EASA AD No.: 2009-0257 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2009-0257 

Date: 03 December 2009 

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation 

(EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the 

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate 

an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD unless otherwise specified by the Agency 

[EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

Rolls-Royce plc 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

RB211 Trent 500 series engines 

RB211 Trent 700 series engines

TCDS Number : EASA.E.042 and EASA.E.060 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 79 Engine – Fuel System, Fuel-to-oil Heat Exchanger (FOHE) –

Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Rolls-Royce plc 

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

These engines are known to be installed on, but not limited to Airbus A330 

series aircraft. 

RB211 Trent 553-61, 556-61, 556B-61, 560-61, 553A2-61,556A2-61, 556B2-61, 

560A2-61 engines. 

These engines are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A340-

500/600 series aeroplanes. 

Reason: In January 2008 a Boeing 777 powered by RR Trent 800 crashed short of the 

runway as a result of dual loss of engine response during the final stages of 

approach. The investigation of the incident has established that, under certain 

ambient conditions, ice can accumulate on the walls of the fuel pipes within the 

aircraft fuel system, which can then be released downstream when fuel flow 

demand is increased. This released ice can then collect on the FOHE front face 

and limit fuel flow through the FOHE. This type of icing event was previously 

unknown and creates ice concentrations into the fuel system beyond those 

specified in the certification requirements. 

In May 2009 an EICAS surge message was set following a successful goaround manoeuvre on a single Trent 700 engine of an A330 aircraft, 

subsequent analysis concluded the likely cause to be temporary ice 

accumulation causing fuel flow restriction in the FOHE. The incident has 
EASA AD No.: 2009-0257 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

indicated the potential susceptibility to ice blockage for Airbus aircraft in 

combination with RR engines that feature similar fuel systems to the Trent 

800. 

This Airworthiness Directive has therefore been raised to mitigate the risk due to 

the potential unsafe condition of dual loss of engine response due to FOHE 

blockage on the A340/Trent 500 and A330/Trent 700 aircraft. 

This Airworthiness Directive instructs replacement of the FOHE with a modified 

standard incorporating enhanced anti-icing and de-icing performance. 

Effective Date: 17 December 2009 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Within 6 000 flight hours from 10 July 2009 or before 01 January 2011, 

whichever occurs first: 

Replace the FOHE with an FOHE modified in accordance with either: 

Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin RB211-79-AG338 original issue section 

3 Accomplishment Instructions for Trent 700 engines; 

or Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin RB211-79-AG346 original issue 

section 3 Accomplishment Instructions for Trent 500 engines.

Ref. Publications: Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin RB211-79-AG338 original issue. 

Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin RB211-79-AG346 original issue. 

The use of later approved revisions is acceptable for compliance with the 

requirements of this AD. 

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted on 27 October 2009 as PAD 09-129 for consultation 

until 24 November 2009. The Comment Response Document can be 

found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness 

Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification 

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

4. For any question 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. 

Email: tech.help@rolls-royce.com or download the publication from 

https://www.aeromanager.com