AD 2012-04-01

This AD is effective March 28, 2012.

For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-245418 or email from http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp, or download the publication from https://www.aeromanager.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-7199; email: alan.strom@faa.gov.

We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2003-16-18, amendment 39-13271 (68 FR 49344, August 18, 2003). That AD applies to the specified products. That SNPRM published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2011 (76 FR 68663). The original NPRM (75 FR 45560, August 3, 2010) proposed to revise the Trent 800 Time limits Manual (TLM) of the Trent 800 engine maintenance manuals (EMMs). The SNPRM proposed to prohibit installation of one certain critical part and to increase the life of another critical part whose lives were previously reduced by that existing AD.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the SNPRM (76 FR 68663, November 7, 2011).

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects about 16 RB211-Trent 800 series turbofan engines of U.S. registry. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour, but no labor cost is associated with this AD because discs are replaced at scheduled maintenance intervals. Prorated cost of parts cost about $45,000 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $720,000.

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.

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),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2003-16-18, Amendment 39-13271 (68 FR 49344, August 18, 2003) and adding the following new AD: