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2013-23-12: Low-pressure (LP) compressor fan blade set

FAA order 2013-23-12 is an airworthiness directive in force since December 11, 2013. The FAA's subject line: Low-pressure (LP) compressor fan blade set. It names the Rolls-Royce RB-211 series engine: about 182 aircraft on the U.S. register today, 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 Trent 553-61, RB211 Trent 553A2-61, RB211 Trent 556-61, RB211 Trent 556A2-61, RB211 Trent 556B-61, RB211 Trent 556B2-61, RB211 Trent 560-61, RB211 Trent 560A2-61
Engine series: Rolls-Royce RB-211 series 182 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: December 11, 2013
Published: November 26, 2013 (signed November 8, 2013)
Docket: FAA-2013-0880
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 all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement or repair of the low-pressure (LP) compressor fan blade set before reaching a specified number of flight cycles since new (FCSN) or flight cycles since last leading edge profile blade repair (FCSLR). This AD was prompted by reports of erosion of the leading edge profile of the LP compressor blade set contributing to fan blade flutter. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LP compressor blades, which could lead to an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,041 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 airworthiness directive (AD): 

2013-23-12 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 39-17667; Docket No. FAA-2013- 0880; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-28-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

	This AD is effective December 11, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

	None. 

(c) Applicability 

	This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines. 

(d) Reason 

	This AD was prompted by reports of erosion of the leading edge profile of the low-pressure (LP) compressor blade set contributing to fan blade flutter. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LP compressor blades, which could lead to an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

	Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. 
	(1) If on the effective date of this AD, the LP compressor fan blades: 
	(i) Have less that 3,750 flight cycles since new (FCSN) or flight cycles since last leading edge profile blade repair (FCSLR), replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set before accumulating 4,000 FCSN or FCSLR; 
	(ii) Have 3,750 or more FCSN or FCSLR, but less than 4,400 FCSN or FCSLR, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within 250 flight cycles (FC), but not later than 4,500 FCSN or FCSLR; 
	(iii) Have 4,400 FCSN or FCSLR or more, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within 100 FC; or 
	(iv) Have FCSN or FCSLR that are unknown, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within 100 FC. 
	(2) Thereafter, replace or repair the LP compressor fan blade set within every 4,000 FCSN or FCSLR. 

(f) Definition 

	LP compressor fan blades eligible for installation are: 
	(1) LP compressor fan blades with less than 4,000 FCSN; or 
	(2) LP compressor fan blades with less than 4,000 FCSLR, if LP compressor fan blades were repaired using RR Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AH149, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2013 or earlier version or, for initial restoration only, RB.211-72-H464, dated August 28, 2013. 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

	The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. 

(h) Related Information 

	(1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected]. 
	(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency, AD 2013-0214, dated September 16, 2013, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0880. 
	(3) Rolls-Royce plc Alert Non-Modification Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AH149, Revision 1, dated May 3, 2013 and RB.211-72-H464, dated August 28, 2013, which are not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained from RR, using the contact information in paragraph (h)(4) of this AD. 
	(4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, UK; phone: 44-0-1332-242424; fax: 44-0-1332-249936; email: http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_team.jsp. 
	(5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on theavailability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. 

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference 

	None.

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/2013-23-12.json · aircraft systems.