Federal Register #2026-22774

FAA airworthiness directives for Rolls-Royce BR700-725A1-12 engines and Airbus EC130B4 helicopters

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation, issued two final airworthiness directives affecting Rolls-Royce Deutschland engines and Airbus Helicopters aircraft; these are safety regulations, not procurement requests. - Government buyer and issuing office: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. No specific office is identified. - OEMs: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG and Airbus Helicopters. EASA AD 2024-0136 is referenced as technical material for the Rolls-Royce directive. - Affected products and requirements: - Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR700-725A1-12 engines: all engines of this model are covered; the FAA estimates 758 engines are affected. Operators must revise approved engine maintenance or inspection programs to include updated airworthiness limitations, life-limited-part tasks, thresholds, and intervals. Estimated compliance impact is $85 per engine, or $64,430 total. - Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 helicopters: all helicopters of this model are covered. Required actions include modifying the swing door star support and sliding door star support stringer, and restricting installation of affected composite doors unless applicable requirements are met. - Notable safety concern: The Rolls-Royce directive addresses the risk of critical rotating-part failure, potentially causing engine failure, loss of thrust control, or loss of the aircraft. - Procurement status: No products or services are being solicited for purchase; the listed quantities describe affected equipment.

Description

The FAA issued a final rule establishing an airworthiness directive for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model BR700-725A1-12 engines. It requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new or more restrictive instructions and life-limited-part thresholds and intervals. The rule addresses the risk of critical rotating-part failure, which could lead to engine failure, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane. The directive is effective December 14, 2026, and requires the program revision within 30 days after that date, subject to the specified compliance provisions.

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