FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

2011-23-12: Fan blade

FAA order 2011-23-12 is an airworthiness directive in force since November 29, 2011. The FAA's subject line: Fan blade. It names the Rolls-Royce RB-211 series, Rolls-Royce RB211-524H-36, Rolls-Royce RB211-524HT36 engines: about 186 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Engine
Makes: Rolls-Royce plc
Models: RB211-524G2-19, RB211-524G2-T-19, RB211-524G3-19, RB211-524G3-T-19, RB211-524H-36, RB211-524H-T-36, RB211-524H2-19, RB211-524H2-T-19
Engine series: Rolls-Royce RB-211 series 182 aircraft
Rolls-Royce RB211-524H-36 2 aircraft
Rolls-Royce RB211-524HT36 2 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: November 29, 2011
Published: November 14, 2011 (signed November 2, 2011)
Docket: FAA-2011-1109
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: Several instances of fan blade cracking have been reported. The results of the subsequent technical investigation concluded that the cracking was caused by fan blade flutter at certain engine settings during prolonged ground running. This condition, if not corrected, could affect the integrity of the fan blades, leading to cracking of multiple fan blades and could possibly result in engine failure and release of uncontained high energy debris. We are issuing this AD to prevent fan blade flutter, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,178 characters)

Adoption of 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 AD: 

2011-23-12 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-16863; Docket No. FAA-2011- 1109; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-33-AD. 

Effective Date 

	(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 29, 2011. 

Affected ADs 

	(b) None. 

Applicability 

	(c) This AD applies to Rolls-Royce plc RB211-524G2-19; -524G2-T- 19; -524G3-19; 524G3-T-19; 524H2-19; -524H2-T-19; -524H-36; and - 524H-T-36 turbofan engines. 

Reason 

	(d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: 

Several instances of fan blade cracking have been reported. The results of the subsequent technical investigation concluded that the cracking was caused by fan blade flutter at certain engine settings during prolonged ground running. 

This condition, if not corrected, could affect the integrity of the fan blades, leading to cracking of multiple fan blades and could possibly result in engine failure and release of uncontained high energy debris. 

	We are issuing this AD to prevent fan blade flutter, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane. 

Actions and Compliance 

	(e) Unless already done, do the following actions. 
	(1) Within 40 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the engine by installing a full-authority fuel controller (FAFC) featuring software at Issue 17, in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions paragraphs 3.A. through 3.B. of Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-73-AG054, Revision 2, dated June 29, 2011. 
	(2) Engines which have been modified before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with previous revisions of ASB No. RB.211- 73-AG054 are compliant with the requirement of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. 
	(3) From the effective date of this AD, do not install an FAFC on an engine if the FAFC incorporates software prior to Issue 17. 

FAA AD Differences 

	(f) None. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

	(g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

Related Information 

	(h) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2011-0175, dated September 8, 2011, for related information. 
	(i) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected], for more information about this AD. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

	(j) You must use Rolls-Royce plc Alert Service Bulletin No. RB.211-73-AG054, Revision 2, dated June 29, 2011, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 
	(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
	(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, England, DE248BJ; phone: 011-44-1332-242424; fax: 011-44-1332-245418 or email from http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp, or download the publication from https://www.aeromanager.com. 
	(3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (781) 238-7125.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2011-23-12.json · aircraft systems.