FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

2026-12-06: Turbine Section

FAA order 2026-12-06 is an airworthiness directive in force since June 30, 2026. The FAA's subject line: Turbine Section. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Aircraft
Makes: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
Models: 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, Trent 1000-R3

Dates and paperwork

In force since: June 30, 2026
Published: June 15, 2026 (signed June 4, 2026)
Docket: FAA-2026-4655
Replaces: 2020-05-01
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

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.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,717 characters)

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-05-01, Amendment 39-21102 (85 FR 13727, March 10, 2020); and 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 [email protected]. (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: [email protected] . (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: [email protected]; 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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected] . 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

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 October 30, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2026-12-06.json · aircraft systems.