The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain SNs of RRD Model Tay 650-15 turbofan engines. The LBA advises that the LP turbine stage 2 rotor discs and LP turbine stage 3 rotor discs of seventeen Tay 650-15 turbofan engines have been found to have excessive corrosion. RRD has determined that this excessive corrosion is the result of the specific environment in which these engines operate. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections for corrosion of low pressure (LP) turbine stage 2 rotor discs and LP turbine stage 3 rotor discs on certain SNs of engines. Because disc deterioration may already have begun, repetitive inspections are also required if any affected disc is removed from the corrosive environment and put in service in a noncorrosive environment. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent uncontained LP turbine stage2 rotor disc or LP turbine stage 3 rotor disc failure due to excessive corrosion, and damage to the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
The LBA issued AD 2002-287, dated October 17, 2002, in order to assure the airworthiness of these RRD Model Tay 650-15 turbofan engines in Germany.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
Although none of these affected disc SNs are used on any airplanes that are registered in the United States, the possibility exists that these disc SNs could be installed into engines used on airplanes that are registered in the United States in the future. Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other RRD Tay 650-15 turbofan engines of the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent uncontained LP turbine stage 2 rotor disc or LP turbine stage 3 rotor disc failure due to excessive corrosion, and damage to the airplane. For engine SNs 17251, 17255, 17256, 17273, 17275, 17280, 17281, 17282, 17300, 17301, 17327, 17332, 17365, 17393, 17437, 17563, and 17618, this AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of LP turbine stage 2 rotor discs and LP turbine stage 3 rotor discs for corrosion.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
This engine model is manufactured in Germany, and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Immediate Adoption of This AD
Since none of these affected engine SNs are used on any airplanes that are registered in the United States, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary. Therefore, a situation exists that allows the immediate adoption of this regulation.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD
On July 10, 2002, we issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs our AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include "AD Docket No. 2003-NE-06-AD" in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts us through a nonwritten communication, and that contact relates to a substantive part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those comments.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of our communications with you. You may get more information about plain language at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi- bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.plainlangu age.gov.
Regulatory Findings
We have 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 the 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); 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include "AD Docket No. 2003-NE-06-AD" in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.
39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: