Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19885 · Turbine engine compressor section
Rolls-Royce, Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG (Formerly Rolls-Royce plc) Turbofan Engines
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2026-18-04. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG (formerly Rolls-Royce plc) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, with low-pressure (LP) compressor blade, part number (P/N) FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, FW11901, FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, installed.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2017- 03-02 for certain Rolls-Royce, Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 model turbofan engines. AD 2017-03-02 required initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (UIs) of the affected low-pressure (LP) compressor blades. This AD requires initial and repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades and, depending on the results of the UIs, their replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by LP compressor blade partial airfoil release events. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Within the compliance time specified in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight cycles (FCs) or Standard Duty Cycles (SDCs) for Non-Standard Operations (NSO), as applicable, since the last ultrasonic inspection (UI), perform a UI of each affected LP compressor blade in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3, of Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 6, dated November 29, 2019.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Paragraph 1.D of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 6, dated November 29, 2019, describes how to determine the applicable SDCs. The Time Limits Manual (TLM), 05-00-01, defines NSO.
(2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, a LP compressor blade is rejected by the UI, as defined in Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3, of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 6, dated November 29, 2019, before further flight, or before returning the LP compressor blade to service, whichever occurs first, remove the affected LP compressor blade from service and replace with a part eligible for installation.
After the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected LP compressor blade on an engine unless the LP compressor blade meets the conditions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) or (2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) The affected part has not exceeded 1,200 FC or SDCs (for NSO) since new, or since an inspection performed in accordance with either RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 6, dated, November 29, 2019, or with any of the service information referenced in paragraph (j)(1) and (2) of this AD.
(2) Prior to installation, the affected part has passed an ultrasonic inspection in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
The reporting requirements in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3 of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH465, Revision 6, dated November 29, 2019, are not 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.
