AD 2003-16-18

This AD becomes effective September 22, 2003.

You may get the service information identified in this AD from Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31 Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 011-44-1332-242424; fax 011-44-1332-249936.

You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299, telephone (781) 238-7176; fax (781) 238-7199.

The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies to RR RB211 Trent 875-17, Trent 877-17, Trent 884-17, Trent 892-17, Trent 892B-17, and Trent 895-17 turbofan engines with IP turbine discs, P/Ns FK21117 and FK33083 installed. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on May 7, 2003 (68 FR 24383). That action proposed to require removal from service of these IP turbine discs based on newly established reduced turbine disc life limits. Information on the reduced life limits may be found in Rolls-Royce Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) RB.211-72-E058, dated January 14, 2003.

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

One commenter requests that a reference to RR MSB RB.211-72-E058, dated January 14, 2003, be included in the final rule. The commenter believes that the reference to the MSB is necessary for traceability to the AD.

The FAA agrees. The MSB reference is included in the Supplementary Information paragraph and in Compliance paragraph (f)(1) of the AD.

One commenter states that the new life limits specified in the AD are being included in the Trent 800 Time Limits Manual (Chapter 5); therefore, the AD is unnecessary to mandate the new reduced life limits.

The FAA does not agree. Although the new life limits are being included in the Trent 800 Time Limits Manual, the reduced life limits are not enforceable unless mandated by an AD. Accordingly, the FAA will not change the AD based on this comment.

We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. That regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. The material previously was included in each individual AD. Since the material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

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 this AD:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866;

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under 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-08-AD” in your request.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):