Rule2026-11965
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
June 15, 2026
Effective
June 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-05- 01, which applied 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 2020-05-01 required initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades. AD 2020-05-01 also required replacement of HPT blades with parts eligible for installation when the HPT blades fail inspection or reach the new life limit. Since the FAA issued AD 2020- 05-01, RRD published updated service material introducing improved HPT blades and a combustion rear inner casing bypass case assembly, adding an acceptable method for installation of HPT blades, expanding the inspection area for BSIs of the HPT blade, adding limits for axial cracks of the HPT blades, reducing certain BSI thresholds, and removing a certain HPT blade life-limit. This AD requires performing initial and repetitive BSIs of the HPT blades for axial cracks and, depending on the results of the BSIs, this AD requires either performing additional BSIs or replacing the HPT blades. This AD also adds an optional terminating action for the repetitive BSIs of the HPT blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 114 (Monday, June 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35876-35879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11965]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-4655; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01553-E;
Amendment 39-23376; AD 2026-12-06]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-05-
01, which applied to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD)
Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent
[[Page 35877]]
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 2020-05-01 required initial and
repetitive borescope inspections (BSI) of the high-pressure turbine
(HPT) blades. AD 2020-05-01 also required replacement of HPT blades
with parts eligible for installation when the HPT blades fail
inspection or reach the new life limit. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-
05-01, RRD published updated service material introducing improved HPT
blades and a combustion rear inner casing bypass case assembly, adding
an acceptable method for installation of HPT blades, expanding the
inspection area for BSIs of the HPT blade, adding limits for axial
cracks of the HPT blades, reducing certain BSI thresholds, and removing
a certain HPT blade life-limit. This AD requires performing initial and
repetitive BSIs of the HPT blades for axial cracks and, depending on
the results of the BSIs, this AD requires either performing additional
BSIs or replacing the HPT blades. This AD also adds an optional
terminating action for the repetitive BSIs of the HPT blades. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 30, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 30,
2026.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 30, 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-2026-4655; 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#7b3a3f083b1e1a081a551e0e09140b1a551e0e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ffbebb8cbf9a9e8c9ed19a8a8d908f9ed19a8a">[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. It
is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-4655.
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#ddbcb1b8a5b4aef3b7f3aab5b4a9bcb6b8af9dbbbcbcf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e2838e879a8b91cc88cc958a8b9683898790a2848383cc858d94">[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-2026-4655; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01553-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
The FAA issued AD 2020-05-01, Amendment 39-21102 (85 FR 13727,
March 10, 2020) (AD 2020-05-01), for 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 2020-05-01 was
prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2019-
0099R2, dated September 6, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0099R2), to correct an
unsafe condition identified as premature failure of the HPT blades. AD
2020-05-01 required initial and repetitive BSIs of the HPT blades, and
replacement of the HPT blades with parts eligible for installation when
the HPT blades fail inspection or reach the new life limit. The FAA
issued AD 2020-05-01 to prevent failure of the HPT blades.
Actions Since AD 2020-05-01 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2020-05-01, EASA superseded EASA AD 2019-
0099R2 and issued a series of ADs, each superseding the previous one,
with the latest one being EASA AD 2025-0206R1, dated December 18, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0206R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). Since EASA AD
2019-0099R2 was published, RRD published updated service material
introducing improved HPT blades and an improved combustion rear inner
casing bypass case assembly, and an additional acceptable method for
installing HPT blades. RRD also published updated service material
defining additional limits for axial cracks on the leading edge and
convex surfaces of the HPT blades, reducing the inspections threshold,
and removing certain life-limits for HPT blades. It was also determined
that certain in-flight shutdown events do not represent an abnormal or
unsafe condition for the remaining running engine, and certain engines
should be excluded from the
[[Page 35878]]
requirement to accomplish a BSI when the opposite engine was
deliberately shut-down and automatically re-started immediately as part
of a standard airplane acceptance test. The MCAI states that in-service
experience has shown that the affected parts may deteriorate, despite
being subject to the inspections and life-limits as specified in the
current RRD Time Limits Manual, T-Trent-10RRT, Chapters 05-10 and 05-
20. To address this potential unsafe condition, the MCAI requires
performing initial and repetitive BSIs of the HPT blades for axial
cracks and, depending on the results of the BSIs, the MCAI requires
either performing additional BSIs or replacing the HPT blades. The MCAI
also excludes certain engines from certain BSI requirements if that
engine was deliberately shut-down and automatically re-started
immediately as part of a standard airplane acceptance test. The MCAI
also adds an optional terminating action for the repetitive BSIs of the
HPT blades.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-4655.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0206R1, which defines additional
limits for axial cracks on the leading edge and convex surfaces of the
HPT blades, reduces the inspections threshold, specifies optional
procedures for introducing improved HPT blades and an improved
combustion rear inner casing bypass case assembly, and an additional
acceptable method for replacing HPT blades, 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
(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
2025-0206R1 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 2025-0206R1 is
incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with
EASA AD 2025-0206R1 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 2025-0206R1 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-
0206R1. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0206R1 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by under Docket No. FAA-2026-4655 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.
The FAA justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of
this rule because no domestic operators use this product. It is
unlikely that the FAA will receive any adverse comments or useful
information about this AD from any U.S. operator. Accordingly, notice
and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(b). In addition, for the foregoing reason(s), 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.
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 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
There are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are no
engines with this type certificate on the U.S. Registry.
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:
[[Page 35879]]
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 2020-05-01, Amendment 39-21102 (85
FR 13727, March 10, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2026-12-06 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-23376;
Docket No. FAA-2026-4655; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01553-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 30, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-05-01, Amendment 39-21102 (85 FR 13727,
March 10, 2020) (AD 2020-05-01).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD)
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 model
engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the manufacturer identifying that the
high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades may fail prematurely. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT blades. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more
engines, loss of thrust control, and loss 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
2025-0206R1, dated December 18, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0206R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0206R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0206R1 refers to October 6, 2025 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2025-0206R1 at original issue), this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0206R1 refers to May 20, 2019 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2019-0099), this AD requires using the
effective date of March 25, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-05-
01).
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD
2025-0206R1.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0206R1
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 the 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#62232f2d21220403034c050d14"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="490804060a092f2828672e263f">[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#0a6b666f7263792460247d62637e6b616f784a6c6b6b246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d5b4b9b0adbca6fbbffba2bdbca1b4beb0a795b3b4b4fbb2baa3">[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 2025-0206R1,
dated December 18, 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#b2f3f6c1f2d7d3c1d39cd7c7c0ddc2d39cd7c7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d39297a093b6b2a0b2fdb6a6a1bca3b2fdb6a6">[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, 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#660014480f0815160305120f0908260807140748010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3254401c5b5c41425751465b5d5c725c5340531c555d44">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on June 4, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-11965 Filed 6-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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