EASA AD No.: 2012-0237R1

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2012-0237R1

Date: 14 November 2012

Note: 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 EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.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].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

ROLLS-ROYCE plc

Type/Model designation(s):

RB211 Trent 500 engines

TCDS Number: EASA.E.060

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Revision: This AD revises EASA AD 2012-0237 dated 09 November 2012, which 

superseded EASA AD 2011-0243 dated 20 December 2011.

ATA 73 Engine – Low Pressure Fuel Tubes, Clips and Fuel Oil Heat 

Exchanger Mounts – Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): Rolls-Royce plc

Applicability: RB211 Trent 500 Models 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 

556B2-61, 560-61 and 560A2-61 engines, all serial numbers. 

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

500 and Airbus A340-600 series aeroplanes.

Reason: Fuel leaks from the low pressure (LP) fuel tubes, which run between the LP 

fuel pumps and high pressure (HP) fuel pumps, occurred in-service. The 

results of subsequent technical investigations showed that these were 

caused by frettage between the securing clips and the LP fuel tube outer 

surface, which reduces the fuel tube thickness, leading to fracture of the fuel 

tube and consequent fuel leak.

This condition, if not detected early enough or if not correctly managed, 

could lead to critical fuel unbalance or in-flight fuel starvation. Fuel leak 

detection and the associated aeroplane procedures can be complex, leading 

to some flight crews failing to detect and/or address such situations.

To address this potential unsafe condition, as a precautionary measure to 

mitigate the risk of in-flight fuel starvation, EASA issued AD 2011-0243 to

require a one-time on-wing inspection of the LP fuel tubes and the 

associated clips and, depending on findings, replacement of the affected 

parts with serviceable parts.

Since that AD was issued, further engineering evaluation based on the 

results of the inspections carried out as required by AD 2011-0243 showed
EASA AD No.: 2012-0237R1

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the need for repetitive inspections.

For the reasons described above, this AD retains the requirements of EASA

AD 2011-0243, which is superseded, and requires additional repetitive 

inspections of LP fuel tubes, clips and fuel-to-oil heat exchanger (FOHE)

mounts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective 

action(s).

This AD is revised to add a Note, specifying that an on-wing inspection may 

be substituted by an in-shop inspection.

Effective Date: Revision 1: 28 November 2012

Original issue: 23 November 2012

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 1 600 engine flight hours (EFH) after 03 January 2012 [the 

effective date of EASA AD 2011-0243], inspect the LP fuel tubes and 

clips in accordance with the instructions of Section 3, paragraph A of 

Rolls-Royce (RR) Trent 500 Series Propulsion Systems NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-73-AG948.

(2) If, during the inspections as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any 

discrepancy is identified, before next flight, replace the affected parts 

with serviceable parts in accordance with the instructions of Section 3,

Paragraph A or B, as applicable, of RR NMSB RB.211-73-AG948.

(3) Inspections and corrective actions, accomplished before 23 November 

2012 [the effective date of the original issue of this AD], in accordance 

with the instructions of RR NMSB RB.211-73-G723 or of RR NMSB 

RB.211-73-AG797 (at any revision), are acceptable to comply with the 

requirement of paragraph (1) of this AD.

(4) Within 6 000 EFH after the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of 

this AD, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 6 000 EFH, 

accomplish an on-wing inspection of the LP fuel tubes, clips and FOHE 

mounts in accordance with the instructions of Section 3, Paragraph A of 

RR NMSB RB.211-73-AG948.

(5) From 23 November 2012 [the effective date of the original issue of this 

AD], during each engine shop visit and during each engine overhaul,

inspect the LP fuel tubes, clips and FOHE mounts in accordance with 

the instructions of Section 3, Paragraph B of RR NMSB RB.211-73-

AG948 and, depending on findings, accomplish all applicable corrective 

actions before release to service of the engine.

Note: Accomplishment of a shop visit inspection as required by paragraph 

(5) of this AD may substitute the accomplishment of an on-wing inspection 

as required by paragraph (4) of this AD.

(6) If, on 23 November 2012 [the effective date of the original issue of this 

AD], the engine is in shop, before release to service of the engine, 

inspect the LP fuel tubes, clips and FOHE mounts in accordance with 

the instructions of Section 3, Paragraph B of RR NMSB RB.211-73-

AG948, to the extent where the affected parts are exposed and, 

depending on findings, accomplish all applicable corrective actions

before release to service of the engine.

Ref. Publications: Rolls-Royce NMSB RB.211-73-AG948 dated 28 September 2012.

Rolls-Royce NMSB RB.211-73-G723 Revision 1 dated 31 January 2012.

Rolls-Royce NMSB RB.211-73-AG797 Revision 2 dated 13 June 2012.

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD.
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Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.

2. The original issue of this AD was posted on 02 October 2012 as PAD 

12-126 for consultation until 30 October 2012. The Comment Response 

Document can be found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

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

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

this AD, please contact your designated Rolls-Royce representative or 

download the publication from your Aeromanager account at 

www.aeromanager.com.

If you do not have a designated representative or Aeromanager 

account, please contact Corporate Communications at

Rolls-Royce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, The United Kingdom,

Telephone: +44 (0) 1332 242424, or send an e-mail through 

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

correspondence as being related to Airworthiness Directives.