Proposed Rule2026-02366
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines
Primary source
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Published
February 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-26-04, which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000- G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 engines. AD 2023-26-04 requires initial and repetitive in-shop visual inspections of the intermediate-pressure stage 8 (IP8) and high- pressure stage 3 (HP3) air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and replacement, if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-26-04, the FAA has determined that a new set of initial and repetitive on-wing visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear are necessary, and consequently the inspection interval for the repetitive in-shop visual inspections of front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes may be increased. This proposed AD would continue to require initial and repetitive in-shop visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes (with increased inspection interval) for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and replacement, if necessary. This proposed AD would also require initial and repetitive on-wing visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and replacement, if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 25 (Friday, February 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5378-5381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02366]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0742; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01337-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2023-26-04, which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
(RRD) Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-
G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent
1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3
engines. AD 2023-26-04 requires initial and repetitive in-shop visual
inspections of the intermediate-pressure stage 8 (IP8) and high-
pressure stage 3 (HP3) air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8
air feed tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear, and
replacement, if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-26-04, the FAA
has determined that a new set of initial and repetitive on-wing visual
inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes for cracking, damage,
or air leakage wear are necessary, and consequently the inspection
interval for the repetitive in-shop visual inspections of front bearing
housing IP8 air feed tubes may be increased. This proposed AD would
continue to require initial and repetitive in-shop visual inspections
of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air
feed tubes (with increased inspection interval) for cracking, damage,
or air leakage wear, and replacement, if necessary. This proposed AD
would also require initial and repetitive on-wing visual inspections of
the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage
wear, and replacement, if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by March 23, 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-2026-0742; 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 NPRM, 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 proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#93d2d7e0d3f6f2e0f2bdf6e6e1fce3f2bdf6e6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f4e4b7c4f6a6e7c6e216a7a7d607f6e216a7a">[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.
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#12737e776a7b613c783c657a7b6673797760527473733c757d64"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="53323f362b3a207d397d243b3a2732383621133532327d343c25">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-0742; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01337-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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
the proposal 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 NPRM.
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
[[Page 5379]]
comments responsive to this NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM.
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
The FAA issued AD 2023-26-04, Amendment 39-22647 (89 FR 251,
January 3, 2024) (AD 2023-26-04), for all RRD Model Trent 1000-AE3,
Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent
1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3,
Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 engines. AD 2023-26-04
was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD
2023-0087, dated April 26, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0087) to correct an
unsafe condition identified as a determination that certain intervals
for visual inspection of the IP8 air transfer tubes, HP3 air transfer
tubes, and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes need to be reduced.
EASA AD 2023-0087 stated that the RRD engine time limits manual (TLM)
provides instructions for visual inspection of the IP8 and HP3 air
transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes for
cracking, damage, or air leakage wear at intervals consistent with
critical part life assessments. Also, certain inspection intervals
mandated by the MCAI, and not previously included in the TLM, are
shorter than the engine shop visit intervals. Thus, more frequent
visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front
bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes are necessary. The manufacturer
issued service information that provides instructions for (in-shop)
visual inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front
bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes.
AD 2023-26-04 requires initial and repetitive in-shop visual
inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing
housing IP8 air feed tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear,
and replacement, if necessary. The FAA issued AD 2023-26-04 to prevent
failure of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing housing
IP8 air feed tubes.
Actions Since AD 2023-26-04 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2023-26-04, EASA superseded EASA AD 2023-
0087 and issued EASA AD 2025-0176, dated August 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-
0176) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that since EASA
AD 2023-0087 was published, the manufacturer has issued service
information to include initial and repetitive on-wing visual
inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes, and an increase to
the interval for the in-shop visual inspections of front bearing
housing IP8 air feed tubes.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0742.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0176, which specifies procedures for
performing initial and repetitive on-wing and in-shop visual
inspections of the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing
housing IP8 air feed 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.
FAA's Determination
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 is issuing this NPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2023-
26-04. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions
specified in the MCAI described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed 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 civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since
coordinated with other manufacturers and CAAs to use this process. As a
result, EASA AD 2025-0176 will be incorporated by reference in the
final rule. This AD, therefore, requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-
0176 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 2025-0176 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 2025-0176. Service information
required by EASA AD 2025-0176 for compliance will be available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-0742.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect four engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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On-wing inspection of air tubes........ 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 $1,360
hour = $340.
In-shop inspection of air tubes........ 4 work-hours x $85 per 0 340 1,360
hour = $340.
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[[Page 5380]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed 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 IP8 air transfer tubes................ 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $7,600 $7,770
$170.
Replace HP3 air transfer tubes................ 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = 11,900 12,070
$170.
Replace front bearing housing IP8 air feed 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = 10,000 10,170
tubes. $170.
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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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2023-26-04, Amendment 39-22647 (89
FR 251, January 3, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2026-0742;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01337-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 23, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2023-26-04, Amendment 39-22647 (89 FR 251,
January 3, 2024).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model
Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent
1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3,
Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3
engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7500, Engine Bleed
Air System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that a new set of on-
wing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the intermediate-
pressure stage 8 (IP8) and high-pressure stage 3 (HP3) air transfer
tubes for cracking, damage, or air leakage wear are necessary, and
consequently the inspection interval for the repetitive in-shop
visual inspections of the front bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes
may be increased. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the IP8 and HP3 air transfer tubes and front bearing housing IP8 air
feed tubes. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the
engine internal cooling and sealing flows, resulting in failure of
the IP8 air transfer tubes, HP3 air transfer tubes, and front
bearing housing IP8 air feed tubes, with consequent 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 paragraph (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 (EASA) AD
2025-0176, dated August 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0176).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0176
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0176 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0176.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0176
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#a7e6eae8e4e7c1c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dccc0c2cecdebececa3eae2fb">[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
[[Page 5381]]
Moines, WA 98198; phone: (516) 228-7309; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e889848d90819bc682c69f80819c89838d9aa88e8989c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d4c414855445e0347035a4544594c46485f6d4b4c4c034a425b">[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) AD 2025-0176,
dated August 7, 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#8ecfcafdceebeffdefa0ebfbfce1feefa0ebfb"><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.
(4) You may view this material at 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#cfa9bde1a6a1bcbfaaacbba6a0a18fa1aebdaee1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80e6f2aee9eef3f0e5e3f4e9efeec0eee1f2e1aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 30, 2026.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-02366 Filed 2-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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