Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15725 · Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 Turbofan Engines
Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 Turbofan Engines
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines that have not incorporated RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-D733, dated August 21, 2002, or Revision 1 of that SB, dated March 6, 2008. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A340-500 and -600 series airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as affecting only RB211 Trent 500 series turbofan engines that have not incorporated Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-D733, dated August 21, 2002, or Revision 1 of that SB, dated March 6, 2008, as follows:
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 5 flight cycles, on engines installed or not installed, carry out the initial borescope inspection of the IP turbine blade outer shroud dust caps, using Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions of RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-72-AF994, Revision 1, dated September 1, 2008.
(2) Thereafter, depending on the results of the inspection specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, follow the appropriate action in the following Table 1:
| Results of Borescope inspection | Actions that must be carried out |
|---|---|
| (i) Total number of IP turbine blade outer shroud dust caps lifting is 0 | At intervals not to exceed 100 cycles, re-inspect the dust caps using Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions of Rolls-Royce plc ASB No. RB.211-72-AF994, Revision 1, dated September 1, 2008. |
| (ii) Total number of IP turbine blade outer shroud dust caps lifting exceeds 0 but is equal to or fewer than 10 | At intervals not to exceed 20 cycles, re-inspect the dust caps using Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions of Rolls-Royce plc ASB No. RB.211-72-AF994, Revision 1, dated September 1, 2008. |
| (iii) Total number of IP turbine blade outer shroud dust caps lifting exceeds 10 but is equal to or fewer than 20 | At intervals not to exceed 10 cycles, re-inspect the dust caps using Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions of Rolls-Royce plc ASB No. RB.211-72-AF994, Revision 1, dated September 1, 2008. |
| (iv) Total number of IP turbine blade outer shroud dust caps lifting exceeds 20 | Within 10 cycles, remove the engine from service and install core restrictor plugs in the IP turbine blade roots, using Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions of RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-D733, Revision 1, dated March 6, 2008. |
| (v) Total number of IP turbine blade outer shroud dust caps missing exceeds 1 | Before further flight, remove the engine from service and install core restrictor plugs in the IP turbine blade roots, using Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions of RR SB No. RB.211-72-D733, Revision 1, dated March 6, 2008. |
This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD by requiring the initial borescope inspection to be done within 5 flight cycles. The MCAI required the initial inspection to be done before July 1, 2008, which has already passed.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
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.
