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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2007-0202 

[Corrected: 08 August 2007] 

Date: 01 August 2007

No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the 

requirements of that Airworthiness Directive unless otherwise agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry.

Type Approval Holder’s Name:

ROLLS-ROYCE plc 

Type/Model designation(s):

RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60 and 772C-60 

TCDS No: EASA E.042 

Foreign AD number: Not applicable 

Supersedure: Not applicable 

ATA 72 Engine – HP/IP Turbine Bearing Oil Vent Tube Restrictor – 

Inspection / Cleaning / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Rolls-Royce plc

Applicability: Models RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60 and 772C-60 engines 

inspected or modified prior to issue of this AD in accordance with: 

(a) IOR 72-E965 and not subsequently inspected in accordance with NMSB 

72-AE302 rev 4 or 5; 

(b) NMSB 72-AE792 rev 2 or earlier issue and not subsequently inspected in 

accordance with NMSB 72-AE302 rev 4 or 5; 

(c) NMSB 72-AE302 rev 3 or earlier issue and not subsequently inspected in 

accordance with NMSB 72-AE792 rev 3. 

These engines are known to be installed on Airbus A330 series aeroplanes. 

Reason: In October 2003 an uncontained multiple Intermediate Pressure (IP) turbine 

blade release occurred on an RB211 Trent 700 series engine. The blade 

release was the result of an overspeed of the IP turbine rotor that was initiated 

by an internal fire in the HP/IP bearing chamber. Post incident analysis 

established that blockage of the HP/IP turbine bearing oil vent tube, due to oil 

coking, is a significant factor in the failure sequence. 

Further analysis has now identified that intervention actions that were 

introduced to address this problem may have increased the rate of carbon 

formation in the vent pipe. These intervention actions are believed to loosen 

carbon fragments which are subsequently released. 

This AD has been re-published to indicate that accomplishment of the actions 

in accordance with the original issue of Rolls-Royce Alert Non Modification 

Service Bulletin RB211-72-AF424 is an acceptable method of compliance. 

Effective Date: 15 August 2007 
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Compliance/Action: VENT FLOW RESTRICTOR INSPECTION

A. 05 modules of engines in group (a) of the Applicability section (above), 

carry out the Action (part C. below) within 2 months of the Effective Date of 

this Airworthiness Directive. 

B. 05 modules of engines in group (b) and (c) of the Applicability section 

(above), carry out the Action (part C. below) within 6 months of the Effective 

Date of this Airworthiness Directive. 

C. Action:

Inspect and clean or reject (as necessary) the HP/IP turbine bearing external 

(IPC ref 79-22-49-10-500) oil vent tube in accordance with Section 3 

Accomplishment Instructions of Rolls-Royce Alert Non Modification Service 

Bulletin RB211-72-AF424 at original issue, or Revision 1 or later approved 

revisions. 

Note: Vent flow restrictor inspection instructions, equivalent to those of NMSB 

72-AF424 rev 1, were added to NMSB 72-AE302 and NMSB 72-AE792 at rev 

4 and rev 3 respectively. Compliance with these NMSBs therefore constitutes 

satisfactory compliance to this Airworthiness Directive (this is reflected in the 

Applicability section of this Airworthiness Directive).

Ref. Publications: Rolls-Royce Alert Non Mod Service Bulletin RB211-72-AF424 original issue or 

Revision 1; 

Rolls-Royce Alert Non Mod Service Bulletin RB211-72-AE302 Revision 4; 

Rolls-Royce Alert Non Mod Service Bulletin RB211-72-AE792 Revision 3; 

or later approved revisions of these documents. 

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated the responsible EASA 

manager for the related product has the authority to accept Alternative 

Method of Compliance (AMOC) for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted on 15 June 2007 as PAD 07-100 for consultation until 

28 June 2007. The Comment Response Document can be found at 

http://ad.easa.europa.eu

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the AD Focal Point - 

Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu

4. For any questions concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact Rolls-Royce plc. PO Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, 

United Kingdom. Phone: +44 (0) 1332 242424, Fax: +44 (0) 1332 

249936.