EASA AD 2018-0048R1
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2024-0039
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0048R1 is a revision of a previous directive concerning Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG RB211 Trent 900 series engines installed on Airbus A380 aircraft. It mandates compliance with updated airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks as specified in the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 Time Limits Manual and its Temporary Revision No. 05-01. The directive ensures continued airworthiness by requiring replacement of life-limited parts and inspections within specified intervals.
What Changed
This revision clarifies the definition of the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) and introduces editorial updates without changing the original requirements or compliance times. It also incorporates inspection instructions previously contained in a cancelled Non-Modification Service Bulletin into the ALS with relaxed acceptance criteria. Additionally, it provides a one-time grace period for certain tail bearing housing inspections.
Why It Matters
Compliance with EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0048R1 is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent unsafe conditions arising from component failures in RB211 Trent 900 engines. The directive ensures that maintenance programs include the latest mandatory inspections and life limits, thereby supporting safe and reliable engine operation. It also facilitates regulatory compliance and helps avoid operational disruptions due to non-compliance.
What To Do
Operators must incorporate the updated airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks from the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 Time Limits Manual and Temporary Revision No. 05-01 into their approved Aircraft Maintenance Program within 12 months of 7 March 2018. They must replace components before exceeding life limits and perform inspections within specified intervals, including a one-time extended inspection interval for certain tail bearing housings. Any discrepancies found during inspections must be addressed according to approved Rolls-Royce maintenance documentation before further flight.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.