Federal Register #FAA20268783

FAA Proposed Rule for Inspections and Replacement of HPT Blades in Rolls-Royce Trent7000 Engines

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Department of Transportation, is proposing a new airworthiness directive for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Aircraft Certification Service, Integrated Certificate Management Division - OEM Highlight: - Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG is the sole OEM for the affected engines and components - Products/Services Requested: - On-wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades in Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines - Replacement of HPT blade sets if axial cracking is detected - No specific part numbers provided; applies to all HPT blades in the specified engine models - Notable Requirements: - Compliance with updated European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0266 - Removes the reduced life limit for affected HPT blades - Revises inspection intervals and criteria for axial cracking - Estimated 78 engines in the U.S. affected - FAA is seeking public comments on the proposed rule - The notice is a proposed rulemaking, not a contract award, and does not specify procurement of new engines but mandates inspection and maintenance actions.

Description

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-11-15, which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. The AD requires initial and repetitive on-wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on inspection results, replacement of the HPT blade set. The proposed AD would continue these inspections, remove the reduced life limit for affected HPT blades, and revise the HPT blade limits for axial cracking to address an unsafe condition.

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