EASA AD No.: 2011–0243 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2011-0243 

Date: 20 December 2011 

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 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 

TCDS Number : EASA TCDS No. E.060 

Foreign AD : N/A 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 73 Engine – Low Pressure (LP) Fuel Tubes and Clips – Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): Rolls-Royce plc

Applicability: RB211-Trent 500 series engines, all serial numbers except those engines 

that have already been inspected in accordance with Rolls Royce NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 73-G723. 

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 LP fuel tubes which run between the LP fuel pumps and 

high pressure (HP) fuel pumps have occurred in-service. 

The subsequent technical investigations have shown that these have 

resulted from frettage between the securing clips and the LP fuel tube outer 

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

fuel tube and consequent fuel leak. 

Fuel leaks, if not detected early enough or if not correctly managed, could 

lead to potentially unsafe conditions such as critical fuel unbalance or inflight fuel starvation. Fuel leak detection and the associated aeroplanes 

procedures can be complex, leading to some flight crews being unable to 

detect and/or address such conditions. EASA has initiated reviews of fuel 

management procedures. This AD is issued as a precautionary measure to 

mitigate the risk of in-flight fuel starvation identified as a result of the 

existence of a known cause of fuel leaks. 

For the reasons described above, for engines which have not been 
EASA AD No.: 2011–0243 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

inspected in-shop in accordance with NMSB 73-G723, this AD requires an 

on-wing inspection of the LP fuel tubes and clips and, if necessary, 

replacement of the affected parts with serviceable parts. 

Effective Date: 03 January 2012 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 1 600 engine flying hours after the effective date of this AD, 

accomplish all the actions (inspection of LP fuel tubes and clips) in 

accordance with section 3. Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph A. 

On-wing of Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent 500 Series Propulsion Systems 

NMSB RB211-73-AG797. 

(2) If any discrepancy is identified during the inspection as required by 

paragraph (1) of this AD, before next flight, replace the affected LP fuel 

tubes and clips with serviceable parts, in accordance with section 3. 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph A. On-wing of Rolls-Royce RB211 

Trent 500 Series Propulsion Systems NMSB RB211-73-AG797. 

Ref. Publications: Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent 500 Series Propulsion Systems Non-Modification 

Service Bulletin RB211-73-AG797, Initial Issue dated 26 October 2011. 

The use of later approved revisions of this document 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 28 October 2011 as PAD 11-111 for consultation 

until 25 November 2011. No comments were received during the 

consultation period. 

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. PO 

Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, 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.