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

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 180 (Friday, September 18, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59048-59051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-8815; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00951-E; 
Amendment 39-23468; AD 2026-18-52]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG (RRD) Model RB211-Trent 875-17, 
877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 engines. The FAA 
previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and 
operators of these engines. This AD was prompted by reports of non-
conformances leading to low oil pressure events on low life oil pumps. 
This AD requires de-pairing of engines on airplanes with two affected 
engines installed to ensure no more than one affected oil pump is 
installed on twin-engine airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 21, 2026. Emergency AD 2026-18-
52, issued on September 5, 2026, which contains the requirements of 
this amendment, was effective with actual notice.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication identified in this AD as of 
September 21, 2026.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 2, 2026.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-8815; 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 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    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]. 
You

[[Page 59049]]

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-2026-8815.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 
(516) 228-7309; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-8815; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2026-00951-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Alexis 
Whitaker, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des 
Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued Emergency AD 2026-18-52, dated September 5, 2026 
(the emergency AD), to address an unsafe condition on all RRD Model 
RB211-Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-
17 engines. The FAA sent the emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and 
operators of these engines. The emergency AD requires de-pairing of 
engines on airplanes with two affected engines installed to ensure no 
more than one affected oil pump is installed on twin-engine airplanes.
    The emergency AD was prompted by EASA Emergency AD 2026-0173-E, 
dated September 4, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0173-E) (also referred 
to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition on 
all RRD Model RB211-Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 
892B-17, and 895-17 engines. The MCAI states that occurrences have been 
reported of non-conformances leading to low oil pressure events on low 
life oil pumps. Subsequent investigation identified a potential failure 
mode affecting the oil pump input coupling shear neck. This condition, 
if not addressed, could lead to a dual in-flight shutdown on airplanes 
equipped with two affected engines, resulting in reduced control of the 
airplane. 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-2026-8815.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA Emergency AD 2026-0173-E. This material 
specifies procedures for de-pairing of engines on airplanes with two 
affected engines installed to ensure no more than one affected oil pump 
is installed on twin-engine airplanes. 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.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
(CAA) 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 is issuing 
this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0173-E, described previously, except for any 
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. If final 
action is later identified, the FAA might consider additional 
rulemaking.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary 
source of information for compliance with requirements for 
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with 
manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, EASA Emergency AD 2026-0173-E is 
incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with 
EASA Emergency AD 2026-0173-E in its entirety through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this AD. Material required by EASA Emergency AD 
2026-0173-E for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-8815 after this AD is published.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2026-18-52, issued on

[[Page 59050]]

September 5, 2026, to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
engines. The FAA found that the risk to the flying public justified 
forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
oil pump can fail prematurely due to cracking of the internal rotor. 
This condition could lead to a dual in-flight shutdown on airplanes 
equipped with two affected engines, resulting in reduced control of the 
airplane. These conditions still exist; therefore, notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to 
the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 154 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Records check.........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $13,090
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repair or 
replacement that would be required based on the results of the records 
check. The agency has no way of determining the number of engines that 
might need this repair or replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                      Labor cost                Parts cost              Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair or replace oil pump.......  Up to 16 work-hours x     Up to $237,070..........  Up to $238,430.
                                    $85 per hour = $1,360.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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:

2026-18-52 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG: Amendment 39-
23468; Docket No. FAA-2026-8815; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00951-
E.

(a) Effective Date

    The FAA issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2026-18-52 
on September 5, 2026 (also referred to as the emergency AD), 
directly to affected owners and operators. As a result of such 
actual notice, the emergency AD was effective for those owners and 
operators on the date it was received. This AD contains the same 
requirements as the emergency AD and, for those who did not receive 
actual notice, is effective on September 21, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG 
Model RB211-Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, 
and 895-17 engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of non-conformances leading to 
low oil pressure events on low life oil pumps due to a failure mode 
affecting the oil pump input coupling shear neck. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address a failure mode affecting the oil pump input 
coupling shear neck. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
lead to a dual in-flight shutdown on airplanes equipped with two 
affected engines, resulting in reduced control of the airplane.

[[Page 59051]]

(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: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Emergency AD 2026-0173-E, dated September 4, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 
2026-0173-E).

(h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2026-0173-E

    (1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0173-E refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0173-E.

(i) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199, are not allowed.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD.
    (1) 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 or 
email to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520, 
Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Rolls-Royce 
Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 
If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Alexis Whitaker, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone: (516) 228-7309; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) Emergency AD 
2026-0173-E, dated September 4, 2026.
    (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]. You may find this material on the 
EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at 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 September 15, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19171 Filed 9-16-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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