Discussion
On May 5, 2008, the FAA issued AD 2008-10-14 (Amendment 39-15521 (73 FR 29405, May 21, 2008). That AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of the LP turbine discs stage 2 and stage 3 for corrosion on 45 engines by serial number. That AD was the result of MCAI issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. That condition, if not corrected, could result in the stage 2 or stage 3 disk of the LP turbine to fail and result in an uncontained failure of the engine.
Since AD 2008-10-14 was issued, RRD identified 34 additional engines by serial number that require the same inspections. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0122, dated July 1, 2008. That MCAI extends the applicability to include the 34 additional engine serial numbers for inspections.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Rolls-Royce Deutschland has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. TAY- 72-A1524, Revision 2, dated June 13, 2008. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
Although no airplanes that are registered in the United States use these RRD Tay 650-15 engines, the possibility exists that the engines could be used on airplanes that are registered in the United States in the future. The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other RRD Tay 650-15 engines of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to detect corrosion that could cause the stage 2 or stage 3 disk of the LP turbine to fail and result in an uncontained failure of the engine. This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of the LP turbinediscs stage 2 and stage 3 for corrosion on certain serial number engines. You must use the service information described previously to perform the actions required by this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since no domestic operators use this product, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary. Therefore, we are adopting this regulation immediately.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2007-0037; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-41-AD" at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments receivedby the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
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 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 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 removing Amendment 39-15521 (73 FR29405, May 21, 2008), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-16052, to read as follows: