# AD 96-13-04: Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce, plc RB211 Series Turbofan Engines - Type: Airworthiness directive - Effective: September 10, 1996 - Published: July 12, 1996, 61 FR 36622–36624 - Issued as: Final rule - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Amendment: 39-9672 - Docket: 94-ANE-39 - Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/81/59/81590f48f803f436a46bcfda3ecf1b431ae3148392db1e300a36909620aedf10 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1996-07-12/pdf/96-17535.pdf) - Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1996/07/12/96-17535/airworthiness-directives-rolls-royce-plc-rb211-series-turbofan-engines - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/96-13-04 ## Summary This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc RB211 series turbofan engines, that requires removing and replacing the existing rigid low pressure (LP) fuel system tube assembly with a tube assembly having flexible sections and revised clip points to preclude cracking and subsequent fuel leakage. This amendment is prompted by multiple reports of fuel leaks. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a fuel system leak, which could result in rapid atomization of fuel and an engine fire. ## The airworthiness directive ### 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 96-13-04 Rolls-Royce, plc: Amendment 39-9672. Docket 94-ANE-39. Applicability: Rolls-Royce, plc. (R-R) Models RB211-535E4 series and -535E4-B series turbofan engines, prior to engine Serial Number (S/N) 31292, installed on but not limited to Boeing 757 series aircraft. Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the applicability of this AD. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent a fuel system leak, which could result in rapid atomization of fuel and an engine fire, accomplish the following: ### (a) (a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD, remove the existing rigid low pressure (LP) fuel system tube assembly and replace with the new flexible LP fuel system tube design with revised clip points, in accordance with R-R Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994. ### (b) (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office. Note: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office. ### (c) (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. ### (d) (d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance with the following R-R SB: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Document No. Pages Revision Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RB.211-73-B048................ 1-6..... 1........... July 22, 1994. 7,8..... Original.... June 3, 1994. 9-12.... 1........... July 22, 1994. Supplement.................... 1....... 1........... July 22, 1994. Total Pages: 13. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Rolls-Royce, plc, P.O. Box 31, Moor Lane, Derby, DE248BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 1332-249428, fax 1332-249423. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. ### (e) (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 1996. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 11, 1996. James C. Jones, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. ## Rule preamble ### Dates Effective September 10, 1996. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 10, 1996. ### Addresses The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Rolls-Royce, plc, P.O. Box 31, Moor Lane, Derby, DE248BJ, United Kingdom; telephone 1332-249428, fax 1332-249423. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. ### For further information contact Daniel Kerman, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (617) 238-7130, fax (617) 238-7199. ### Supplementary information A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) Models RB211-535E4 series and -535E4-B series turbofan engines was published in the Federal Register on June 26,1995 (60 FR 20189). That action proposed to require replacement of the low pressure (LP) fuel tube assembly in accordance with R-R Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-73-B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994. Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received. One commenter states that as soon as parts were available, R-R undertook incorporation of the modification described in R-R SB No. RB.211-73-B048, Revision 1, dated July 22, 1994, on all engines in production. The commenter states that all engines starting with serial number (S/N) 31292 were delivered with the configuration required by the proposed AD. The commenter proposes that the applicability section be revised to exclude engine S/N's of 31292 and subsequent. The FAA concurs and has revised the applicability section of this final rule accordingly. Two commenters support the rule as proposed. After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD. There are approximately 558 engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 292 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per engine to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,000 per engine. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $327,040. The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES. ### List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air Transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, 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: No proposed rule in this release led to it. Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.