Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17478 · Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2014-16-10. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by low-pressure (LP) compressor blade partial airfoil release events. This AD requires a one-time ultrasonic inspection of LP compressor blades that had accumulated more than 2,500 flight cycles (FC) since new. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, engine damage, and damage to the airplane.
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(i) For engines with LP compressor blades that have 2,500 flight cycles (FC) or more since new or since last inspection using RR Non-Mandatory Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, perform an ultrasonic inspection of each LP compressor blade within 500 FC or within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is sooner.
(ii) Use paragraphs 3.C through 3.H of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013, to do the inspection.
(iii) You may do the on-wing phased array ultrasonic inspection added by NMSB RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013, and included in NMSB RB.211-72-H311, without removing the blades from the engine for the inspection.
(i) For engines with LP compressor blades installed and identified by S/N in Appendix 1 of RR NMSB RB.211-72-H311, dated March 8, 2013, and that have, on the effective date of this AD, accumulated 2,500 FC since new or since last inspection using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, perform an ultrasonic inspection of each LP compressor blade.
(ii) The inspection, either on-wing or in-shop, must be performed within 500 FC or 10 months, whichever is sooner, after the effective date of this AD.
(iii) Use paragraphs 3.C through 3.H of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR NMSB RB.211-72-H311, dated March 8, 2013, to do the inspection.
(1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install, on any engine, any LP compressor blade that has 2,500 FC or more since new or since last inspection using RR NMSB RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011, unless the LP compressor blade has passed the ultrasonic inspection required in paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD.
(2) LP compressor blades that are removed for routine on-wing maintenance such as blade root re-lubrication that will subsequently be reassembled into the engine are not subject to this Installation Prohibition.
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.
