EASA AD No : 2009-0244 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/3 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2009-0244 

Date: 09 November 2009 

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 Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that Airworthiness 

Directive 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) : 

RB211-535 Series Engines 

TCDS Number : UK-CAA TCDS No. 1044, UK-CAA TCDS No. 1049 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 72 Engine – Low Pressure (LP) Turbine Stage 1, 2 and 3 Discs – 

Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): Rolls-Royce plc 

Applicability: 1) Engine models RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37 and RB211-535E4-C37. These engines are known to be installed, but not limited to Boeing 757 

series aircraft. 

2) Engine models RB211-535E4-B-75. These engines are known to be 

installed, but not limited to Tupolev Tu204 series aircraft. 

Reason: There have been several findings of cracking at the firtrees of LP Turbine discs. 

Fatigue crack initiation and subsequent crack propagation at the firtree may result 

in multiple LP Turbine blade release. The latter may potentially be beyond the 

containment capabilities of the engine casings. Thus, cracking at the firtrees of 

LP Turbine discs constitutes a potentially unsafe condition. 

Therefore this Airworthiness Directive requires a change to the inspection 

intervals of LP Turbine Discs. 

Effective Date: 23 November 2009 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

1) Initial Inspection Requirements

1.1) If at the effective date of this AD the engine is at Refurbishment (Level 

3) shop visit or Overhaul (Level 4) shop visit and the LP Turbine Stage 1 

Disc is exposed and rebuild has not started yet, carry out the actions defined 
EASA AD No : 2009-0244 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/3 

in Section 3. Accomplishment Instructions, subsection C. of Rolls-Royce 

Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 72-AG272, Initial Issue. 

1.2) If, at the effective date of this AD the engine is at Refurbishment (Level 

3) shop visit or Overhaul (Level 4) shop visit and the LP Turbine Stage 2 

Disc is exposed, carry out the actions defined in Section 3. Accomplishment 

Instructions, subsection D. of Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

(NMSB) No. 72-AG272, Initial Issue. 

1.3) If, at the effective date of this AD, the engine is at Refurbishment (Level 

3) shop visit or Overhaul (Level 4) shop visit and the LP Turbine Stage 3 

Disc is exposed, carry out the actions defined in Section 3. Accomplishment 

Instructions, subsection E. of Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

(NMSB) No. 72-AG272, Initial Issue. 

1.4) If, at the effective date of this AD, the engine is in the shop and rebuild 

has proceeded to a point where some or all of the inspections required by 

1.1), 1.2) or 1.3) cannot be accomplished, or if the engine is not in the shop, 

complete the inspections by carrying out the applicable actions defined in 

Section 3, Accomplishment Instructions, of Rolls-Royce Non-Modification 

Service Bulletin (NMSB) No. 72-AG272, Initial Issue, at 

-the next engine refurbishment shop visit 

or 

-at the next Module 41 (04) Level 3 (refurbishment) shop visit 

or 

-at the next Module 51 (05) Level 3 (refurbishment) shop visit 

or 

-at the next Level 4 (overhaul) shop visit, 

whichever occurs first. 

2.) Repeat Inspection Requirements

Carry out the inspections defined in Section 3. Accomplishment Instructions 

of Rolls-Royce NMSB No. 72-AG272, Initial Issue at 

-every engine refurbishment shop visit 

and 

-every Module 41 (04) Level 3 (refurbishment) 

and 

-every Module 51 (05) Level 3 (refurbishment) 

and 

-every Level 4 (overhaul) shop visit, 

if the engine has accumulated more than 1500 cycles since the last 

inspection of the LP Turbine stage 1, 2 or 3 Discs. 

Ref. Publications: 

Rolls-Royce RB211 Propulsion System Non Modification Service Bulletin 

(NMSB) No. 72-AG272, Initial Issue. 

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 07 October 2009 as PAD 09-119 for consultation 

until 04 November 2009. No comments were received during the 

consultation period. 

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

Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification 

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

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: 

Rolls-Royce plc., P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; 
EASA AD No : 2009-0244 

EASA Form 110 Page 3/3 

Telephone: +44 (0) 1332 242424, Fax: +44 (0) 1332 249936; 

Email: tech.help@rolls-royce.com or download the publication from 

https://www.aeromanager.com/