Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines, 11897-11899 [2025-03988]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 48 (Thursday, March 13, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11897-11899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03988]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2544; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00569-E; 
Amendment 39-22975; AD 2025-05-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-06-06 
for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent7000-72 
and Trent7000-72C engines. AD 2024-06-06 required revising the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the operator's existing 
approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and limitations and 
associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. Since the 
FAA issued AD 2024-06-06, the manufacturer has revised the engine time 
limits manual (TLM) to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts, which prompted this AD. This AD requires revising the ALS of the 
existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 17, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 17, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2544; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and

[[Page 11898]]

5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu.
     You may view this material at the Operational Safety 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 
222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2024-2544.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2024-06-06, Amendment 39-22711 (89 FR 
26755, April 16, 2024), (AD 2024-06-06). AD 2024-06-06 applied to all 
RRD Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. AD 2024-06-06 
required revising the ALS of the operator's existing approved engine 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds and 
intervals for life-limited parts. The FAA issued AD 2024-06-06 to 
prevent failure of critical rotating parts, which, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, 
and loss of the airplane.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2024 (89 
FR 95139). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0041, dated February 
9, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0041) (also referred to as 
the MCAI). The MCAI states that the manufacturer published a revised 
engine TLM to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and limitations 
and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2544.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and 
determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. 
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0041, which specifies revising the 
ALS of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 54 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $4,590
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA has determined that 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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

[[Page 11899]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2024-06-06, Amendment 39-22711 (89 
FR 26755, April 16, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2025-05-03 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22975; 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2544; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00569-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 17, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2024-06-06, Amendment 39-22711 (89 FR 26755, 
April 16, 2024).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
(Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the engine 
time limits manual to introduce new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited 
parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of critical 
rotating parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2024-0041, dated February 9, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0041).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0041

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0041 defines the AMP as the approved 
Aircraft Maintenance Programme containing the tasks on the basis of 
which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure the 
continuing airworthiness of each operated engine, this AD defines 
the AMP as the aircraft maintenance program containing the tasks on 
the basis of which the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure 
the continuing airworthiness of each operated airplane.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0041 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), 
(2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0041.
    (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0041 specifies ``Within 
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved 
AMP,'' replace that text with ``Within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) 
of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable.''
    (5) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2024-0041.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After performing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as 
specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2024-0041.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the AIR-520 Continued 
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0041, 
dated February 9, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at FAA, Operational Safety 
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-
5110.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on February 25, 2025.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03988 Filed 3-12-25; 8:45 am]
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