[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10959-10961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04448]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1730; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01122-E;
Amendment 39-23273; AD 2026-04-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 7000-72 and Trent
7000-72C engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's
determination that certain intervals for visual inspection of the
intermediate pressure 8 (IP8) and high pressure 3 (HP3) air tubes need
to be reduced for certain engines, and instructions for visual
inspection of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes were not available for certain
other engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual
inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes for cracking, damage, or air
leakage wear, and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 10, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 10,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1730; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected];
website: easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-1730.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD Model Trent
7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C engines. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on August 7, 2025 (90 FR 38078). The NPRM was prompted
by EASA AD 2023-0186, dated October 27, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0186) (also
referred to as the MCAI) issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that the
manufacturer's normal engine maintenance instructions for visual
inspection to determine the integrity of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes at
intervals consistent with exposure assumptions used in critical part
life assessments may result in the fracture of an affected part
remaining undetected for a longer period than assumed. Thus, more
frequent visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes are necessary.
Also, instructions for visual inspection of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes
were not available for certain other engines. The manufacturer issued
service material that provides instructions for visual inspections of
the IP8 and HP3 air tubes for all affected engines. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced efficiency of
internal cooling and sealing flows, failure of the IP8 air tubes and
HP3 air tubes, damage to the engine, and reduced control of the
airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require initial and repetitive
visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air tubes for cracking, damage,
or air leakage wear, and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1730.
[[Page 10960]]
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from two commenters. The commenters were
the Airline Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and Delta Air
Lines Inc. (Delta). ALPA supported the NPRM without change. The
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to the comment.
Request To Change Compliance Time Requirements
Delta requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h) of the proposed
AD to add an exception for Group 1 engines (on-wing) requiring air tube
inspection ``within 50 cycles after the effective date of this AD''
rather than ``within 30 days after the effective date of the AD.''
Delta noted that a cycle-based limit would allow compliant inspection
for engines that are added to Delta's fleet in the future, which may be
past the 30 day compliance time (B) listed in Table 1 of EASA AD 2023-
0186.
The FAA disagrees with the request to change on-wing compliance
time requirements to a cycle-based limit because the calendar time
compliance adequately addresses the unsafe condition and the use of 30
days is consistent with the MCAI. Operators may request an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified
in paragraph (j) of this AD, provided sufficient data are submitted to
substantiate that the AMOC would provide an acceptable level of safety.
The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0186, which specifies procedures for
performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3
air tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and replacement if
necessary. This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 100 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect the IP8 and HP3 air tubes..... 3 work-hours x $85 per $0 $255 $25,500
hour = $255.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of engines
that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace air tube.............................. 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,000 $1,255
$255.
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
[[Page 10961]]
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2026-04-13 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-23273;
Docket No. FAA-2025-1730; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01122-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 10, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model
Trent 7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7500, Engine Bleed
Air System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's determination that
certain intervals for visual inspection of the intermediate pressure
8 (IP8) and high pressure 3 (HP3) air tubes need to be reduced for
certain engines, and instructions for visual inspection of the IP8
and HP3 air tubes were not available for certain other engines. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the IP8 and HP3 air
tubes. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
reduced efficiency of internal cooling and sealing flows, failure of
the IP8 air tubes and HP3 air tubes, damage to the engine, and
reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD,
perform all required actions within the compliance times specified
in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD
2023-0186, dated October 27, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0186).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0186
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0186 requires compliance from its
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(2) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2023-0186 states ``any damage
is detected'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``any
cracking, damage, or sign of air leakage is detected''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD
2023-0186.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0186
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued Operational
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (k) of this AD and email 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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0186,
dated October 27, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on February 20, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04448 Filed 3-5-26; 8:45 am]
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