EASA AD No.: 2012-0266

TE.CAP.00110-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 1/2

Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2012-0266

Date: 18 December 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):

RB211-535 Engines

TCDS Numbers: United Kingdom No.1044 and No.1049

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 72 Engine – Low Pressure Turbine Stage 2 Discs – Life Limits

Manufacturer(s): Rolls-Royce plc

Applicability: RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37 and RB211-535E4-C-37 engines, all 

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

Boeing 757 series aeroplanes.

RB211-535E4-B-75 engines, all serial numbers. These engines are known to 

be installed on, but not limited to, Tupolev TU 204 series aeroplanes.

Reason: A recent re-evaluation of Critical Part lives carried out by Rolls-Royce revealed 

changes to the thermal profile and stresses in certain features of the low 

pressure turbine (LPT) Stage 2 disc. These changes have resulted in a 

reduction of the cyclic life of the LPT stage 2 discs.

Operation of an engine equipped with a Critical Part that has exceeded its 

cyclic life may result in Critical Part failure, consequent release of high energy 

debris, damage to the aeroplane and/or injury to occupants.

For the reason described above, this AD requires the implementation of new 

provisional life limits to the LPT stage 2 discs, as well as replacement of LPT 

stage 2 discs, depending on the new provisional life limits and other operational 

criteria.

Effective Date: 01 January 2013
EASA AD No.: 2012-0266

TE.CAP.00110-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 2/2

Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 30 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, determine the 

accumulated cyclic life since new of each LPT Stage 2 disc and assign the 

appropriate life limit to each LPT Stage 2 disc in accordance with the 

instructions of Section 3 of Rolls-Royce Alert Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin (NMSB) RB.211-72-AH029.

(2) Following accomplishment of the actions as specified by (1) above, replace 

each LPT Stage 2 disc with a serviceable part within the criteria as 

specified in, and in accordance with the instructions of, Section 3 of RollsRoyce Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH029.

Ref. Publications: Rolls-Royce Alert NMSB RB.211-72-AH029, initial issue, dated 13 December 

2012.

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. Based on the required actions and the compliance time, EASA have 

decided to issue a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the 

public consultation process until after publication.

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, 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.