Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-18559
FAA Airworthiness Directive: Ultrasonic Inspection and Replacement of Rolls-Royce Deutschland RB211 Trent LPC Blades
Buyer
Federal Aviation Administration
Posted
September 11, 2026
Identifier
2026-18559
NAICS
336412
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Department of Transportation, has issued a final airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Deutschland RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - OEM Highlight: - Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG is the sole OEM for the affected engines and components - Products/Parts Affected: - Low-pressure compressor (LPC) blades with the following part numbers: - FK23411 - FK25441 - FK25968 - FW11901 - FW15393 - FW23643 - FW23741 - FW23744 - KH23403 - KH23404 - LV11570 - Applies to approximately 140 U.S.-registered engines - Services/Requirements: - Mandatory initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of LPC blades for sub-surface anomalies - Replacement of affected blades with eligible parts if anomalies are detected - Unique/Notable Requirements: - The FAA directive incorporates European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0144 by reference, but retains certain part numbers that were removed from the European directive - Compliance times and inspection intervals are specified by the referenced EASA AD, with the FAA effective date substituted - The directive is preventive, aiming to avoid blade airfoil separation and related safety risks
Description
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-06-16 for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines. The AD requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the affected low-pressure compressor blades for sub-surface anomalies and, depending on the results, replacement with a part eligible for installation. This action addresses unsafe conditions related to LPC blade airfoil separation that could result in engine damage and injury. The directive incorporates updated inspection procedures and compliance times based on revised service material from the manufacturer.