[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 

39-18087; AD 2015-02-20] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Ainvorthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce pic Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-1 5-10 that applies 

to certain Rolls-Royce pic (RR) RB211 turbofan engines. AD 2013-15-10 requires 

inspecting the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft rear balance land for 

cracks. This AD requires inspecting the TPC rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks, 

eliminates a terminating action, expands one inspection, and eliminates certain other 

inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect cracking on the IPC 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 

(lBR) of certain publications listed in this 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 October 8, 2013 (78 FR 54149, September 3, 2013) 

and as of June 29, 2012 (77 FR 31176, May 25, 2012). 

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce pic, 

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31 , Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-

1332- 242424; fax: 011-44- 1332- 249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp; Internet: https://www.aeromanager.com. 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 by 

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2007-28059; 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, regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The 

address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground 

Floor, Room W12-1 40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace 

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

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: kenneth.steeves@faa.gov. 

2 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

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

supersede AD 2013-15-10, Amendment 39-17526 (78 FR 54149, September 3, 2013), 

("AD 2013-15-10"). AD 2013-15-10 applied to the specified products. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on September 11,2014 (79 FR 54220). The NPRM 

proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2013-15-10 for inspecting the IPC rotor shaft 

rear balance land for cracks. The NPRM also proposed to require that the repetitive inshop eddy current inspections (ECis) in AD 2013-15-10 be performed even after 

modifying certain engines. The NPRM also proposed to eliminate repetitive on-wing 

inspections for certain other engines, and eliminate certain in-shop visual inspections for 

all engines. 

Comments 

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

received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 54220, September 11, 2014). 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public 

interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes, e.g., 

paragraph references and referencing the latest version of certain service information 

incorporated by reference. 

Related Service Information 

We reviewed RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. RB.2ll72-AH059, dated December 11 , 2012; RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH058, 

3 
Revision 1, dated July 7, 2014; RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 4, 

dated March 21, 2011; RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 2, dated July 

7, 2011; RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21, 2011; and 

RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 4, dated August 21,2014. The service 

information describes procedures for performing borescope inspections and ECis of the 

IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. You can find this information in the AD docket on the 

Internet at http:/ /www.regulations.gov/#!docketBrowser;rpp=25 ;po=O;D=F AA-2007-

28059. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect about 13 6 engines installed on airplanes of 

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

inspections required by this AD. 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 ofthe 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. 

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 

4 
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 

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. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

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

amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows: 

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 

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

5 
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113,44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended) 

2. The FAA amends§ 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-15-

10, Amendment 39-17526 (78 FR 54149, September 3, 2013), and adding the following 

new AD: 

2015-02-20 Rolls-Royce pic: Amendment 39- 18087; Docket No. FAA-2007-28059; 

Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-1 3-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 2013-15-10, Amendment 39-17526 (78 FR 54149, 

September 3, 2013). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce pic (RR) RB21 1-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61 , 

556-61, 556A2-61, 5568-61 , 55682-61, 560-61, 560A2-6 1, 768-60, 772-60, 7728-60, 

875-17,877-17,884-17, 8848-17,892-17,8928-17,895- 17, 970-84,9708-84,972-84, 

9728-84, 977-84, 9778-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines. 

(d) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in Trent 500, Trent 700, and Trent 

800 intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft rear balance lands and analysis 

that determined similar cracks may exist in Trent 900 engines. We are issuing this AD to 

6 
detect cracking on the IPC 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. 

(1) RB211-Trent 700 Engines- Rear Balance Land Inspections 

(i) 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 

IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

(NMSB) No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 4, dated March 21,2011, paragraphs 

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

paragraphs 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. 

(ii) 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 later. 

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

TPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 

2, dated July 7, 2011, paragraphs 3.A. through 3.B., to do the inspection. 

(iv) To meet the requirement of paragraph (e)(l)(i) ofthis AD, instead of a 

borescope inspection, you may perform an ECI using paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this AD. 

(2) RB211-Trent 800 Engines-Rear Balance Land Inspections 

(i) 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 IPC rotor shaft rear 

7 
balance land. Use RR AlertNMSB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21, 

201 1, paragraphs 3.A.(2)(a) through 3.A.(2)(c) and 3.A.(3)(a) through 3.A.(3)(c), for inshop procedures, or paragraphs 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. 

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

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

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

IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 

2, dated July 7, 2011, paragraphs 3.A. through 3.B., to do the inspection. 

(iv) To meet the requirement ofparagraph (e)(2)(i) of this AD, instead of a 

borescope inspection, you may perform an ECI using paragraph (e)(2)(iii) of this AD. 

(3) RB211-Trent 500 Engines-Rear Balance Land Inspections 

(i) Within 340 CIS after October 8, 2013, or before the next flight after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, borescope inspect the IPC rotor shaft 

rear balance land. Use RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH058, Revision 1, dated July 7, 

2014, paragraphs 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. 

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

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

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

IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 4, 

dated August 21,2014, paragraphs 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), and 3.D.(11) to do the inspection. 

8 
(iv) To meet the requirement of paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this AD, instead of a 

borescope inspection, you may perform an ECI using paragraph (e)(3)(iii) of this AD. 

(4) RB211-Trent 900 Engines-Rear Balance Land Inspections 

(i) Within 280 flight cycles after October 8, 2013, or before the next flight after 

the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, borescope inspect the IPC rotor 

shaft rear balance land. Use RR Alert NMSB No. RB.2ll-72-AH059, dated December 

11 , 2012, paragraphs 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. 

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

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

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

IPC rotor shaft rear balance land. Use RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 4, 

dated August 21, 2014, paragraphs 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), and 3.D.(ll) to do the inspection. 

(iv) To meet the requirement of paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this AD, instead of a 

borescope inspection, you may perfonn an ECI using paragraph (e)(4)(iii) of this AD. 

(5) RB211-Trcnt 500, RB211-Trent 700, RB211-Trent 800, and RB211-Trent 

900 Engines IPC Balance Weight Removal 

(i) RB211-Trent 500 engines. At the next shop visit after the effective date of this 

AD, remove the IPC balance weights, part numbers (PINs) AS44695-150, AS44695-175, 

AS44695-200, AS44695-225, AS44695-250, AS44695-275, and AS44695-300. 

9 
(ii) RB211-Trent 700 engines. At the next shop visit after the effective date of this 

AD, remove the IPC balance weights, PINs AS44695-150, AS44695-175, AS44695-200, 

AS44695-225, AS44695-250, AS44695-275, and AS44695-300. 

(iii) RB211-Trent 800 engines. At the next shop visit after the effective date of 

this AD, remove the IPC balance weights, PINs AS44695-150, AS44695-175, AS44695-

200, AS44695-225, AS44695-250, AS44695-275, and AS44695-300. 

(iv) RB211-Trent 900 engines. At the next shop visit after the effective date of 

this AD, remove the IPC balance weights, PINs AS44695-150, AS44695-175, AS44695-

200, AS44695-225, AS44695-250, AS44695-275, and AS44695-300. 

(v) Once you have removed the IPC balance weights, PINs AS44695-150, 

AS44695-175, AS44695-200, AS44695-225, AS44695-250, AS44695-275, and 

AS44695-300, do not re-install them on any IPC shaft rear balance land. 

(6) RB211-Trent 500, RB211-Trent 700, RB211-Trent 800, and RB211-Trent 

900 Engines-Terminating Action to Repetitive Borescope Inspections 

(i) Removal of the IPC balance weights as described in paragraph (e)(S) of this 

AD terminates the repetitive borescope inspection requirements in paragraphs (e)( 1) 

through (e)(4) of this AD. However, at each shop visit you must still do the ECI required 

by paragraphs (e)(I) through (e)(4) ofthis AD. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(f) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) RB211-Trent 700 engines. 

(i) If you borescope inspected an RB211-Trent 700 engine, before the effective 

date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 1, dated 

10 
December 14, 2009; or Revision 2, dated December 21, 2010; or Revision 3, dated 

February 25, 2011, you have met the requirements of paragraph (e)(l)(i) of this AD. 

(ii) If you eddy current inspected an RB211-Trent 700 engine, before the effective 

date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 1, dated 

September 27, 2010, you met the ECI requirement of paragraph (e)(l )(iii) of this AD. 

However, you are still required to perform the repetitive inspections required by 

paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) and (e)(l)(iii) of this AD. 

(2) RB211-Trent 800 engines. 

(i) If you borescope inspected an RB211-Trent 800 engine, before the effective 

date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 3, dated 

December 21, 2010; or Revision 4, dated February 25,2011, you met the requirements of 

paragraph (e)(2)(i) ofthis AD. 

(ii) If you eddy current inspected an RB211-Trent 800 engine, before the effective 

date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 1, dated 

September 27,2010, you met the ECI requirement of paragraph (e)(2)(iii) ofthis AD. 

However, you are still required to perform the repetitive inspections required by 

paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) and (e)(2)(iii) of this AD. 

(3) RB211-Trent 500 engines. 

(i) If you borescope inspected an RB211-Trent 500 engine, before the effective 

date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH058, dated December 13, 2012; or 

RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 2010; or Revision 3, 

dated July 7, 2011, you met the requirement of paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this AD. 

11 
(ii) If you eddy current inspected an RB211-Trent 500 engine, before the effective 

date of this AD, using RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 

2010; or Revision 3, dated July 7, 2011, you met the ECI requirement of paragraph 

(e)(3)(iii) ofthis AD. However, you are still required to perform the repetitive inspections 

required by paragraphs (e)(3)(ii) and (e)(3)(iii) of this AD. 

(4) RB211-Trent 900 engines. 

(i) If you borescope inspected an RB211-Trent 900 engine, before the effective 

date of this AD, using RR Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH059, dated December 11, 2012; or 

RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 201 0; or Revision 3, 

dated July 7, 2011, you met the requirements of paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this AD. 

(ii) If you eddy current inspected an RB211-Trent 900 engine, before the effective 

date of this AD, using RR NMSB No. RB.211-72-G448, Revision 2, dated December 23, 

2010; or Revision 3, dated July 7, 2011, you met the ECI requirement of paragraph 

(e)(4)(iii) ofthis AD. However, you are still required to perform the repetitive inspections 

required by paragraphs (e)(4)(ii) and (e)(4)(iii) of this AD. 

(g) Definition 

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

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

(h) 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. You may email your 

request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. 

12 
(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace 

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

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7765; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: kenneth.steeves@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2014-0152, dated June 

20,2014, and corrected on June 25,2014, for more information. You may examine the 

MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2007-28059-0028. 

U) 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 (RR) Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 

RB.211-72-G448, Revision 4, dated August 21,2014. 

(ii) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH058, Revision 1, dated July 7, 2014. 

( 4) The following service information was approved for IBR on October 8, 2013 

(78 FR 54149, September 3, 2013). 

(i) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AH059, dated December 11, 2012. 

13 
(ii) Reserved. 

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

(77 FR 31176, May 25, 2012). 

(i) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG270, Revision 4, dated March 21, 2011. 

(ii) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG085, Revision 2, dated July 7, 2011. 

(iii) RR Alert NMSB No. RB.211-72-AG264, Revision 5, dated March 21,2011. 

(6) For RR service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce pic, 

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011~4-

1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-249936; email: http://www.rollsroyce. com/contact/civil_ team.jsp; Internet: https://www.aeromanager.com. 

(7) You may view this service information at 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. 

(8) You may view this service information at the National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on the availability ofthis material at NARA, 

call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 16, 2015. 

Thomas A. Boudreau, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

14