Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10959-10961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04448]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-1730; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01122-E; 
Amendment 39-23273; AD 2026-04-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 7000-72 and Trent 
7000-72C engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's 
determination that certain intervals for visual inspection of the 
intermediate pressure 8 (IP8) and high pressure 3 (HP3) air tubes need 
to be reduced for certain engines, and instructions for visual 
inspection of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes were not available for certain 
other engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes for cracking, damage, or air 
leakage wear, and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 10, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 10, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1730; 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:
    <bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; 
website: easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> 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. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-1730.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

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 
7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C engines. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on August 7, 2025 (90 FR 38078). The NPRM was prompted 
by EASA AD 2023-0186, dated October 27, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0186) (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 the 
manufacturer's normal engine maintenance instructions for visual 
inspection to determine the integrity of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes at 
intervals consistent with exposure assumptions used in critical part 
life assessments may result in the fracture of an affected part 
remaining undetected for a longer period than assumed. Thus, more 
frequent visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes are necessary. 
Also, instructions for visual inspection of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes 
were not available for certain other engines. The manufacturer issued 
service material that provides instructions for visual inspections of 
the IP8 and HP3 air tubes for all affected engines. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced efficiency of 
internal cooling and sealing flows, failure of the IP8 air tubes and 
HP3 air tubes, damage to the engine, and reduced control of the 
airplane.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require initial and repetitive 
visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes for cracking, damage, 
or air leakage wear, and replacement if necessary. 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-2025-1730.

[[Page 10960]]

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two commenters. The commenters were 
the Airline Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and Delta Air 
Lines Inc. (Delta). ALPA supported the NPRM without change. The 
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to the comment.

Request To Change Compliance Time Requirements

    Delta requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h) of the proposed 
AD to add an exception for Group 1 engines (on-wing) requiring air tube 
inspection ``within 50 cycles after the effective date of this AD'' 
rather than ``within 30 days after the effective date of the AD.'' 
Delta noted that a cycle-based limit would allow compliant inspection 
for engines that are added to Delta's fleet in the future, which may be 
past the 30 day compliance time (B) listed in Table 1 of EASA AD 2023-
0186.
    The FAA disagrees with the request to change on-wing compliance 
time requirements to a cycle-based limit because the calendar time 
compliance adequately addresses the unsafe condition and the use of 30 
days is consistent with the MCAI. Operators may request an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (j) of this AD, provided sufficient data are submitted to 
substantiate that the AMOC would provide an acceptable level of safety. 
The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil 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, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments 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 will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0186, which specifies procedures for 
performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 
air tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and replacement if 
necessary. 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 the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 100 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the IP8 and HP3 air tubes.....  3 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $255         $25,500
                                         hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace air tube..............................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $1,000          $1,255
                                                 $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 10961]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2026-04-13 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-23273; 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1730; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01122-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 10, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
Trent 7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7500, Engine Bleed 
Air System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's determination that 
certain intervals for visual inspection of the intermediate pressure 
8 (IP8) and high pressure 3 (HP3) air tubes need to be reduced for 
certain engines, and instructions for visual inspection of the IP8 
and HP3 air tubes were not available for certain other engines. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the IP8 and HP3 air 
tubes. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
reduced efficiency of internal cooling and sealing flows, failure of 
the IP8 air tubes and HP3 air tubes, damage to the engine, 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 AD 
2023-0186, dated October 27, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0186).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0186

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0186 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2023-0186 states ``any damage 
is detected'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``any 
cracking, damage, or sign of air leakage is detected''.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD 
2023-0186.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0186 
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 AIR-520 Continued Operational 
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (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 Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0186, 
dated October 27, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; 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 [email protected].

    Issued on February 20, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04448 Filed 3-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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