Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines
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Issuing agencies
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-H, Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. This AD was prompted by an investigation which revealed that certain low- pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades are at risk of cracking due to incorrect dressing. This AD requires inspecting the LPC fan blades for evidence of incorrect dressing, and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 223 (Friday, November 21, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 223 (Friday, November 21, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52558-52560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20598]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-4003; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01205-E;
Amendment 39-23194; AD 2025-23-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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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 1000-A, Trent
1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent
1000-G, Trent 1000-H, Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2,
Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent
1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. This
AD was prompted by an investigation which revealed that certain low-
pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades are at risk of cracking due to
incorrect dressing. This AD requires inspecting the LPC fan blades for
evidence of incorrect dressing, and replacement if necessary. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 8, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 8,
2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by January 5, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-4003; 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
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3475704774515547551a5141465b44551a5141"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eaabae99aa8f8b998bc48f9f98859a8bc48f9f">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website
at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-4003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(516) 228-7309; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#42232e273a2b316c286c352a2b3623292730022423236c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="61000d041908124f0b4f16090815000a0413210700004f060e17">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-4003; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01205-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Alexis
Whitaker, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD
2025-0143, dated July 08, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0143) (also referred to as
the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on all RRD Model Trent 1000-
A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-D, Trent
1000-E, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-H, Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2,
Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent
1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2
engines. The MCAI states that an investigation revealed that certain
LPC fan blades are at risk of cracking due to incorrect dressing, which
may have been performed on areas of low wall thickness and high
localized internal stress levels. To address this unsafe condition, the
manufacturer published service information that specifies procedures
for inspection of affected LPC fan blades for evidence of incorrect
dressing and replacement. This condition, if not addressed, could lead
to fan blade failure and release of uncontained high-energy debris with
[[Page 52559]]
consequent engine in-flight shut-down, which could result in damage to,
and reduced control of, the airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-4003.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0143, which specifies procedures for
inspection of the LPC fan blades for evidence of incorrect dressing and
replacement with a serviceable part. 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.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
(CAA) 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 is issuing
this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2025-0143 described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary
source of information for compliance with requirements for
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with
manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, EASA AD 2025-0143 is incorporated
by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-
0143 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular
section in EASA AD 2025-0143 does not mean that operators need comply
only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to
``all required actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD
requirement is not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s)
and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2025-0143. Material required by
EASA AD 2025-0143 for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>
under Docket No. FAA-2025-4003 after this AD is published.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because cracking of the LPC fan blade may lead to fan blade failure and
consequent release of uncontained high-energy debris, which could
result in damage to, and reduced control of, the airplane. The FAA has
determined that to prevent such failure and to detect and address
cracking of the LPC fan blade, inspection must be accomplished within
30 days for most engines (since the applicable inspection compliance
dates listed in the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0143 have
already passed) with immediate removal of any part found cracked. This
compliance time is shorter than the time necessary for the public to
comment and for publication of the final rule. Accordingly, notice and
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to
the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 34 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 LPC fan blade.................... 9 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $765 $26,010
= $765.
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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 this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace LPC fan blade........................ 6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $310,000 $310,510
$510.
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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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
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:
2025-23-10 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-23194;
Docket No. FAA-2025-4003; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01205-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 8, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD)
Model Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-CE,
Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-H, Trent 1000-
A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2,
Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent
1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an investigation which revealed that
certain low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades are at risk of
cracking due to incorrect dressing. The FAA is issuing this AD to
detect and correct cracking of the LPC fan blades. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in fan blade failure and
release of uncontained high-energy debris with consequent engine in-
flight shut-down, which could result in damage to, 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 paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2025-0143, dated July 08, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0143).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0143
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0143 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0143 refers to November 3, 2023 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2023-0185), this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD
2025-0143.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0143 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, AIR-520 Continued Operational
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c1d11131f1c3a3d3d723b332a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fdbcb0b2bebd9b9c9cd39a928b">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 Alexis Whitaker,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (516) 228-7309; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#147578716c7d673a7e3a637c7d60757f7166547275753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="244548415c4d570a4e0a534c4d50454f4156644245450a434b52">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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) 2025-0143,
dated July 08, 2025.
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1e0e5d2e1c4c0d2c08fc4d4d3ced1c08fc4d4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dd9c99ae9db8bcaebcf3b8a8afb2adbcf3b8a8">[email protected]</span></a>; 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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0264702c6b6c71726761766b6d6c426c6370632c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a1c08541314090a1f190e1315143a141b081b541d150c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on November 17, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-20598 Filed 11-19-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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