[4910-13-P]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28059; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-13-AD; Amendment 

39-17526; AD 2013-15-10]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-10-12 for all RR 

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

560A2-61, 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. AD 2012-10-12 currently requires inspecting the 

intermediate-pressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks. We are 

issuing this AD to require inspections of the IP compressor rotor shaft, as required by the 

existing AD, to add on-wing inspections for the Trent 500 engines, and to add on-wing 

and in-shop inspections for the Trent 900 engines. This AD was prompted by detection of 

a crack in a Trent 500 IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land during a shop visit. 

Further engineering evaluation, done by RR, concluded that the cracking may also exist 

in Trent 900 engines. We are issuing this AD to detect cracking on the IP compressor 

rotor shaft rear balance land, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage 

to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of 
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certain publication listed in the AD as of [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

The Director of the Federal Register approved the IBR of certain other 

publications listed in this AD as of June 29, 2012 (77 FR 31176, May 25, 2012).

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground 

Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate 

Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; phone: 011–44–1332–

242424; fax: 011–44–1332–245418; email:

http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 

or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday

through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the Mandatory

Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone:

800-647-5527) is provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 

Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 

frederick.zink@faa.gov.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 

supersede AD 2012-10-12, Amendment 39-17061 (77 FR 31176, May 25, 2012). That

AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on

March 21, 2013 (78 FR 17300). The NPRM proposed to require inspections of the IP 

compressor rotor shaft, as required by the existing AD, on-wing inspections for the Trent 

500 engines, and on-wing and in-shop inspections for the Trent 900 engines.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The 

following presents the comments received on the proposal and the FAA’s response to 

each comment.

Request to Not Include Revision Level of Service Bulletin (SB)

Texas Aero Engine Service LLC (TAESL) requested that we not include the 

revision of the SB or that we include “or later revision” in the AD. The commenter’s 

justification for this request is that the SBs are revised often.

We do not agree. The SBs contain unique methods that require IBR. We do not 

know how a SB will be revised in the future; therefore, we cannot use “or later revision”. 

Any future revisions can be addressed using paragraph (m) of this AD. We did not 

change the AD.

Request to Include an Alternate Method of Compliance

TAESL requested that RR SB No. RB.211-72-AG401 be included as an 

alternative means of compliance and that the requirement to perform an eddy current 

inspection (ECI), on engines which have had the new balance weights fitted using RR SB 

No. RB.211-72-AG401, be removed. The justification for this request is that the SB 
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describes procedures for replacing the existing balance weights with new balance 

weights.

We do not agree. The unsafe condition was identified in the existing balance 

weights that were installed. RR SB No. RB.211-72-AG401 introduces the new balance 

weights. In paragraph (j) of this AD we mandate removal of the existing balance weights 

as terminating action, as opposed to installation of the new balance weights. We did not 

IBR RR SB No. RB.211-72-AG401 because there could be future versions of the balance 

weights that would also be acceptable. We did not change the AD.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed 

except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

 Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 17300, 

March 21, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; and

 Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed 

in the NPRM (78 FR 17300, March 21, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect about 136 engines installed on airplanes of 

U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 14 hours per engine to perform the 

required inspections. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Replacement parts are 

estimated to cost about $2,271 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 

the AD on U.S. operators to be $470,696.

Authority for this Rulemaking

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.
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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 Findings

We have determined that 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
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Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA 

amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-10-

12, Amendment 39-17061 (77 FR 31176, May 25, 2012), and adding the following new 

AD:

2013-15-10 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17526; Docket No. FAA-2007-28059;

Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-13-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

(b) Affected ADs

This AD supersedes AD 2012-10-12, Amendment 39-17061 (77 FR 31176, May

25, 2012).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 

556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61, 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 

875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, 895-17, 970-84, 970B-84, 972-84, 

972B-84, 977-84, 977B-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines.

(d) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by detection of a crack in a Trent 500 intermediatepressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land with follow-on RR engineering 
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evaluation concluding that cracking may also exist in Trent 900 engines. We are issuing 

this AD to detect cracking on the IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land, which 

could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

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

(f) RB211-Trent 700 Series Engines - Rear Balance Land Inspections

(1) Within 625 cycles-in-service (CIS) after June 29, 2012, or before the next 

flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, borescope inspect the IP 

compressor rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RB211 Trent 700 Series Propulsion System 

Non-Modification Alert Service Bulletin (NMASB) No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 4, 

dated March 21, 2011, sections 3.A.(2)(a) through 3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(3)(a) through 

3.A.(3)(c) for in-shop procedures, or 3.B.(2)(a) through 3.B.(2)(c) and 3.B.(4)(a) through 

3.B.(4)(c) for on-wing procedures, to do the inspection.

(2) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 625 cycles-since-last inspection 

(CSLI). You may count CSLI from the last borescope inspection or the last eddy current 

inspection (ECI), whichever occurred last.

(3) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD, perform an ECI and 

visually inspect the IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land, and visually inspect the 

balance weights. Use RB211 Trent 700 and Trent 800 Series Propulsion Systems 

NMASB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011, sections 3.A. through 

3.C., to do the inspections.

(g) RB211-Trent 800 Series Engines - Rear Balance Land Inspections

(1) Within 475 CIS after June 29, 2012, or before the next flight after the effective 

date of this AD, whichever occurs later, borescope inspect the IP compressor rotor shaft 

rear balance land. Use RB211 Trent 800 Series Propulsion System NMASB No. RB.211-

72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21, 2011, sections 3.A.(2)(b) through 3.A.(2)(c) and 
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3.A.(3)(a) through 3.A.(3)(c) for in-shop procedures, or 3.B.(2)(a) through 3.B.(2)(c) and 

3.B.(4)(a) through 3.B.(4)(c) for on-wing procedures, to do the inspection.

(2) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 475 CSLI. You may count CSLI 

from the last borescope inspection or the last ECI, whichever occurred last.

(3) At each shop visit, perform an ECI and visually inspect the IP compressor 

rotor shaft rear balance land, and visually inspect the balance weights. Use RB211 Trent 

700 and Trent 800 Series Propulsion Systems NMASB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 

2, dated July 7, 2011, sections 3.A. through 3.C. and 3.D.(3) to do the inspections.

(h) RB211-Trent 500 Series Engines - Rear Balance Land Inspections

(1) Within 340 CIS after the effective date of this AD, borescope inspect the IP 

compressor rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RB211 Trent 500 Series Propulsion 

Systems NMASB No. RB.211-72-AH058, dated December 13, 2012, sections 3.A.(2)(a)

through 3.A.(2)(c), 3.A.(3)(a) through 3.A.(3)(d), and 3.A.(5)(a) through 3.A.(5)(c) for 

on-wing procedures, to do the inspection.

(2) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 340 CSLI. You may count CSLI 

from the last borescope inspection or the last ECI, whichever occurred last.

(3) At each shop visit, perform an ECI and visually inspect the IP compressor 

rotor shaft rear balance land, and visually inspect the balance weights. Use RB211 Trent 

500 and Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

(NMSB) No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 3, dated July 7, 2011, sections 3.D.(4) through 

3.D.(5), 3.D.(6)(f) through 3.D.(7)(w), 3.D.(8)(f) through 3.D.(8)(w), 3.D.(11), 3.D.(12), 

and 3.D.(e) to do the inspections.

(i) RB211-Trent 900 Series Engines – Rear Balance Land Inspections

(l) Within 280 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, borescope inspect 

the IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RB211 Trent 900 Series Propulsion 

Systems NMASB No. RB.211-72-AH059, dated December 11, 2012, sections 3.A.(2)(a) 
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through 3.A.(2)(c), 3.A.(3)(a) through 3.A.(3)(d), 3.A.(5)(a) through 3.A.(5)(c), and 

3.D.(e) to do the inspection.

(2) Thereafter, repeat the inspection within every 280 CSLI. You may count from 

the last borescope inspection or the last ECI, whichever occurred last.

(3) At each shop visit after the effective date of this AD, perform an ECI and 

visually inspect the IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land, and visually inspect the 

balance weights. Use RB211 Trent 500 and Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems NMSB 

No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 3, dated July 7, 2011, sections 3.D.(4) through 3.D.(5), 

3.D.(6)(f) through 3.D.(7)(w), 3.D.(8)(f) through 3.D.(8)(w), 3.D.(11), and 3.D.(12), to 

do the inspection. 

(j) Mandatory Termination Action for RB211-Trent 700 and RB211-Trent 800 

Engines

(1) For RB211–Trent 700 engines. At the next shop visit in which any level of 

inspection or strip is scheduled to be carried out on the IP compressor, remove the 

existing IP compressor balance weights.

(2) For RB211–Trent 800 engines. At the next shop visit in which any level of 

inspection or strip is scheduled to be carried out on the IP compressor, remove the 

existing IP compressor balance weights.

(3) Once you have removed the balance weights, do not re-install them on any IP 

compressor shaft rear balance land.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

(1) For RB211-Trent 700 series engines:

(i) If you borescope inspected your RB211-Trent 700 series engine using RB211 

Trent 700 Series Propulsion System NMASB No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 1, dated 

December 14, 2009, or Revision 2, dated December 21, 2010, or Revision 3, dated 
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February 25, 2011, before the effective date of this AD, you have satisfied the 

requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(ii) If you performed the ECI and visual inspection of your RB211-Trent 700 

series engine using RB211 Trent 700 and Trent 800 Series Propulsion Systems NMASB

No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 1, dated September 27, 2010, before the effective date 

of this AD, you have satisfied the ECI and visual inspections required by paragraph (f)(3) 

of this AD. You are still required to perform the repetitive inspections required by

paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of this AD.

(2) For RB211-Trent 800 series engines:

(i) If you borescope inspected your RB211-Trent 800 series engine using RB211 

Trent 800 Series Propulsion System NMASB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 3, dated 

December 21, 2010, or Revision 4, dated February 25, 2011, before the effective date of 

this AD, you have satisfied the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

(ii) If you performed the ECI and in-shop visual inspection of your RB211-Trent 

800 series engine using RB211 Trent 700 and Trent 800 Series Propulsion Systems 

NMASB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 1, dated September 27, 2010, before the 

effective date of this AD, you have satisfied the ECI and visual inspections required by 

paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. You are still required to perform the repetitive inspections

required by paragraphs (g)(2) and (g)(3) of this AD.

(3) For RB211-Trent 500 and 900 series engines:

(i) If you borescope inspected your RB211-Trent 500 series engine using RB211 

Trent 500, 700 and 800 Series Propulsion Systems NMASB No. RB.211-72-AF260, 

Revision 4, dated July 28, 2009, or using RB211 Trent 500 and Trent 900 Series 

Propulsion Systems NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 2010 

before the effective date of this AD, you have satisfied the ECIs required by paragraph 

(h)(3) of this AD.
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(ii) If you performed the ECI and in-shop visual inspection of your RB211-Trent 

500 series engine using RB211 Trent 500 and Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems 

NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 2010, before the effective 

date of this AD, you have satisfied the ECI and visual inspections required by paragraph 

(h)(3) of this AD. You are still required to perform the repetitive inspections required by 

paragraphs (h)(2) and (h)(3) of this AD.

(4) For RB211-Trent 900 series engines:

(i) If you borescope inspected your RB211-Trent 900 series engine using RB211 

Trent 500 and Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, 

Revision 2, dated December 23, 2010, before the effective date of this AD, you have 

satisfied the requirements of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. 

(ii) If you performed the ECI and in-shop visual inspection of your RB211-Trent 

900 series engine using RB211 Trent 500 and Trent 900 Series Propulsion Systems 

NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 2010, before the effective 

date of this AD, you have satisfied the ECI and visual inspections required by paragraph 

(i)(3) of this AD. You are still required to perform the repetitive inspections required by

paragraphs (i)(2) and (i)(3) of this AD.

(l) Definitions

For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is defined as introduction of an engine 

into the shop and disassembly sufficient to expose the IP compressor module rear face.

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request.

(n) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
12

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: frederick.zink@faa.gov.

(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency, AD 2013-0002, dated January 4, 

2013, for more information. You may examine this AD on the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov.

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

(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.

(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on [INSERT DATE 

35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

(i) Rolls-Royce plc Non-Modification Alert Service Bulletin No. RB211 Trent 

900 Series Propulsion Systems NMASB No. RB.211-72-AH059, dated December 11, 

2012.

(ii) Rolls-Royce plc Non-Modification Alert Service Bulletin No. RB211 Trent 

500 Series Propulsion Systems RB.211-72-AH058, dated December 13, 2012.

(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on June 29, 2012, 

(77 FR 31176, May 25, 2012).

(i) Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 700 Series Propulsion System Non-Modification 

Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 4, dated March 21, 2011.
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(ii) Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 700 and 800 Series Propulsion Systems NonModification Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 2, dated July 7, 

2011.

(iii) Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 800 Series Propulsion System NonModification Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21, 

2011.

(iv) Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 500 Series Propulsion System NonModification Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AF260, Revision 5, dated July 7, 

2011.

(v) Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 500 and 900 Series Propulsion Systems NonModification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 3, dated July 7, 2011.

(5) For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, 

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; phone: 011–44–

1332–242424; fax: 011–44–1332–245418; Internet: http://www.rollsroyce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp.

(6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 

Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on 

the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

(7) You may also view this service information that is IBR 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/federalregister/cfr/ibr_locations.html.
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Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 22, 2013.

Colleen M. D’Alessandro,

Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.