Ad/RB211/42 - Front Combustion Liner Head Section (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Rolls Royce Turbine Engines - RB211 Series

AD/RB211/42 Front Combustion Liner Head Section 11/2009

Applicability:

Rolls-Royce plc. RB211-524 series engines, models RB211-524H-T-36, H2-T-19, G2-T-19 and G3-T-19, all serial numbers; and

RB211-535 series engines, models RB211-535E4-37, E4-B-37 and E4-C-37 in which Service Bulletin RB211-72-C230 has been incorporated; and

RB211-535 series engines, model RB211-535E4-B-75 in which Service Bulletin RB211-72-C230 has been incorporated.

Note 1:  These engines are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 747 Boeing 757, Boeing 767 and Tupolev Tu204 series aeroplanes.

Requirement:

For engines that will have accumulated 250 cycles or more, since new or since last front combustion liner head refurbishment, by 30 September 2009:

1.    Borescope inspect the head section of the front combustion liner (FCL) in accordance with the accomplishment instructions of Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin No. RB.211-72-AG073 revision 1.

Note 2:  It may be noted that the referenced Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin provides both on-wing (paragraph 3A) and in-shop (paragraph 3B) accomplishment instructions.

2.    a.     If any crack is found during in-shop inspection, reject the FCL.

       b.    If any crack is found during on-wing inspection, follow the instructions for acceptance of the FCL with repeat inspections, or engine removal, in paragraph 3C of the referenced Rolls Royce Service Bulletin.

The replacement of the FCL terminates the repetitive inspections required by Requirement 2 of this AD.

3.    Submit a detailed report of the findings to Rolls-Royce plc at:

       Rolls-Royce plc., P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom

       Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

       E-mail: [email protected] or download the publication from

Accomplishment of the borescope inspection, done before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with the initial issue of Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin No.
RB.211-72-AG073 is acceptable for compliance with the inspection requirements of this AD.

Note 3:  EASA AD 2009-0187R1 dated 8 September 2009 refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1 - Before 31 December 2009.

For Requirement 2b - As detailed in the reference document.

For Requirement 3 - Within 30 days after any inspections when a crack is found.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 October 2009.

Background:

Routine inspections have revealed cracking on the head sections of two Trent 800 front combustion liners.  Cracking in this position could result in an unsafe condition in which hot gas breakout with subsequent downstream component release leads to uncontained high energy debris.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

11 September 2009