Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines

• Citation: 91 FR 55454
• Published date: 28 August 2026
• FR Document: 2026-17582
• Pages: 55454-55457
• Section: Rules and Regulations
• Issuer: Transportation Department,Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 166 (Friday, August 28, 2026)

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 166 (Friday, August 28, 2026)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Pages 55454-55457]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2026-17582]
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                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                Federal Aviation Administration
                14 CFR Part 39
                [Docket No. FAA-2026-4640; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00073-E;
                Amendment 39-23449; AD 2026-17-06]
                RIN 2120-AA64
                Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
                Engines
                AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
                ACTION: Final rule.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
                Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent7000-72 and
                Trent7000-72C engines. This AD was prompted by reports of engine in-
                flight shut-downs (IFSDs) caused by the premature failure of certain
                parts. This AD prohibits the installation of certain lubrication/
                scavenge pumps unless certain installation criteria are met. The FAA is
                issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
                DATES: This AD is effective October 2, 2026.
                 The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
                reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 2,
                2026.
                ADDRESSES:
                 AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
                Docket No. FAA-2026-4640; 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
                information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
                address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
                Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
                New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
                 Material Incorporated by Reference:
                [[Page 55455]]
                 For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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.
                 You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
                Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
                Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
                material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
                regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-4640.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
                Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
                (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                Background
                 The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
                CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all RRD Model
                Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. The NPRM was published in the
                Federal Register on May 20, 2026 (91 FR 29391). The NPRM was prompted
                by AD 2024-0029, dated January 29, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the
                Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD
                2024-0029) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that there
                have been reports of engine IFSDs prompted by low oil pressure
                indications. An investigation revealed that these events were caused by
                early-life failure of the internal eccentric ring/gerotor in certain
                affected lubrication/scavenge oil pumps due to eccentric contact
                between the ring and gerotor causing wear on the components. To address
                this potential unsafe condition, the manufacturer published service
                material that provides installation criteria for the affected oil
                pumps.
                 In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require prohibiting the
                installation of certain lubrication/scavenge pumps unless certain
                installation criteria are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
                the unsafe condition on these products.
                 You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
                Docket No. FAA-2026-4640.
                Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
                Comments
                 The FAA received comments from two commenters. Commenters included
                the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and Delta Air
                Lines, Inc (DAL). ALPA supported the NPRM without change. The following
                presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to
                each comment.
                Request To Prohibit Operation of an Engine With an Affected Part
                 DAL requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h)(2) of the proposed
                AD to prohibit the operation of an affected part unless the
                installation criteria defined in RRD Non-Modification Service Bulletin
                (NMSB) TRENT 1000 79-AK868, Revision 3, dated December 11, 2023 (RRD
                NMSB TRENT 1000 79-AK868, Revision 3) are met. DAL stated that two of
                the installation criteria defined in RRD NMSB TRENT 1000 79-AK868,
                Revision 3 require knowledge of the cycles since repair (CSR), cycles
                since overhaul (CSO), and cycles since new (CSN) of the oil pump on the
                opposite engine. DAL noted that during installation of an affected part
                on a spare engine or during an engine shop visit for maintenance, it is
                not always known which aircraft an engine will be installed on. DAL
                further noted that in such cases, it is impossible to determine the
                CSR, CSO, or CSN of the oil pump on the opposite engine, and the
                installation criteria defined in RRD NMSB TRENT 1000 79-AK868, Revision
                3 cannot be complied with prior to pump installation.
                 The FAA disagrees with the request. The FAA infers that the intent
                of the request is to prohibit the operation of an engine having an
                affected part installed unless the installation criteria from RRD NMSB
                TRENT 1000 79-AK868, Revision 3, are met. The FAA clarifies that this
                operation prohibition is already required by the AD because 14 CFR 39.7
                specifies that once an AD is issued, no person may operate a product to
                which the AD applies except in accordance with the requirements of that
                AD. The intent of this AD is to prevent the installation of affected
                parts unless they meet the installation criteria from RRD NMSB TRENT
                1000 79-AK868, Revision 3. The FAA did not change this AD as a result
                of this comment.
                Request To Remove Documentation Requirement
                 DAL requested that the FAA revise paragraph (h) of the proposed AD
                to state that documentation of the accomplishment of RRD NMSB TRENT 79-
                AK868, Revision 3, is not required. Delta noted that RRD NMSB TRENT 79-
                AK868, Revision 3, requires operators to record accomplishment of the
                completed work in the engine logbook. DAL further noted that they do
                not use engine logbooks to document engine maintenance performed while
                the engine is installed on an airplane and should be permitted to
                incorporate the installation criteria into the DAL Continued
                Airworthiness Maintenance Program instead. DAL stated that requiring a
                logbook entry creates unnecessary administrative burden to operators.
                 The FAA agrees to clarify. An operator may record the
                accomplishment of RRD NMSB TRENT 79-AK868, Revision 3, in a document or
                system other than an engine logbook, or an equivalent record, including
                their continuing airworthiness maintenance program. The FAA did not
                change this AD as a result of this comment.
                Conclusion
                 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 reviewed the relevant
                data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
                requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
                this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
                minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
                None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
                Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
                 The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0029, which specifies installation
                criteria for affected oil pumps each time an affected part is installed
                or reinstalled on an engine. 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.
                Costs of Compliance
                 The FAA estimates that this AD affects 98 engines installed on
                airplanes of U.S. registry.
                 The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
                [[Page 55456]]
                 Estimated Costs
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Cost per Cost on U.S.
                 Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Verify installation criteria before each .50 work-hours x $85 per $0 $42.50 $4,165
                 pump installation. hour = $42.50.
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary screening
                tests that would be required based on the results of the installation
                criteria verification. The agency has no way of determining the number
                of engines that might need these screening tests:
                 On-Condition Costs
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Perform oil pump screening test............. 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $340
                 $340.
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                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
                 This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
                13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
                 (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
                Order 12866,
                 (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
                 (3) Will 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 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:
                2026-17-06 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG: Amendment 39-23449;
                Docket No.FAA-2026-4640; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00073-E.
                (a) Effective Date
                 This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 2, 2026.
                (b) Affected ADs
                 None.
                (c) Applicability
                 This AD applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model
                Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines.
                (d) Subject
                 Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7261, Turbine Engine
                Oil System.
                (e) Unsafe Condition
                 This AD was prompted by reports of engine in-flight shut-downs
                (IFSDs) due to low oil pressure indications, which were caused by
                the early-life failure of the internal eccentric ring/gerotor. The
                FAA is issuing this AD to require certain installation criteria be
                met for affected oil pumps prior to installation or reinstallation
                on an engine. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
                in failure of the affected oil pump, and engine IFSD with consequent
                reduced control or loss of 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 paragraph (h) of this AD, perform all
                required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in
                accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0029,
                dated January 29, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0029).
                (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0029
                 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0029 requires compliance from its
                effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this
                AD.
                 (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0029 states ``From the
                effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install an affected part
                on any engine, or an engine equipped with an affected part on any
                airplane, provided that, prior to installation, it is determined
                that the installation criteria defined in the NMSB are met'', this
                AD requires replacing that text with ``From the effective date of
                this AD, do not install an affected part unless the installation
                criteria defined in the NMSB are met''.
                 (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' paragraph of EASA AD
                2024-0029.
                (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
                 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, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety
                Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in
                paragraph (j) of this AD and email to:
                [[Page 55457]]
                [email protected]. 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.
                (j) Additional Information
                 For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield,
                Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
                WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].
                (k) 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 2024-0029,
                dated January 29, 2024.
                 (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 EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
                 (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
                Products Section, 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 August 19, 2026.
                Lona C. Saccomando,
                Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
                Aircraft Certification Service.
                [FR Doc. 2026-17582 Filed 8-27-26; 8:45 am]
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