- Effective
- September 23, 2014
- Published
- August 19, 2014 · 79 FR 48961–48962
- Issued
- August 1, 2014
- Supersedes
- AD2013-12-01
- Superseded by
- AD2017-03-02
- Models
- RB211 Trent 768-60, RB211 Trent 772-60, RB211 Trent 772B-60
- Data sheet
- TCDSE39NE
- Registered aircraft
- 182 matched by model
- Product
- Engine
- Amendment
- 39-17934
- Docket
- FAA-2012-1327
- Project
- 2012-NE-47-AD
- Issued as
- Final rule
Unofficial copy from the Federal Register XML, document 2014-19017. Only the govinfo PDF is the legal edition. DRS record last changed August 7, 2025.
Copies of the files this page was built from, with their SHA-256. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
| File | Size | SHA-256 | Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official PDF | 207 KB | 1bc287d8…3429692 | 2014-19017.pdf on govinfo.gov |
| Federal Register XML | 15 KB | 8fb465ac…dc0bfd4 | 2014-19017.xml on federalregister.gov |
| FAA DRS HTML attachment | 49 KB | ddeae14b…acb7655 | FAA DRS (API key needed) |
| FAA DRS PDF | 48 KB | 8ddd0941…c57b087 | FAA DRS (API key needed) |
On this page
Summary
We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-12-01 for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. AD 2013-12-01 required a one-time ultrasonic inspection (UI) of low-pressure (LP) compressor blades with more than 2,500 flight cycles since new or last inspection. This AD requires initial and repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades. This AD was prompted by LP compressor blade partial airfoil release events. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
The airworthiness directive
2014-16-10 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17934; Docket No. FAA-2012-1327; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-47-AD.
(a) Effective Date
PDF page 2This AD is effective September 23, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
PDF page 2This AD supersedes AD 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 37703, June 24, 2013).
(c) Applicability
PDF page 2This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines, with low-pressure (LP) compressor blade, part numbers (P/Ns) FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, FW11901, FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
PDF page 2This AD was prompted by LP compressor blade partial airfoil release events. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blade airfoil separations, engine damage, and damage to the airplane.
(e) Actions and Compliance
PDF page 2Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Ultrasonic Inspection (UI) of LP Compressor Blade
(i) After the effective date of this AD, ultrasonically inspect each LP compressor blade before the blade exceeds 3,600 cycles since new (CSN) or before further flight, whichever occurs later. Repeat the UI of the blade every 2,400 cycles since last inspection (CSLI).
(ii) For any LP compressor blade that exceeds 2,200 CSLI on the effective date of this AD, inspect the blade before exceeding 3,000 CSLI or before further flight, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, perform the repetitive inspections required by this AD.
(iii) Use paragraph 3, excluding subparagraphs 3.A.(9), 3.B.(5), 3.C.(4), 3.D.(3), 3.E.(5), 3.F.(10), and 3.G.(7), of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH465, dated July 15, 2013, to perform the inspections required by this AD.
(2) Use of Replacement Blades
LP compressor blades, P/Ns FK23411, FK25441, FK25968, FW11901, FW15393, FW23643, FW23741, FW23744, KH23403, or KH23404, that have accumulated at least 3,600 CSN or 2,400 CSLI are eligible for installation if the blade has passed the UI required by this AD.
(f) Credit for Previous Actions
PDF page 2If you performed a UI of an affected LP compressor blade before the effective date of this AD using RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G702, dated May 23, 2011; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G872, Revision 2, dated March 8, 2013, or earlier revisions; or RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-H311, dated March 8, 2013; or Engine Manual E-Trent-1RR, Task 72-31-11-200-806, you have met the initial inspection requirements of this AD. However, you must still comply with the repetitive 2,400 CSLI requirement of this AD.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
PDF page 2The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request.
(h) Related Information
PDF page 2(1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: Robert.Green@faa.gov.
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0031, dated February 4, 2014, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2012-1327-0007.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
PDF page 2(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AH465, dated July 15, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 0 1332 242424; fax: 44 0 1332 249936.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
(5) You may view this service information 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Rule preamble
The FAA’s background, reasoning and cost estimate, published with the AD.
DatesPage 1
This AD is effective September 23, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 23, 2014.
AddressesPage 1
For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44 0 1332 242424; fax: 44 0 1332 249936. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
For further information contactPage 1
Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: robert.green@faa.gov.
DiscussionPage 1
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 37703, June 24, 2013), (“AD 2013-12-01”). AD 2013-12-01 applied to the specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 23, 2014 (79 FR 29694). The NPRM proposed to require initial and repetitive UIs of the affected LP compressor blades.
CommentsPage 1
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 29694, May 23, 2014).
ConclusionPage 1
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.
Costs of CompliancePage 1
We estimate that this AD affects 56 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 44 hours per engine to comply with the initial inspection requirements in this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $209,440.
Authority for This RulemakingPage 1
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, “General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory findingsPage 1
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Is not a “significant rule” under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Adoption of the AmendmentPage 1
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
Adoption of the amendmentPage 1
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-12-01, Amendment 39-17478 (78 FR 37703, June 24, 2013), and adding the following new AD:
Affected TCDS · 1
The type certificate data sheets for the models this AD names, matched by model and maker.
Registered aircraft · 182
Registered aircraft whose airframe or engine model this AD names. Matched by model only, so check each against the AD’s applicability.
| 1982 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 4 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 4 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 27 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1997 | 13 |
| 1998 | 11 |
| 1999 | 24 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 26 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1 with no year recorded