[4910-13-P]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0043; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00985-E; Amendment
39-22760; AD 2024-10-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all RollsRoyce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C,
Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H engines.
This AD is prompted by reports of cracking and separation of certain low-pressure
turbine (LPT) stage 1 blade assemblies. This AD requires initial and repetitive
inspections of affected LPT stage 1 blade assemblies for cracking or separation and,
depending on the results of the inspections, reduction of the inspection interval or
replacement of the LPT stage 1 blade set and disk. This AD also prohibits the installation
of an LPT disk or blade set assembly unless it is considered a serviceable part, as
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is
incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
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 of a
certain publication listed in this AD as of [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF
PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA2024-0043; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For EASA service information, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
• You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0043.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 2387241; email: sungmo.d.cho@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part
39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD Model Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE,

Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent
1000-H engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 01, 2024 (89
FR 6450). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-0165, dated August 22, 2023
(EASA AD 2023-0165) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that
manufacturer inspections detected cracking and separation of blade pairs in the weld
region of certain LPT stage 1 blade assemblies. A blade assembly consists of a pair of
blades welded together at the outer shroud. There are 85 LPT stage 1 blade assemblies in
one set. Such cracking and separation could cause failure of affected parts and damage to
the LPT module.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require accomplishing the actions specified in
EASA AD 2023-0165, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA-2024-0043.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received one comment from Boeing, which supported the NPRM
without change.
Additional Change Made to this Final Rule
Since the NPRM published, the FAA determined that paragraph (c) of the
proposed AD incorrectly included “Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Trent 1000.”
Therefore, the FAA has revised the applicability of this AD to remove that text. Since
there are no additional engines on the U.S. registry, no changes have been made to the
Costs of Compliance paragraph in this final rule.

Conclusion
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country
and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA’s bilateral
agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this
AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in
the NPRM. None of the changes increase the economic burden on any operator.
Related Service Information under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0165, which specifies procedures for
inspection of affected LPT stage 1 blade assembly outer shrouds and replacement of the
LPT stage 1 blade set and disk. EASA AD 2023-0165 also specifies a reduction of the
repetitive inspection intervals if cracking or separation is detected and meets certain
criteria. This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 28 engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated costs
Action

Labor Cost

Parts Cost

Inspect LPT
stage 1 blade
outer shroud

4 work-hours x
$85 per hour =
$340

$0

Cost per
product
$340

Cost on U.S.
operators
$9,520

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary replacements that
would be required based on the results of the inspection. The agency has no way of
determining the number of engines that might need these replacements.
On-condition costs
Action
Replace LPT stage
1 blade set
Replace LPT stage
1 disk

Labor Cost
10 work-hours x
$85 per hour =
$850
10 work-hours x
$85 per hour =
$850

Parts Cost
$466,480

Cost per product
$467,330

$256,908

$257,758

Authority for this Rulemaking
Title 49 of the 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.
The FAA is 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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska and
(3) 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.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA
amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2024-10-14 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-22760; Docket
No. FAA-2024-0043; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00985-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Trent 1000-A, Trent
1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and
Trent 1000-H engines.
(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking and separation of certain lowpressure turbine (LPT) stage 1 blade assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the LPT stage 1 blades. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
high energy debris release, damage to the airplane, and reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Perform all required
actions within the compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0165, dated August 22, 2023 (EASA
AD 2023-0165).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0165
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0165 refers to its effective date, this AD requires
using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 2023-0165.
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0165 specifies
discarding the removed low pressure (LP) turbine stage 1 blade set, this AD requires
removing the affected part from service.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0165 specifies
to quarantine the removed LP turbine stage 1 rotor disk, this AD requires removing the
affected part from service.
(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0165 specifies to
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal
inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: ANE-ADAMOC@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local Flight Standards
District Office/certificate holding district office.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 2387241; email: sungmo.d.cho@faa.gov.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference
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.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0165, dated
August 22, 2023.

(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2023-0165, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website:
easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA,
visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email
fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on May 16, 2024.

Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-14945 Filed: 7/8/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 7/9/2024]