02–22.
This proposed AD would revise the
requirement for the initial inspection
from 1,750 hours since last inspection
(HSLI) to 1,775 hours since last visual
inspection and FPI or before the next
flight after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later. Based on
discussions with the manufacturer, we
found that 1,775 hours since last visual
inspection and FPI is an appropriate
interval. We are also requiring
inspections for additional part number
wheels: (P/N) RR30000236 for the 3rdstage turbine wheel and P/N
RR30000240 for the 4th-stage turbine
wheel.
This proposed AD would continue to
require repetitive inspections of 3rdstage turbine wheels. This proposed AD
would also require removing from
service 4th-stage turbine wheels at a
reduced life limit. In addition, this
proposed AD would add RRC 250–
C300/A1 and 250–C300/B1 turboshaft
engines in the applicability.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
affects 3,769 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to
comply with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Inspect 3rd-stage wheels,
23065818 or RR30000236.
Replace 4th-stage wheel,
RR30000240.
Labor cost
part
number
P/N
23055944
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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 AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:10 Mar 28, 2017
Jkt 241001
(P/N)
or
1 work-hour × $85 per
hour = $85.
0 work-hours × $85 per
hour = $0.
$0 .....................................
$5,653 (pro-rated cost of
part).
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 regulation:
(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 to the extent that it justifies
making a regulatory distinction, 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4702
Cost per
product
Parts cost
Sfmt 4702
Cost on U.S.
operators
$85
$320,365
$5,653
$21,306,157
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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by
removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2015–02–22, Amendment 39–18090 (80
FR 5452, February 2, 2015), and adding
the following new AD:
■
Rolls-Royce Corporation: Docket No. FAA–
2011–0961; Directorate Identifier 2011–
NE–22–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
AD action by May 15, 2017.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 2015–02–22, Amendment 39–18090 (80
FR 5452, February 2, 2015).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce
Corporation (RRC) 250–C20, –C20B, –C20F,
–C20J, –C20R, –C20R/1, –C20R/2, –C20R/4,
–C20W, –C300/A1, and –C300/B1 turboshaft
engines with either a 3rd-stage turbine wheel,
part number (P/N) 23065818 or RR30000236,
or a 4th-stage turbine wheel, P/N 23055944
or RR30000240, installed.
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 29, 2017 / Proposed Rules
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 7250, Turbine Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by in-service
turbine wheel blade failures that revealed the
need for changes to the inspections of certain
3rd-stage turbine wheels and removal from
service of certain 4th-stage turbine wheels.
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the 3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheel
blades, damage to the engine, and damage to
the aircraft.
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(1) Within 1,775 hours since last visual
inspection and fluorescent-penetrant
inspection (FPI) or before the next flight after
the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later:
(i) Remove 3rd-stage turbine wheels, P/N
23065818, and perform a visual inspection
and an FPI on the removed turbine wheels
for cracks at the trailing edge of the turbine
blades, near the fillet at the rim.
(ii) Thereafter, re-inspect the affected
turbine wheels every 1,775 hours since last
inspection (HSLI).
(2) Within 2,025 hours after the effective
date of this AD:
(i) Remove 3rd-stage turbine wheels, P/N
RR30000236, and perform a visual inspection
and an FPI on the removed turbine wheels
for cracks at the trailing edge of the turbine
blades, near the fillet at the rim.
(ii) Thereafter, re-inspect the turbine
wheels every 2,025 HSLI.
(3) Any time the power turbine is
disassembled, perform a visual inspection
and an FPI on 3rd-stage turbine wheels, P/
N 23065818 or P/N RR30000236, for cracks
at the trailing edge of the turbine blades, near
the fillet at the rim.
(4) Do not return to service any turbine
wheels found to have cracks.
(5) Within 1,775 HSLI, or at the next
engine shop visit, whichever occurs later,
remove 4th-stage turbine wheels, P/N
23055944, from service.
(6) Within 2,025 HSLI, or at the next
engine shop visit, whichever occurs later,
remove 4th-stage turbine wheels, P/N
RR30000240, from service.
(g) Definition
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Commander John Downing, Sector
Charleston Office of Waterways
Management, Coast Guard; telephone
(843) 740–3184, email John.Z.Downing@
uscg.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on
March 17, 2017.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
I. Table of Abbreviations
[FR Doc. 2017–06174 Filed 3–28–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
(f) Compliance
For the purpose of this AD, ‘‘engine shop
visit’’ is the induction of an engine into the
shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine
flanges, except that the separation of engine
flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation without subsequent engine
maintenance does not constitute an engine
shop visit.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
The Manager, Chicago Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, may approve
AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact John Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018;
phone: 847–294–8180; fax: 847–294–7834;
email: john.m.tallarovic@faa.gov.
16:10 Mar 28, 2017
Jkt 241001
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG–2017–0121]
RIN 1625–AA00
Safety Zone; Tall Ships Charleston,
Cooper River, Charleston, SC
Coast Guard, DHS.
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Coast Guard proposes to
establish a temporary safety zone on the
waters of the Cooper River in
Charleston, South Carolina. This
proposed safety zone is necessary to
provide for the safety of participant
vessels, and the general public during
Tall Ships Charleston, an event allowing
for public tours of tall ships (large
sailing vessels) from various countries
while at the docks of Veterans Terminal
on the Cooper River in Charleston,
South Carolina. This rule is intended to
prohibit persons and vessels from
entering, transiting through, anchoring
in, or remaining within the safety zone
unless authorized by the Captain of the
Port Charleston or a designated
representative. We invite your
comments on this proposed rulemaking.
DATES: Comments and related material
must be received by the Coast Guard on
or before April 28, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
2017–0121 using the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov. See the ‘‘Public
Participation and Request for
Comments’’ portion of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
further instructions on submitting
comments.
SUMMARY:
If
you have questions about this proposed
rulemaking, call or email Lieutenant
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
E.O. Executive order
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Pub. L. Public Law
§ Section
U.S.C. United States Code
COTP Captain of the Port
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal
Basis
On December 1, 2016, Tall Ships
Charleston notified the Coast Guard that
they will be sponsoring the Tall Ships
Charleston event on May 18, 2017
through May 21, 2017. Approximately
10,000 spectators are anticipated to
participate in the public tours of tall
ships (large sailing vessels) at the
Veterans Terminal on the Cooper River
in Charleston, South Carolina. The
Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP)
has determined that the potential
hazards associated with public tours of
these tall ships constitute a safety
concern for anyone within the proposed
safety zone. The purpose of the rule is
to ensure the safety of life on the
navigable waters of the Cooper River
during the scheduled event. The Coast
Guard proposes this rulemaking under
authority in 33 U.S.C. 1231.
III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The Coast Guard proposes to establish
a temporary safety zone on the waters of
the Cooper River in Charleston, South
Carolina, during Tall Ships Charleston
from May 18 through May 21, 2017. The
duration of the safety zone is intended
to ensure the safety of life on the
navigable waters of the Cooper River at
Veterans Terminal before, during, and
after the schedule public touring event.
No person or vessel would be permitted
to enter, transit through, anchor in, or
remain within the proposed safety zone
without obtaining permission from the
COTP or a designated representative.
The regulatory text we are proposing
appears at the end of this document.
The Coast Guard will provide notice of
the safety zone by Local Notice to
Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners,
and on-scene designated
representatives.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed rule after
considering numerous statutes and
executive orders related to rulemaking.
E:\FR\FM\29MRP1.SGM
29MRP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 29, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15474-15476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06174]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0961; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-22-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Corporation Turboshaft
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-02-
22, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) model 250
turboprop and turboshaft engines. AD 2015-02-22 currently requires
repetitive visual inspections and fluorescent-penetrant inspection
(FPIs) on certain 3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheels for cracks in
the turbine wheel blades. Since we issued AD 2015-02-22, we determined
that it is necessary to remove the 4th-stage wheels at the next
inspection. We are also proposing to revise the applicability to remove
all RRC turboprop engines and add additional turboshaft engines. This
proposed AD would require repetitive visual inspections and FPIs of
3rd-stage turbine wheels while removing from service 4th-stage turbine
wheels. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 15, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2011-
0961; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des
Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-8180; fax: 847-294-7834; email:
john.m.tallarovic@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0961;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-22-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this NPRM.
Discussion
On January 20, 2015, we issued AD 2015-02-22, Amendment 39-18090
(80 FR 5452, February 2, 2015), (``AD 2015-02-22''), for certain RRC
250-B17, -B17B, -B17C, -B17D, -B17E, -B17F, -B17F/1, -B17F/2, turboprop
engines; and 250-C20, -C20B, -C20F, -C20J, -C20R, -C20R/1, -C20R/2, -
C20R/4, -C20S, and -C20W turboshaft engines. Note that, for the
purposes of this proposed AD, we now consider the RRC 250-C20S engine a
turboprop engine. RRC engine type certificate data sheet No. E4CE,
Revision 42, dated June 29, 2010, classifies it as a turboshaft engine,
but then clarifies in Note 11 that it functions as a turboprop engine.
AD 2015-02-22 requires repetitive visual inspections and FPIs on
certain
[[Page 15475]]
3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheels. AD 2015-02-22 resulted from the
determination that the one-time inspections required by AD 2012-14-06
(77 FR 40479, July 10, 2012) should be changed to repetitive
inspections. We issued AD 2015-02-22 to prevent failure of 3rd-stage
and 4th-stage turbine wheel blades, damage to the engine, and damage to
the aircraft.
Actions Since AD 2015-02-22 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2015-02-22, we determined that it is necessary
to remove the 4th-stage wheels at the next inspection, before the
scheduled life limit for these wheels. We also determined that the RRC
turboprop engines are not susceptible to the unsafe condition and
therefore do not require inspection or removal. We are, therefore, not
including RRC turboprop engines in the applicability of this proposed
AD. Additionally, we determined two additional part number turbine
wheels are susceptible to the unsafe condition and are being included
in this proposed AD.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2015-02-
22. This proposed AD would revise the requirement for the initial
inspection from 1,750 hours since last inspection (HSLI) to 1,775 hours
since last visual inspection and FPI or before the next flight after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Based on
discussions with the manufacturer, we found that 1,775 hours since last
visual inspection and FPI is an appropriate interval. We are also
requiring inspections for additional part number wheels: (P/N)
RR30000236 for the 3rd-stage turbine wheel and P/N RR30000240 for the
4th-stage turbine wheel.
This proposed AD would continue to require repetitive inspections
of 3rd-stage turbine wheels. This proposed AD would also require
removing from service 4th-stage turbine wheels at a reduced life limit.
In addition, this proposed AD would add RRC 250-C300/A1 and 250-C300/B1
turboshaft engines in the applicability.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3,769 engines installed
on airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect 3rd-stage wheels, part 1 work-hour x $85 per $0................... $85 $320,365
number (P/N) 23065818 or hour = $85.
RR30000236.
Replace 4th-stage wheel, P/N 0 work-hours x $85 $5,653 (pro-rated $5,653 $21,306,157
23055944 or RR30000240. per hour = $0. cost of part).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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
regulation:
(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 to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2015-02-22, Amendment 39-18090 (80 FR 5452, February 2, 2015), and
adding the following new AD:
Rolls-Royce Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2011-0961; Directorate
Identifier 2011-NE-22-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by May 15, 2017.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-02-22,
Amendment 39-18090 (80 FR 5452, February 2, 2015).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) 250-C20, -C20B,
-C20F, -C20J, -C20R, -C20R/1, -C20R/2, -C20R/4, -C20W, -C300/A1, and
-C300/B1 turboshaft engines with either a 3rd-stage turbine wheel,
part number (P/N) 23065818 or RR30000236, or a 4th-stage turbine
wheel, P/N 23055944 or RR30000240, installed.
[[Page 15476]]
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by in-service turbine wheel blade failures
that revealed the need for changes to the inspections of certain
3rd-stage turbine wheels and removal from service of certain 4th-
stage turbine wheels. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the 3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheel blades, damage to the
engine, and damage to the aircraft.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) Within 1,775 hours since last visual inspection and
fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPI) or before the next flight
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later:
(i) Remove 3rd-stage turbine wheels, P/N 23065818, and perform a
visual inspection and an FPI on the removed turbine wheels for
cracks at the trailing edge of the turbine blades, near the fillet
at the rim.
(ii) Thereafter, re-inspect the affected turbine wheels every
1,775 hours since last inspection (HSLI).
(2) Within 2,025 hours after the effective date of this AD:
(i) Remove 3rd-stage turbine wheels, P/N RR30000236, and perform
a visual inspection and an FPI on the removed turbine wheels for
cracks at the trailing edge of the turbine blades, near the fillet
at the rim.
(ii) Thereafter, re-inspect the turbine wheels every 2,025 HSLI.
(3) Any time the power turbine is disassembled, perform a visual
inspection and an FPI on 3rd-stage turbine wheels, P/N 23065818 or
P/N RR30000236, for cracks at the trailing edge of the turbine
blades, near the fillet at the rim.
(4) Do not return to service any turbine wheels found to have
cracks.
(5) Within 1,775 HSLI, or at the next engine shop visit,
whichever occurs later, remove 4th-stage turbine wheels, P/N
23055944, from service.
(6) Within 2,025 HSLI, or at the next engine shop visit,
whichever occurs later, remove 4th-stage turbine wheels, P/N
RR30000240, from service.
(g) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, ``engine shop visit'' is the
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that the
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation without subsequent engine maintenance does not
constitute an engine shop visit.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19
to make your request.
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact John Tallarovic,
Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300
E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-8180; fax: 847-
294-7834; email: john.m.tallarovic@faa.gov.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 17, 2017.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06174 Filed 3-28-17; 8:45 am]
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