FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directive for Rolls-Royce Trent Engines

Content

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent
1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent
1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the intermediate
pressure (IP) compressor variable inlet guide vanes (VIGVs) due to high-cycle fatigue propagation. This proposed AD would
require repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) for cracks of the IP compressor VIGVs and, depending on the inspection results,
reduced inspection intervals for the repetitive BSIs, or removal of the engine from service and replacement of the IP compressor
VIGVs. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by April 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:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Fax: (202) 493-2251.

• 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.

• 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 regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-2294; 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 NPRM, 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:

• For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer
3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

• 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (516) 228-7309; email: alexis.j.whitaker@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a
method listed under
ADDRESSES
. Include “Docket No. FAA-2026-2294; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00011-E” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 proposal 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 regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
received about this NPRM.

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
NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. 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

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0002, dated January
7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0002) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on all RRD Model Trent 1000-A2,
Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2,
Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. The MCAI states that cracking of the IP compressor variable inlet guide vane (VIGV)
on Trent 1000 Pack C engines was reported and subsequent investigation attributed the cracking to high-cycle fatigue propagation
phenomenon. The MCAI also states that the engine manufacturer issued material for repetitive BSIs for cracks of the IP compressor
VIGVs and depending on the inspection results, reduced inspection intervals for the repetitive BSIs or removal of the engine
from service. This condition, if not

  addressed, could result in release of fractured parts with a steady state surge, consequent uncommanded in-flight shutdown
  (IFSD) and, in the case of dual-engine IFSD, reduced control of the airplane.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-2294.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0002, which specifies procedures for performing repetitive BSIs for cracks of the IP compressor
VIGVs and applicable corrective actions. Corrective actions include, depending on the inspection findings, reduced inspection
intervals for the repetitive BSIs, or removal of the engine from service and replacement of the IP compressor VIGVs. 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 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 NPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the EASA AD 2025-0002, described previously, as incorporated
by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed 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, the FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2025-0002 by reference in the
FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0002 in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common
terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0002 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 2025-0002.
Material required in EASA AD 2025-0002 for compliance will be available at www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2026-2294 after the FAA final rule is published.

Interim Action

The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action. If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider
further rulemaking at that time.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 28 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per
product | Cost on U.S.
operators |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Borescope inspection of the IP compressor VIGVs | 6 work-hours × $85 per hour = $510 | $0 | $510 | $14,280 |
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs that would be required based on the results of the proposed
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of engines that might need these replacements:

| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per
product |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Replacement of each cracked IP compressor VIGV | 110 work-hours × $85 per hour = $9,350 | $3,307 | $12,657 |

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

The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed
AD would 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 this proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG:
Docket No. FAA-2026-2294; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00011-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by April 30, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2,
Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine (Turbine/Turboprop); 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the intermediate pressure (IP) compressor variable inlet guide vanes (VIGVs)
due to high-cycle fatigue propagation. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the IP compressor VIGVs.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in release of fractured parts with a steady state surge, consequent uncommanded
in-flight shutdown (IFSD) and, in the case of dual-engine IFSD, reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Do all required actions within the compliance times specified in,
and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0002, dated January 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0002).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0002

(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0002 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0002.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2025-0002 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 AIR-520 Continued
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov.

(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: alexis.j.whitaker@faa.gov.

(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 2025-0002, dated January 7, 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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov.

Issued on March 5, 2026. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-05089 Filed 3-13-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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