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

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 166 (Friday, August 28, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55454-55457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17582]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-4640; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00073-E; 
Amendment 39-23449; AD 2026-17-06]
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 Trent7000-72 and 
Trent7000-72C engines. This AD was prompted by reports of engine in-
flight shut-downs (IFSDs) caused by the premature failure of certain 
parts. This AD prohibits the installation of certain lubrication/
scavenge pumps unless certain installation criteria are met. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 2, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 2, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-4640; 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:

[[Page 55455]]

    <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. You may find this material on the EASA website 
at ad.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-2026-4640.

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 
Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on May 20, 2026 (91 FR 29391). The NPRM was prompted 
by AD 2024-0029, dated January 29, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 
2024-0029) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that there 
have been reports of engine IFSDs prompted by low oil pressure 
indications. An investigation revealed that these events were caused by 
early-life failure of the internal eccentric ring/gerotor in certain 
affected lubrication/scavenge oil pumps due to eccentric contact 
between the ring and gerotor causing wear on the components. To address 
this potential unsafe condition, the manufacturer published service 
material that provides installation criteria for the affected oil 
pumps.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require prohibiting the 
installation of certain lubrication/scavenge pumps unless certain 
installation criteria are met. 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-2026-4640.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Request To Prohibit Operation of an Engine With an Affected Part

    DAL requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h)(2) of the proposed 
AD to prohibit the operation of an affected part unless the 
installation criteria defined in RRD Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
(NMSB) TRENT 1000 79-AK868, Revision 3, dated December 11, 2023 (RRD 
NMSB TRENT 1000 79-AK868, Revision 3) are met. DAL stated that two of 
the installation criteria defined in RRD NMSB TRENT 1000 79-AK868, 
Revision 3 require knowledge of the cycles since repair (CSR), cycles 
since overhaul (CSO), and cycles since new (CSN) of the oil pump on the 
opposite engine. DAL noted that during installation of an affected part 
on a spare engine or during an engine shop visit for maintenance, it is 
not always known which aircraft an engine will be installed on. DAL 
further noted that in such cases, it is impossible to determine the 
CSR, CSO, or CSN of the oil pump on the opposite engine, and the 
installation criteria defined in RRD NMSB TRENT 1000 79-AK868, Revision 
3 cannot be complied with prior to pump installation.
    The FAA disagrees with the request. The FAA infers that the intent 
of the request is to prohibit the operation of an engine having an 
affected part installed unless the installation criteria from RRD NMSB 
TRENT 1000 79-AK868, Revision 3, are met. The FAA clarifies that this 
operation prohibition is already required by the AD because 14 CFR 39.7 
specifies that once an AD is issued, no person may operate a product to 
which the AD applies except in accordance with the requirements of that 
AD. The intent of this AD is to prevent the installation of affected 
parts unless they meet the installation criteria from RRD NMSB TRENT 
1000 79-AK868, Revision 3. The FAA did not change this AD as a result 
of this comment.

Request To Remove Documentation Requirement

    DAL requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h) of the proposed AD 
to state that documentation of the accomplishment of RRD NMSB TRENT 79-
AK868, Revision 3, is not required. Delta noted that RRD NMSB TRENT 79-
AK868, Revision 3, requires operators to record accomplishment of the 
completed work in the engine logbook. DAL further noted that they do 
not use engine logbooks to document engine maintenance performed while 
the engine is installed on an airplane and should be permitted to 
incorporate the installation criteria into the DAL Continued 
Airworthiness Maintenance Program instead. DAL stated that requiring a 
logbook entry creates unnecessary administrative burden to operators.
    The FAA agrees to clarify. An operator may record the 
accomplishment of RRD NMSB TRENT 79-AK868, Revision 3, in a document or 
system other than an engine logbook, or an equivalent record, including 
their continuing airworthiness maintenance program. 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 2024-0029, which specifies installation 
criteria for affected oil pumps each time an affected part is installed 
or reinstalled on an engine. 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 98 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 55456]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
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Verify installation criteria before each   .50 work-hours x $85 per              $0       $42.50          $4,165
 pump installation.                         hour = $42.50.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary screening 
tests that would be required based on the results of the installation 
criteria verification. The agency has no way of determining the number 
of engines that might need these screening tests:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Action                                Labor cost              Parts cost     Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perform oil pump screening test.............  4 work-hours x $85 per hour =                $0               $340
                                               $340.
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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

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:

2026-17-06 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-23449; 
Docket No.FAA-2026-4640; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00073-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 2, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7261, Turbine Engine 
Oil System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of engine in-flight shut-downs 
(IFSDs) due to low oil pressure indications, which were caused by 
the early-life failure of the internal eccentric ring/gerotor. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to require certain installation criteria be 
met for affected oil pumps prior to installation or reinstallation 
on an engine. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in failure of the affected oil pump, and engine IFSD with consequent 
reduced control or loss of 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 paragraph (h) of this AD, perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0029, 
dated January 29, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0029).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0029

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0029 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0029 states ``From the 
effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install an affected part 
on any engine, or an engine equipped with an affected part on any 
airplane, provided that, prior to installation, it is determined 
that the installation criteria defined in the NMSB are met'', this 
AD requires replacing that text with ``From the effective date of 
this AD, do not install an affected part unless the installation 
criteria defined in the NMSB are met''.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD 
2024-0029.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 
Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD and email to:

[[Page 55457]]

[email protected]. 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.

(j) 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].

(k) 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 2024-0029, 
dated January 29, 2024.
    (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 August 19, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-17582 Filed 8-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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