1/3 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No : 2006 - 0182 

Date: 28 June 2006

No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the 

requirements of that Airworthiness Directive unless otherwise agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry.

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

ROLLS-ROYCE PLC 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

RB211-535 

TCDS Number : UK-CAA: 1044 and 1049 

Foreign AD : None 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 72 Engine Turbine Section – High Pressure Turbine - Inspection 

Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce PLC 

Applicability: RB211-535C, RB211-535E4, RB211-535E4-B, RB211-535E4-C 

Reason: HPT Discs recently inspected in accordance with the Engine Manual have 

exhibited cracks in the disc rim. The discs have failed to meet the 

inspection acceptance criteria and have been returned to Rolls-Royce for 

engineering investigation. 

This investigation has concluded that the cracks have resulted from scores 

within the cooling air holes in the disc rim that could have been introduced 

during new part manufacture or during overhaul of the disc. The 

engineering investigation has concluded that if this cracking was 

undetected then it could result in uncontained disc failure and a potential 

unsafe condition for the aircraft. 

Background Information: UK CAA Airworthiness Directive G-2004-0027 for 

Reaming Induced Machining Anomalies (RIMA) addresses the same HPT 

Disc Rim cooling air hole feature as this AD. 

The Eddy Current Inspection procedure as defined in Rolls-Royce TSD594-

J Overhaul Process Manual Task 70-00-00-200-223 has previously been 

required to be undertaken in Non-Mod Service Bulletins: 72-C816, 72-

C817, 72-AE651, 72-AE717, 72-AE718. 
2/3 

Effective Date: 10 July 2006 

Compliance: Carry out an Eddy Current Inspection (ECI), as defined in paragraph 3, 

Accomplishment Instructions of Rolls-Royce NMSB 72-AE969 or later 

EASA approved revision, of RB211-535 series engine HP Turbine discs in 

accordance with the following schedule: 

1) If the HP Turbine disc has an accumulated life less than or equal to

17500 cycles since new on the effective date of this Directive, 

inspect the disc by whichever is the soonest of the following 

requirements: 

(a) Inspect the disc prior to reaching 18000 cycles since new. 

(b) Inspect the disc at next engine shop visit where the HP 

Turbine rotor is removed from the Combustor Outer Casing 

(COC) and the disc life is greater than 5000 cycles since 

new. 

(c) At current engine shop visit if the HP Turbine rotor has been 

removed from the COC and it has not yet been reinstalled 

into the COC on the effective date of this Directive and the 

disc life is greater than 5000 cycles since new. 

2) If the HP Turbine disc has an accumulated life greater than 17500 

cycles since new on the effective date of this Directive, inspect the 

disc by whichever is the soonest of the following requirements: 

(a) Inspect the disc within 500 cycles 

(b) Inspect the disc at next engine shop visit where the HP 

Turbine rotor is removed from the COC . 

(c) At current engine shop visit if the HP Turbine rotor has been 

removed from the COC and it has not yet been reinstalled 

into the COC on the effective date of this Directive. 

3) Repeat the inspection of the of the HP Turbine disc at every 

subsequent engine shop visit where the HP Turbine blades are 

removed from the HP Turbine disc. 

4) If an HP Turbine disc has previously been inspected in accordance 

with the Eddy Current Inspection requirements of Rolls-Royce 

TSD594-J Overhaul Process Manual Task 70-00-00-200-223 at an 

HP Turbine disc life of greater than 5000 cycles since new, then that 

inspection meets the initial inspection requirements of paragraphs 

(1) and (2) of this Directive. 

Previous inspections may have been conducted as instructed in other 

Service Bulletins referenced in the Reason section of this Airworthiness 

Directive. 
3/3 

Ref. Publications: Rolls-Royce RB211 Propulsion System Non Modification Service Bulletin 

Mod No: 72-AE969 

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated the responsible EASA 

manager for the related product has the authority to accept Alternative 

Methods of Compliance (AMOC) for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted as PAD 06-134 for consultation on 29 May 2006 with 

a comment period until 16 June 2006. The Comment Response Document 

can be found at: http://ad.easa.eu.int/ . 

3. Enquiries regarding this Airworthiness Directive should be referred to Mr 

M. Capaccio, Airworthiness Directive Focal Point – Certification 

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

4. For any questions 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.