AD 2004-26-05

(a) This AD becomes effective February 9, 2005.

(b) This AD supersedes AD 97-07-04, Amendment 39-9978.

(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) engine models RB211-524B-02, -524B2, -524B3, -524B4, -524C2, and -524D4 series engines incorporating RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-7221 or RR SB No. RB.211-72-7998 with front combustion liner assembly, part number (P/N) UL16885, UL29916, UL27107, UL28972, or UL28974 installed but not incorporating RR SB No. RB.211-72-9670 or RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764, and engine models RB211-524G and -524H series engines with front combustion liner assembly P/N UL27659, UL23992, or UL22988 but not incorporating RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 747 and Lockheed L1011 series airplanes.

(d) This AD results from five events that are directly attributed to combustor head breakup and meterpanel failure which were found at overhaul inspection. At least one of these events resulted in a combustion case burn-through. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent engine combustion liner deterioration, which can result in combustion liner breakup, case burn-through, and engine fire.

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done. Engine inspections previously made to RR Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-B482, Revision 8, can be credited for counting cycles since last inspection.

(f) Borescope-inspect combustion liner head sections that have not been previously repaired. Use paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5) of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the compliance thresholds in Table 1 of this AD.

(g) Borescope-inspect combustion liner head sections previously repaired using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B. Use paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5) of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the compliance thresholds in Table 2 of this AD.

(h) Borescope-inspect combustion liner sections that have been repaired using a method other than RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B. Use paragraphs 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(5) of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the compliance thresholds in Table 3 of this AD.

Note 1:

For an installed front combustion liner that is subject to RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003: If the operator can confirm with the relevant overhaul base or repair vendor that the nicrobraze repair RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367 has been applied to all 18 struts, then this is equivalent to compliance with RR Field Repair Scheme FRS5367/B.

Note 2:

Head sections repaired by replacement of all 18 struts using RR Field Repair Scheme FRS6548 are considered as equivalent to fitting a new head section for inspection purposes.

(i) Borescope-inspect meterpanel assemblies, incorporating Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-7998, that have not been previously repaired. Using Paragraphs 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7) of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revisions 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the compliance thresholds in Table 4 of this AD.

(J) Borescope-inspect meterpanel assemblies, incorporating Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-7998, that have been previously repaired. Use paragraphs 3.B.(1) through 3.B.(7) of the Accomplishment Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003, and the compliance thresholds in Table 5 of this AD.

Note 3:

There is no requirement to inspect meter panels for combustors to a pre-RR SB No. RB.211-72-7998 standard.

(k) Replace parts that exceed the acceptance criteria. Information about the acceptance criteria can be found in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual, 72-00-00, Inspection/Check.

(l) Replace any front combustion liner assembly that has a P/N listed in paragraph (c) of this AD at the next shop visit or within 10,000 CSN but no later than December 31, 2012.

(m) Replacement of the front combustion liner assembly with a front combustion liner assembly that incorporates the modifications in RR SB No. RB.211-72-9670 or RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764 in the RB211-524B02, -524B2, -524B3, -524B4, -524C2 and -524D4 engines constitutes terminating action to the repetitive inspections in paragraphs (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j), of this AD.

(n) Replacement of the front combustion liner assembly with a front combustion liner assembly that incorporates the modifications in RR SB No. RB.211-72-9764 in the RB211-524G and -524H engines constitutes terminating action to the repetitive inspections in paragraphs (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this AD.

(o) For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is defined as any time that the 04 module is removed for refurbishment or overhaul.

(p) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(q) You must use the Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) and Service Bulletins (SB's) listed in Table 6 of this AD to do the inspections and replacements required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of RR ASB No. RB.211-72-AB482, Revision 9, dated July 28, 2003; SB's No. RB.211-72-9764, Revision 3, dated January 16, 1998, No. RB.211-72-9670, Original Issue, dated August 27, 1993; and SB No. RB.211-72-9764 Supplement, Revision 1, dated January 16, 1998; in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030; or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Table 6 follows:

(r) Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness directive AD G-2003-0011, dated October 1, 2003, (previously 005-07-95, dated November 15, 2001), also addresses the subject of this AD. Aircraft Maintenance Manual 72-00-00 also addresses the subject of this AD.