Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16037 · Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4 Series Turbofan Engines
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4 Series Turbofan Engines
This AD applies to RR models RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 turbofan engines that don't incorporate RR Service Bulletin (SB) RB.211-72-8045. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 757 and Tupolev Tu204 airplanes.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for RR RB211-535E4 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the outer combustion case for cracks and possible removal if cracks are found. This AD requires the same inspections, but requires using RR Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999. This AD results from the FAA approving Revision 3 to the MSB, which adds an alternative eddy current inspection (ECI) method. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained outer combustion case burst, which could result in 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.
Perform an initial inspection of the outer combustion casing. Use the Accomplishment Instructions paragraph 3.B. or paragraph 3.C. of RR MSB RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999, and the following compliance schedules:
(1) For cases with 1,500 or fewer cycles-since-new (CSN) on the effective date of this AD, inspect before accumulating 1,500 CSN.
(2) For cases with more than 1,500 CSN on the effective date of this AD, inspect within 50 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective date of this AD.
(3) If you detect any cracks of 1.5 inches or more in length, replace the case before further flight.
Thereafter, inspect cases at the following intervals. Use the Accomplishment Instructions paragraph 3.B. or paragraph 3.C. of RR MSB RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999.
(1) Inspect within 500 cycles-since-last inspection (CSLI) if you detected no cracks during the last inspection.
(2) Inspect within 100 CSLI if you detected cracks less than or equal to 0.5 inch in length during the last inspection.
(3) Inspect within 50 CSLI if you detected cracks greater than 0.5 inch but less than 1.5 inches in length.
Cases inspected before the effective date of this AD using RB.211-72-7775, Revision 2, dated February 27, 1998, or earlier issue, meet the requirements of this AD for the initial or repetitive inspections specified in paragraphs (f) through (f)(3) and (g) through (g)(3) 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.
