Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17667 · Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines
This AD applies to all 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.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 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. This AD requires replacement or repair of the low-pressure (LP) compressor fan blade set before reaching a specified number of flight cycles since new (FCSN) or flight cycles since last leading edge profile blade repair (FCSLR). This AD was prompted by reports of erosion of the leading edge profile of the LP compressor blade set contributing to fan blade flutter. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LP compressor blades, which could lead to an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
(1) If on the effective date of this AD, the LP compressor fan blades:
(i) Have less that 3,750 flight cycles since new (FCSN) or flight cycles since last leading edge profile blade repair (FCSLR), replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set before accumulating 4,000 FCSN or FCSLR;
(ii) Have 3,750 or more FCSN or FCSLR, but less than 4,400 FCSN or FCSLR, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within 250 flight cycles (FC), but not later than 4,500 FCSN or FCSLR;
(iii) Have 4,400 FCSN or FCSLR or more, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within 100 FC; or
(iv) Have FCSN or FCSLR that are unknown, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within 100 FC.
(2) Thereafter, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within every 4,000 FCSN or FCSLR.
LP compressor fan blades eligible for installation are:
(1) LP compressor fan blades with less than 4,000 FCSN; or
(2) LP compressor fan blades with less than 4,000 FCSLR, if LP compressor fan blades were repaired using RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AH149, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2013 or earlier version or, for initial restoration only, RB.211-72-H464, dated August 28, 2013.
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.
