Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16969 · Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Turbofan Engines
Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Turbofan Engines
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2013-19-21. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211-524G2-T-19, -524G3-T-19, -524H-T-36, and -524H2-T-19; and RB211-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61; RB211-Trent 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60; and RB211-Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines that have a high-pressure (HP) compressor stage 1 to 4 rotor disc with a part number (P/N) listed in Table 1 of this AD.
| Engine model | HP compressor stage 1 to 4 rotor disc P/N |
|---|---|
| (1) RB211-524G2-T-19, -524G3-T-19, -524H-T-36, and -524H2-T-19 | FW20195, FK25502, or FW23711. |
| (2) RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 | FK30524. |
| (3) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 | FK22745, FK24031, FK26185, FK23313, FK25502, FK32129, FW20195, FW20196, FW20197, FW20638, or FW23711. |
| (4) RB211 Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 | FK24009, FK26167, FK32580, FW11590, or FW61622. |
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all RR model RB211-524G2-T-19, -524G3-T-19, -524H-T-36, and -524H2- T-19; and RB211-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61; RB211-Trent 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60; and RB211-Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895- 17 turbofan engines that have a high-pressure (HP) compressor stage 1 to 4 rotor disc with a part number (P/N) listed in Table 1 of the AD. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the axial dovetail slots, and follow-on corrective action depending on findings. Since we issued that AD, we determined that the definition of shop visit is too restrictive in the existing AD. This continues to require those repetitive inspections and follow-on corrective actions. This new AD changes the definition of a shop visit to be less restrictive. This AD was prompted by our determination that the definition of "shop visit" in the existing AD is too restrictive, in that it would require operators to inspect more often than required to ensure safety. We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in the HP compressor stage 1 and 2 disc posts, which could result in failure of the disc post and HP compressor blades, release of uncontained engine debris, and damage to the airplane.
(1) Clean and perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the HP compressor stage 1 to 4 rotor discs at the first shop visit after accumulating 1,000 cycles since new on the stage 1 to 4 rotor discs or at the next shop visit after the effective date of this AD, which ever occurs later.
(2) Use paragraph 3.A through 3.E.(11) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-72-AF964, Revision 2, dated June 8, 2011, to do the inspections.
(3) Thereafter at every engine shop visit, perform the inspection specified by paragraph (f) of this AD.
For the purpose of this AD, an “engine shop visit” is whenever all compressor blades are removed from the HP compressor drum.
A cleaning and inspection performed before the effective date of this AD using Rolls-Royce ASB No. RB.211-72-AF964, Revision 1, dated June 6, 2008, or Revision 2, dated June 8, 2011, satisfies a cleaning and inspection cycle required by 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.
