AD 2018-08-02

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 24, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A2, Trent 
1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-
E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and 
Trent 1000-L2 turbofan engines.

(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 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 before exceeding the 
applicable initial inspection thresholds specified in Table 1 of RR 
Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72-AK060, 
dated April 13, 2018, or within 80 flight cycles (FCs) after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. If Direct 
Accumulation Count cycles, as specified in Table 1 of RR Alert NMSB 
Trent 1000 72-AK060, are not available, then use FCs, regardless of 
Engine Health Monitoring alerts. Thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 200 FCs, repeat the inspection of the IPC stage 1 rotor 
blades. Use the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A., of RR 
Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK060, dated April 13, 2018 to perform the 
inspections.
    (2) Perform an initial inspection of the IPC stage 2 rotor 
blades and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, using the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of RR Alert NMSB Trent 
1000 72-AK060, dated April 13, 2018. Perform the initial inspection 
based on engine operations as specified in the following paragraphs 
and within the following compliance times:
    (i) For engines with less than 300 FCs since new on the 
effective date of this AD:
    (A) For engines that are not operated on ETOPS (extended 
operations) flights, prior to exceeding 300 FCs or within 50 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (B) For engines that are operated on ETOPS flights, before 
exceeding 300 FCs or before the next ETOPS flight, whichever occurs 
later.
    (ii) For engines with 300 or more FCs since new on the effective 
date of this AD:
    (A) For engines that are not operated on ETOPS flights, prior to 
exceeding 50 days after the effective date of this AD or within 80 
FCs since the last inspection performed in accordance with RR Alert 
NMSB Trent 1000 72-AJ819, whichever occurs later. This inspection is 
not to exceed 200 FCs since the previous inspection.
    (B) For engines that are operated on ETOPS flights, before the 
next ETOPS flight, or within 80 FCs since the last inspection 
performed in accordance with RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AJ819, 
whichever occurs later.
    (3) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 80 FCs, repeat the 
inspections of the IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC shaft stage 2 
dovetail posts required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. Use the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of RR Alert Trent 1000 
72-AK060, dated April 13, 2018, to perform these inspections.
    (4) For engines involved in ETOPS operations, inspect the rear 
face of IPC stage 2 rotor blades, part number KH25730, at each 
inspection interval defined in paragraph

[[Page 17749]]

(g)(3) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.C., of RR Alert Trent 1000 72-AK060, dated 
April 13, 2018.
    (5) As of the effective date of this AD, before the next flight 
after each occurrence where engine operation in asymmetric power 
conditions was sustained for more than 30 minutes at less than 
25,000 feet, either resulting from engine power reduction, or from 
engine in-flight shut-down (IFSD), perform an on-wing borescope 
inspection of the IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC shaft stage 2 
dovetail posts on the unaffected engine (no power reduction, no 
IFSD) installed on the airplane. Use the Accomplishment 
Instructions, either paragraph 3.B. for engines not involved in 
ETOPS operations, or paragraphs 3.B. and 3.C. for engines involved 
in ETOPS operations, of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK060, dated 
April 13, 2018, to perform this inspection.
    (6) 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, replace the part with a part 
eligible for installation before further flight.

(h) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, flight cycles indicated in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD are those accumulated by the engine. FCs indicated 
in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD are those accumulated by each 
affected IPC stage 2 rotor blade since first installation on an 
engine. If FCs accumulated by an affected IPC stage 2 rotor blade 
are unknown, then engine FCs since new apply.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) If you performed the initial inspections required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD before the effective date of this AD, using 
any of the following you met the initial inspection requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this AD; however, all of the repetitive actions 
still apply:
    (i) RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AJ814, Initial Issue, dated 
August 17, 2017, or Revision 1, dated September 26, 2017; or
    (ii) RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK058, Initial Issue, dated 
March 30, 2018;
    (iii) RR NMSB Trent 1000 72-AJ819, Revision 1, October 9, 2017, 
or Initial Issue, dated August 17, 2017.
    (2) Reserved.

(j) 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 (j)(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 shaft 
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-ETOPS operation, and consume no more than 
three FCs.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) Reserved.

(k) 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 (l)(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.

(l) 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-
0084, dated April 13, 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-2018-0314.

(m) 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-AJ819, Revision 2, dated April 12, 2018.
    (ii) RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72-AK060, Initial Issue, dated 
April 13, 2018.
    (3) For RR 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, 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.