Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model BR700-725A1-12 engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing time limits manual (TLM) to introduce new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. This AD requires revising the ALS of the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. 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 215 (Monday, November 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 215 (Monday, November 9, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70777-70779]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22774]



[[Page 70777]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-7219; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00404-E; 
Amendment 39-23509; AD 2026-22-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model BR700-725A1-12 engines. 
This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness 
limitations section (ALS) of the existing time limits manual (TLM) to 
introduce new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations and 
associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. This AD 
requires revising the ALS of the operator's existing approved engine 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals 
for life-limited parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 14, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 14, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-7219; 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 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    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#1c5d586f5c797d6f7d3279696e736c7d327969"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5514112615303426347b3020273a25347b3020">[email&#160;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-2026-7219.

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#c1a3a0b3a3a0b3a0efa2a0b4a7a8a4ada581a7a0a0efa6aeb7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="64060516060516054a070511020d010800240205054a030b12">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD Model BR700-
725A1-12 engines. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
July 15, 2026 (91 FR 43343). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2024-
0136, dated July 11, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0136) (also 
referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the manufacturer revised 
the ALS of the existing TLM to introduce new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for 
life-limited parts.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive instructions and 
associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-7219.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received one comment from an anonymous commenter. The 
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to the comment.

Request To Include Non-Destructive Testing Inspections

    An individual commenter stated that the FAA focuses primarily on 
removing parts once they reach the new cycle limit but fails to mandate 
intermediate non-destructive testing inspections for components 
approaching the new threshold. The commenter noted that without 
requiring inspections prior to part removal, the FAA leaves an 
undetected safety risk for engines that may already have micro-cracks 
propagating toward failure before reaching the new lower limit. The FAA 
infers that the commenter is requesting that non-destructive testing 
inspections be required for parts approaching their life-limit 
threshold.
    The FAA disagrees with this request because the airworthiness 
limitations section includes inspections at piece part opportunity and 
life limits which are designed to appropriately mitigate the risk 
associated with the unsafe condition. The FAA did not change this AD as 
a result of this comment.

Conclusion

    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 reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0136, which specifies procedures for 
revising the ALS of the existing approved engine maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive tasks and limitations and associated thresholds and 
intervals for life-limited parts. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0136 specifies revising the 
approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months after the 
effective date of EASA AD 2024-0136, this AD requires revising the ALS 
of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

[[Page 70778]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 758 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Cost per        Cost on U.S.
               Action                       Labor cost          Parts cost        product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS......................  1 work-hour x $85 per               $0             $85             $64,430
                                       hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will 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 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:

2026-22-07 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-23509; 
Docket No. FAA-2026-7219; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00404-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 14, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model 
BR700-725A1-12 engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the 
airworthiness limitations section of the existing time limits manual 
to introduce new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations and 
associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent failure of critical rotating parts. 
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) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2024-0136, dated July 11, 2024 (AD 2024-0136).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0136

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0136 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), 
(2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0136.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0136 specifies ``Within 
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved 
AMP,'' replace that text with ``Within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitations section of the 
existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable''.
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0136 is on or before the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0136 or within 30 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0136.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    No alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed for compliance with paragraph (g) 
of this AD unless they are approved as specified in the provisions 
of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2024-0136.

(j) 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 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#6d2c20222e2d0b0c0c430a021b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="43020e0c00032522226d242c35">[email&#160;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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des

[[Page 70779]]

Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#85e7e4f7e7e4f7e4abe6e4f0e3ece0e9e1c5e3e4e4abe2eaf3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d2f2c3f2f2c3f2c632e2c382b242821290d2b2c2c632a223b">[email&#160;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 2024-0136, 
dated July 11, 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#c48580b784a1a5b7a5eaa1b1b6abb4a5eaa1b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ecfcafdceebeffdefa0ebfbfce1feefa0ebfb">[email&#160;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#0f697d2166617c7f6a6c7b6660614f616e7d6e21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5c3d78bcccbd6d5c0c6d1cccacbe5cbc4d7c48bc2cad3">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on October 26, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-22774 Filed 11-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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