Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13950 · Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Series Turbofan Engines
Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Series Turbofan Engines
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2008-22-24. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce (RR) plc RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 series turbofan engines with low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades with the part numbers (P/Ns) listed in Table 1 of this AD. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 757 and Tupolev Tu204 series airplanes. Table 1 follows:
| UL16135 | UL28602 |
| UL16171 | UL29511 |
| UL16182 | UL29556 |
| UL19643 | UL30817 |
| UL20044 | UL30819 |
| UL20132 | UL30933 |
| UL20616 | UL30935 |
| UL21345 | UL33707 |
| UL22286 | UL33709 |
| UL23122 | UL36992 |
| UL24525 | UL37090 |
| UL24528 | UL37272 |
| UL24530 | UL37274 |
| UL24532 | UL37276 |
| UL24534 | UL37278 |
| UL27992 | UL38029 |
| UL28601 | UL38032 |
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce (RR) plc RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of installed LPC fan blade roots on-wing and during overhaul using a surface wave ultrasonic probe, and relubrication, according to accumulated life cycles. That AD also adds the application of Metco 58 blade root coating as an optional terminating action. This AD requires the same actions, but changes the reference to Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. RB.211-72-C879 from Revision 3 to Revision 4. This AD results from RR issuing MSB No. RB.211-72-C879, Revision 4, which contains revised Accomplishment Instructions and consumable materials list. We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blade roots, which if not detected, could lead to uncontained multiple fan blade failure, and damage to the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done.
(f) If you have a full set of fan blades, modified using RR Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-C946, Revision 2, dated September 26, 2002, that can be identified by a blue triangle etched on the blade airfoil suction surface close to the leading edge tip of each blade, no further action is required.
(g) On RB211-535E4 engines, operated to Flight Profile A, ultrasonically inspect, and if required, relubricate using the following Table 2:
| Engine location | Initial inspection within cycles-since-new (CSN) | Type action | In accordance with | Repeat inspection within (CSN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) On-wing | 17,350 | (i) Root Probe, inspect and relubricate, OR | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(7), dated April 2, 2004 | 1,400 |
| (ii) Wave Probe | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7), dated April 2, 2004 | 1,150 | ||
| (2) In Shop | 17,350 | Root Probe, inspect and relubricate | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(4), dated April 2, 2004 | 1,400 |
(h) On RB211-535E4 engines, operated to Flight Profile B, ultrasonically inspect, and if required, relubricate using the following Table 3:
| Engine location | Initial inspection within (CSN) | Type action | In accordance with | Repeat inspection within (CSN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) On-wing | 12,350 | (i) Root Probe, inspect and relubricate, OR | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(7), dated April 2, 2004 | 850 |
| (ii) Wave Probe | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7), dated April 2, 2004 | 700 | ||
| (2) In Shop | 12,350 | Root Probe, inspect and relubricate | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(4), dated April 2, 2004 | 850 |
(i) On RB211-535E4 engines, operated to combined Flight Profile A and B, ultrasonically inspect, and if required, relubricate using the following Table 4:
| Engine location | Initial inspection within (CSN) | Type action | In accordance with | Repeat inspection within (CSN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) On-wing | 65% hard life (To calculate, see Compliance Section 1.C(4)) | (i) Root Probe, inspect and relubricate, OR | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(7), dated April 2, 2004 | As current flight profile. |
| (ii) Wave Probe | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7), dated April 2, 2004 | As current flight profile. | ||
| (2) In Shop | 65% hard life (To calculate, see Compliance Section 1.C.(4)) | Root Probe, inspect and relubricate | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(4), dated April 2, 2004 | As current flight profile. |
(j) Fan blades that have been operated within RB211-535E4 Flight Profile A and B will have final life as defined in the Time Limits Manual. See References Section 1.G.(3), of MSB RB.211-72-C879, Revision 4, dated April 2, 2004.
(k) On RB211-535E4-B engines, ultrasonically inspect, and if required, relubricate using the following Table 5:
| Engine location | Initial inspection within (CSN) | Type action | In accordance with | Repeat inspection within (CSN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) On-wing | 17,000 | (i) Root Probe, inspect and relubricate, OR | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(7), dated April 2, 2004 | 1,200 |
| (ii) Wave Probe. | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7), dated April 2, 2004 | 1,000 | ||
| (2) In Shop | 17,000 | Root Probe, inspect and relubricate. | RB.211-72-C879 Revision 4, 3.C.(1) through 3.C.(4), dated April 2, 2004 | 1,200 |
Application of Metco 58 blade root coating using RR SB No. RB.211-72-C946, Revision 2, dated September 26, 2002, constitutes terminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements specified in paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (k) of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Engines
