Federal Register #FAA20267225

FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directives for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Engines and Airbus EC130B4 Helicopters

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing new airworthiness directives affecting specific aircraft engines and helicopters: - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service - OEMs Involved: - Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Trent 1000 engine) - Airbus Helicopters (EC130B4 helicopter) - Products/Services Requested: - Inspection of high-pressure turbine (HPT) triple seal for excessive wear on Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines - Estimated 4 U.S. engines affected - Inspection labor cost: $170 per engine - If excessive wear is found, replacement of HPT triple seal and intermediate-pressure turbine (IPT) disk required - Replacement cost: $251,360 per engine - Inspection and compliance actions for Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 sliding door locking mechanisms per EASA AD 20240232 - Unique/Notable Requirements: - The directive supersedes a previous AD (2023-12-16) for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines - Rolls-Royce has developed a modification that may remove the need for inspection for some engines - The directive updates requirements and removes certain engine serial numbers from applicability - The goal is to prevent excessive wear that could lead to IPT disk failure and potential aircraft damage - No specific part numbers or purchase quantities are provided, as this is a regulatory compliance action - Compliance times are specified in the referenced EASA ADs, not as fixed contract periods

Description

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-12-16, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model Trent 1000 engines. The existing AD requires inspection of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) triple seal for excessive wear and replacement of the HPT triple seal and intermediate-pressure turbine (IPT) disk as needed. The manufacturer has developed a modification that removes the need for the inspection. This proposed AD would continue to require the inspection and replacement as necessary but would remove certain engine serial numbers from applicability. The FAA aims to address the unsafe condition of excessive wear that could lead to IPT disk failure and potential damage to the airplane.

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