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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2007-0201 

Date: 01 August 2007

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 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60 and 772C-60 

TCDS No: EASA E.042 

Foreign AD number: Not applicable 

Supersedure: This AD supersedes EASA AD 2006-0355. 

[EASA AD 2006-0355 superseded CAA United Kingdom AD G-2004-0016 (EASA Approval Number 

2004-6754), which superseded CAA-UK AD G-2003-0016 (EASA Approval Number 2003-1866)] 

ATA 72 Engine – HP/IP Turbine Bearing Oil Vent Tubes – Inspection / 

Cleaning / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Rolls-Royce plc 

Applicability: Models RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60 and 772C-60 engines, all 

serial numbers. These engines are known to be installed on, but not limited 

to, Airbus A330 series aeroplanes. 

Reason: In October 2003 an uncontained multiple Intermediate Pressure (IP) turbine 

blade release occurred on an RB211 Trent 700 series engine. The blade 

release was the result of an overspeed of the IP turbine rotor that was 

initiated by an internal fire in the HP/IP bearing chamber. Post incident 

analysis established that blockage of the HP/IP turbine bearing oil vent 

tube, due to oil coking, is a significant factor in the failure sequence. 

Airworthiness Directive G-2003-0016 (EASA Approval Number 2003-1866) 

was issued requiring a one-time inspection and cleaning of the HP/IP 

turbine bearing vent tube. AD G-2004-0016 (EASA Approval Number 

2004-6754) revised and superseded G-2003-0016 by introducing repetitive 

inspections/cleaning and some changes to the threshold lives. 

In April 2006 a vent pipe breach incident occurred on another engine, 

resulting in oil loss, in which it is suspected that carbon build up within the 

vent pipe was a contributing factor. This indicated that further measures 

were necessary to enhance the cleaning requirements in order to control 

carbon build-up. Airworthiness Directive EASA AD 2006-0355 was issued, 

superseding United Kingdom CAA AD G-2004-0016 and introducing 

enhanced cleaning requirements. 
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Further analysis has now identified that previous intervention actions may 

have exacerbated the problem of carbon formation in the vent pipe. These 

intervention actions are believed to loosen carbon fragments which are 

subsequently released during engine running, leading to blockage downstream in the vent flow restrictor. The resultant reduced vent pipe flow will 

then cause accelerated carbon build up inside the pipe and increased 

likelihood of auto-ignition. 

This AD has therefore been revised to include an additional inspection of 

the vent pipe restrictor, which should only be carried out after an engine 

run to high power, following the vent pipe cleaning procedure.

Effective Date: 15 August 2007 

Compliance/Action: VENT TUBE INSPECTIONS 

A. On-Wing Compliance: 

(1) For engines with a 05 module installed that are below the threshold 

life of 10,000 hours or 2,500 cycles since new (whichever occurs 

first), carry out the Action (part C. below) within 3 months after 

reaching the threshold life. 

 (2) For engines with a 05 module installed that has already exceeded 

the threshold life in (1) and have not previously undergone the 

Action (part C. below), carry out the Action within 1 month after the 

effective date of this Airworthiness Directive. 

Note: for the purposes of compliance with this Airworthiness 

Directive, inspection/cleaning carried out previously in 

accordance with the superseded Airworthiness Directives is 

deemed to be valid. 

Note: all engines should have previously met this requirement 

in compliance with the superseded AD. 

(3) Following return to service repeat the Action below within the 

intervals previously established. 

Note: re-inspection intervals previously established in 

compliance with the superseded Airworthiness Directives 

remain valid until this Airworthiness Directive is accomplished. 

B. In-Shop Compliance: 

Carry out the Action (part C. below) for engines at every engine shop 

visit. 

C. Action: 

(1) Inspect, clean and replace (as necessary) the HP/IP turbine 

bearing internal and external oil vent tubes and bearing chamber (if 

specified) and repeat inspect the Vent Flow Restrictor (after either 

high power ground run, or between 1 and 25 service cycles after 

inspection/cleaning) in accordance with Section 3 Accomplishment 

Instructions of Rolls-Royce Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin 

RB211-72-AE302 Revision 5 (or later approved revision). 

(2) Acceptance Criteria and Re-inspection Requirements: 

a) HP/IP turbine bearing internal oil vent tubes confirmed to be 
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free of carbon by passing the Rolls-Royce cleaning tool 

(HU80298) through the full length may be returned to service 

and are subject to repeat interval of 6,400 hours or 1,600 cycles 

(whichever occurs first). 

b) HP/IP turbine bearing internal oil vent tubes which contain 

blockage that prevents the Rolls-Royce cleaning tool (HU80298) 

from passing through the full length must be removed from 

service (with the engine) within 10 cycles after the inspection. 

c) HP/IP turbine bearing external oil vent tubes (IPC ref 79-22-49, 

10-100 and 10-500) which contain carbon of visible (by 

borescope inspection) thickness after cleaning may not be 

returned to service. 

Ref. Publications: Rolls-Royce Alert Non Mod Service Bulletin RB211-72-AE302 Revision 5

(or later approved revisions). 

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

manager for the related product has the authority to accept Alternative 

Method of Compliance (AMOC) for this AD. 

2. This AD has been posted as PAD 07-099 on 15 June 2007 for 

consultation until 28 June 2007. No comments were received during this 

period. 

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