Proposed Rule2026-10076
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of engine in-flight shut-downs (IFSDs) caused by the premature failure of certain parts. This proposed AD would prohibit the installation of certain lubrication/scavenge pumps unless certain installation criteria are met. 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 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29391-29394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10076]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-4640; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00073-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent7000-72
and Trent7000-72C engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of
engine in-flight shut-downs (IFSDs) caused by the premature failure of
certain parts. This proposed AD would prohibit the installation of
certain lubrication/scavenge pumps unless certain
[[Page 29392]]
installation criteria are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by July 6, 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-2026-4640; 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 AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7a3b3e093a1f1b091b541f0f08150a1b541f0f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e0a1a493a085819381ce8595928f9081ce8595">[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, 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: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(781) 238-7146; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#72101300101300135c111307141b171e16321413135c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c4e4d5e4e4d5e4d024f4d594a454940486c4a4d4d024b435a">[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-2026-4640; Project Identifier
MCAI-2024-00073-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
this 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 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
Barbara Caufield, 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 EASA AD 2024-0029, dated January 29, 2024
(EASA AD 2024-0029) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition on RRD Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines.
The MCAI states that there have been reports of engine IFSDs prompted
by low oil pressure indications. An investigation revealed that these
events were caused by early-life failure of the internal eccentric
ring/gerotor in certain affected lubrication/scavenge oil pumps due to
eccentric contact between the ring and gerotor causing wear on the
components. To address this potential unsafe condition, the
manufacturer published service material that provides installation
criteria for the affected oil pumps. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in failure of the affected oil pump, and engine IFSD with
consequent reduced control or loss of 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-2026-4640.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0029, which specifies installation
criteria for affected oil pumps each time an affected part is installed
or reinstalled on an engine. 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 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 require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2024-0029, 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 2024-0029 is incorporated
by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with EASA AD 2024-
0029 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 2024-0029 does not mean that operators need comply
only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to
``all required
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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 2024-0029. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0029
for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No.
FAA-2026-4640 after this AD is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 98 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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Verify installation criteria before each .50 work-hours x $85 per $0 $42.50 $4,165
pump installation. hour = $42.50.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary screening
tests that would be required based on the results of the proposed
installation criteria verification. The agency has no way of
determining the number of engines that might need these screening
tests:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Perform oil pump screening test.............. 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $33,320
$340.
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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 this 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2026-4640;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00073-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 6, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model
Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7261, Turbine Engine
Oil System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of engine in-flight shut-downs
(IFSDs) due to low oil pressure indications, which were caused by
the early-life failure of the internal eccentric ring/gerotor. The
FAA is issuing this AD to require certain installation criteria be
met for affected oil pumps prior to installation or reinstallation
on an engine. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
in failure of the affected oil pump, and engine IFSD with consequent
reduced control or loss of 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
2024-0029, dated January 29, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0029).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0029
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0029 requires compliance from its
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0029 states ``From the
effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install an affected part
on any engine, or an engine equipped with an affected part on any
airplane, provided that, prior to installation, it is determined
[[Page 29394]]
that the installation criteria defined in the NMSB are met'', this
AD requires replacing that text with ``From the effective date of
this AD, do not install an affected part unless the installation
criteria defined in the NMSB are met''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD
2024-0029.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
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 (j) of this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f0b1bdbfb3b0969191de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ecfc3c1cdcee8efefa0e9e1f8">[email protected]</span></a>. 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.
(j) 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7d1f1c0f1f1c0f1c531e1c081b141811193d1b1c1c531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d6b4b7a4b4b7a4b7f8b5b7a3b0bfb3bab296b0b7b7f8b1b9a0">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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 2024-0029,
dated January 29, 2024.
(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#bbfaffc8fbdedac8da95decec9d4cbda95dece"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c4d487f4c696d7f6d2269797e637c6d226979">[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#d8beaaf6b1b6aba8bdbbacb1b7b698b6b9aab9f6bfb7ae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="88eefaa6e1e6fbf8edebfce1e7e6c8e6e9fae9a6efe7fe">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on May 15, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10076 Filed 5-19-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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