Proposed Rule2026-10902
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines
Primary source
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Published
June 1, 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 RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a batch of low-pressure compressor (LPC) blades were exposed to a non-conforming repair and are more prone to cracking due to a deviation from the approved blade configuration design. This proposed AD would require removal from service of the affected LPC blades and replacement with a serviceable part. 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 104 (Monday, June 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 104 (Monday, June 1, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32364-32366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10902]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 104 / Monday, June 1, 2026 / Proposed
Rules
[[Page 32364]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-4648; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01834-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 RB211 Trent
768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a
report that a batch of low-pressure compressor (LPC) blades were
exposed to a non-conforming repair and are more prone to cracking due
to a deviation from the approved blade configuration design. This
proposed AD would require removal from service of the affected LPC
blades and replacement with a serviceable part. 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 16, 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-2026-4648; 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#a3e2e7d0e3c6c2d0c28dc6d6d1ccd3c28dc6d6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e7f7a4d7e5b5f4d5f105b4b4c514e5f105b4b">[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#d4b5b8b1acbda7fabefaa3bcbda0b5bfb1a694b2b5b5fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afcec3cad7c6dc81c581d8c7c6dbcec4caddefc9cece81c8c0d9">[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-2026-4648; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01834-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
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, issued EASA AD 2024-0130, dated July 8, 2024 (EASA AD
2024-0130), to correct an unsafe condition on RRD Model RB211 Trent
768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, and 772C-60 engines. EASA AD 2024-0130 states
that a batch of LPC blades were exposed in service to non-conforming
repair procedures that resulted in blade configuration deviating from
the approved design. These LPC blades that do not conform to the
approved design are prone to blade cracking. EASA AD 2024-0130 required
removal from service of the affected LPC blades and replacement with a
serviceable part.
EASA superseded EASA AD 2024-0130 with EASA AD 2025-0288, dated
December 17, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0288) (also referred to as the MCAI),
after the manufacturer published service material expanding the list of
affected parts. The MCAI retains the removal from service and
replacement requirements for the affected LPC blades in EASA AD 2024-
0130 and expands the list of affected parts. This condition, if not
addressed, could lead to multiple
[[Page 32365]]
structural failures of the affected parts, which could result in
increased risk of in-flight shutdown, engine fire, and uncontained
high-energy debris release.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-4648.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0288, which specifies procedures for
removal from service of the affected LPC blades 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 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 the MCAI described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. See ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the
MCAI'' for a discussion of the general differences included in this
proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
Where EASA AD 2025-0288 applies to RRD Model RB211 Trent 772C-60
engines this proposed AD does not, as these engines do not have an FAA
type certificate.
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, the FAA proposes to incorporate
EASA AD 2025-0288 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD
would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0288 in its
entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular
section in EASA AD 2025-0288 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 2025-0288. Material required in
EASA AD 2025-0288 for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>
under Docket No. FAA-2026-4648 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect eight engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace LPC blades.................... 2 work-hours x $85 per $225,000 $225,170 $1,801,360
hour = $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 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-2026-4648;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01834-E.
[[Page 32366]]
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 16, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model
RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine
Compressor Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that a batch of low-pressure
compressor blades were exposed to a non-conforming repair and are
more prone to cracking due to a deviation from the approved blade
configuration design. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent blade
cracking. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to
multiple structural failures of the affected parts, which could
result in increased risk of in-flight shutdown, engine fire, and
uncontained high-energy debris release.
(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 AD 2025-0288,
dated December 17, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0288).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0288
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0288 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0288 refers to July 22, 2024 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2024-0130), this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD
2025-0288.
(i) 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 the 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#12535f5d51527473733c757d64"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="17565a58545771767639707861">[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.
(j) 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#a8c9c4cdd0c1db86c286dfc0c1dcc9c3cddae8cec9c986cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d4c414855445e0347035a4544594c46485f6d4b4c4c034a425b">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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) 2025-0288,
dated December 17, 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#5514112615303426347b3020273a25347b3020"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a5b5e695a7f7b697b347f6f68756a7b347f6f">[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 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#8bedf9a5e2e5f8fbeee8ffe2e4e5cbe5eaf9eaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c4a5e0245425f5c494f584543426c424d5e4d024b435a">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on May 28, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10902 Filed 5-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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