AD 2017-01-01

This AD is effective January 26, 2017.

This AD replaces AD 2014-05-25, Amendment 39-17798 (79 FR 15665, March 21, 2014).

This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 970-84, RB211-Trent 970B-84, RB211-Trent 972-84, RB211-Trent 972B-84, RB211-Trent 977-84, RB211-Trent 977B-84, and RB211-Trent 980-84 turbofan engines.

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine (Turbine/Turboprop).

This AD was prompted by RR performing additional analysis of inspection results and determining that the existing inspections need to be modified. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the tail bearing housing (TBH), resulting in damage to the engine and to the airplane.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) Within the compliance times and using the service information specified in Table 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD, accomplish on-wing inspections of the TBH features using the following instructions, as applicable.

(i) If during any on-wing inspection of the TBH mount lug run-outs done using the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1), of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AG971, Revision 2, dated May 5, 2016, any cracks less than or equal to 2 mm in length are found, remove the engine from service within 10 flight cycles (FCs). If any cracks greater than 2 mm are found, remove the engine from service before further flight.

(ii) If during any on-wing inspection of the TBH mount lug run-outs done using the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(2), of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AG971, Revision 2, dated May 5, 2016, any crack indications resulting in an inspection signal with an amplitude of 50% full screen height or more are found, remove the engine from service before further flight.

(iii) If during any on-wing inspection of a pre-mod 72-J024 TBH, any crack or damage is found on the TBH mount lug forging leading edge (LE) areas, re-inspect the engine or remove the engine from service in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(3)(t), of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH154, Revision 5, dated May 5, 2016.

(iv) If during any on-wing inspection of a post-mod 72-J024 TBH, any crack is found on the TBH mount lug forging LE or cutback areas, re-inspect the engine or remove the engine from service in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(3)(t), of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AJ101, dated May 5, 2016.

(2) Within the compliance times and using the service information specified in Table 2 to paragraph (f) of this AD, peform in-shop inspections of the TBH features using the following instructions, as applicable.

(i) If during any in-shop inspection of the TBH, any crack is found on the TBH mount lug or central male catcher run-outs, replace the TBH with a TBH eligible for installation before the engine is returned to service.

(ii) If during any in-shop inspection of the TBH, any crack is found on the top core vanes, reject as unserviceable or repair the TBH in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C.(1)(f), of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AG971 Revision 2, dated May 5, 2016, before the engine is returned to service.

(iii) If during any in-shop inspection of a pre-mod 72-J024 TBH, any crack or damage is found on the TBH mount lug forging LE areas, reject as unserviceable or repair the TBH in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(2)(u)(ii), of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH154, Revision 5, dated May 5, 2016, or the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C.(1)(f), of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AG971, Revision 2, dated May 5, 2016, before the engine is returned to service.

(iv) If during any in-shop inspection of a post-mod 72-J024 TBH, any crack is found on the TBH mount lug forging LE or cutback areas, repair the TBH in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(2)(u)(ii), of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AJ101, dated May 5, 2016, or the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C.(1)(f), of Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AG971, Revision 2, dated May 5, 2016, before the engine is returned to service.

(1) If you performed inspections and corrective actions on an engine before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with earlier versions of RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AG971, Revision 2, dated May 5, 2016, or RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH154, Revision 5, dated May 5, 2016, you met the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) or (2) of this AD, as applicable.

(2) If, on or before April 7, 2014, you performed the inspections and corrective actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD using RR Technical Variance (TV) No. 124801, Issue 2, dated July 4, 2012 or earlier versions; or RR TV No. 124851, Issue 2, dated July 4, 2012 or earlier versions; you met the requirements for a mount lug run-out inspection.

(3) If, on or before April 7, 2014, you performed the inspections and corrective actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD using RR Repeater TV No. 132043, Issue 1, dated March 25, 2013 or earlier versions; or using RR Repeater TV No. 132217, Issue 5, dated May 23, 2013 or earlier versions; you met the requirements for the mount lug forging LE inspections of this AD.

(1) Accomplishment of corrective actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD.

(2) Modification of an engine in accordance with the instructions of RR SB RB.211-72-J055, dated March 22, 2016, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this AD for that engine, provided that, following this modification, no affected TBH is installed on that engine.

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 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 2016-0193, dated September 30, 2016, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-1015.

(3) RR TV No. 124801, Issue 2, dated July 4, 2012; RR TV No. 124851, Issue 2, dated July 4, 2012, Repeater TV No. 132043, Issue 1, dated March 25, 2013, and Repeater TV No. 132217, Issue 5, dated May 23, 2013; which are not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from RR using the contact information in paragraph (k)(3) of this AD.

(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 (RR) Service Bulletin RB.211-72-J055, dated March 22, 2016.

(ii) RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AJ101, dated May 5, 2016;

(iii) RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AG971, Revision 2, dated May 5, 2016; and

(iv) RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH154, Revision 5, dated May 5, 2016.

(3) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-245418, or email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp.

(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 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.