Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16934 · Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535 Series Turbofan Engine
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535 Series Turbofan Engine
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535E4-37, -535E4-B-37, -535E4-B-75, and -535E4-C-37 turbofan engines.
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all RR RB211-535E4-37, -535E4-B-37, -535E4-B-75, and -535E4-C-37 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires performing initial and repetitive visual and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) of the low-pressure (LP) turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs to detect cracks in the discs. This new AD continues to require those inspections and changes the definition of a shop visit to be less restrictive. This AD was prompted by our finding that the definition of shop visit in the existing AD was too restrictive. We are issuing this AD to revise the definition of shop visit and to detect cracks in the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs, which could result in an uncontained release of LP turbine blades and damage to the airplane.
At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual and a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the LP turbine stage 1, 2, and 3 discs.
At each engine shop visit after accumulating 1,500 cycles since the last inspection of the LP turbine stage 1, 2 and 3 discs, repeat the inspections specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
If you find cracks, remove the disc from service.
For the purpose of this AD, an “engine shop visit” is induction of an engine into the shop for any purpose where:
(1) All the blades are removed from the high-pressure (HP) compressor discs and the HP turbine disc, or
(2) All the blades are removed from the intermediate pressure turbine disc.
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
