AD 2018-13-07

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 7, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A, Trent 
1000-C, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H 
turbofan engine models.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of intermediate-pressure 
compressor (IPC) rotor blade cracks, which could lead to separations 
resulting in engine failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the IPC. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, 
and loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Inspect the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, at the applicable 
compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever comes first:
    (i) Within 30 days for the serial number IPC modules installed 
in the referenced serial number engines listed in Group 1 in 
Appendix 1 of RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 
Trent 1000 72-AK130, dated June 11, 2018, using the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-
AK130, dated June 11, 2018.
    (ii) Within 60 days for all IPC modules not listed in Group 1 in 
Appendix 1 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, dated June 11, 
2018, using the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1)(a), 
of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, dated June 11, 2018. Those 
serial number IPC modules specifically identified in Group 2 in 
Appendix 1 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, dated June 11, 
2018, do not require inspection.
    (iii) At the next engine shop visit, using the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(2)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-
AK130, dated June 11, 2018.
    (2) For IPC modules with 1,000 or more flight cycles, inspect 
the IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts within 
30 days of the effective date of this AD or at the next engine shop 
visit, whichever comes first.
    (i) For IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts 
inspected on-wing, use Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.B.(1)(a) and 3.C.(1)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, 
dated June 11, 2018.
    (ii) For IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts 
inspected in shop, use Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.B.(2)(a) and 3.C.(2)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK130, 
dated June 11, 2018.
    (3) For engines that are in an engine shop visit on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC 
stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts before 
returning the engine to service.
    (4) If any IPC stage 1 rotor blade, IPC stage 2 rotor blade, or 
an IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail post is found cracked during any 
inspection required by this AD, remove the part from service and 
replace the part with a part eligible for installation before 
further flight.

(h) Definition

    An ''engine shop visit'' is the induction of an engine into the 
shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major 
mating engine flanges (lettered flanges). The separation of engine 
flanges solely for the purpose of transportation of the engine 
without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine 
shop visit.

(i) Special Flight Permits

    (1) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are subject to the requirements of paragraph (i)(1)(i) 
of this AD.
    (i) Operators who are prohibited from further flight due to an 
IPC stage 1 rotor blade, IPC stage 2 rotor blade, or an IPC stage 2 
dovetail post being found cracked, may perform a one-time non-
revenue ferry flight to a location where the engine can be removed 
from service. This ferry flight must be performed without 
passengers, involve non-extended operations (ETOPS), and consume no 
more than three flight cycles.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) Reserved.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO 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 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You may email your 
request 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) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin M. Clark, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-
0128, dated June 12, 2018, for more information. You may examine the 
EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0590.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin 
(NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK130, Initial issue, dated June 11, 2018.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 
England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-
249936; email: royce.com">corporate.care@rolls-royce.com; internet: https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/rollsroycecare.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington,

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MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7759.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.