EASA AD 2018-0126R1
Engine — Low Pressure Turbine Disc Seal Fins and Interstage Seals — Inspection / Replacement / Modification
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0126R1 is an updated safety directive addressing inspection, replacement, and modification requirements for the low pressure turbine (LPT) disc seal fins and interstage seals on Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent 900 series engines, commonly installed on Airbus A380 aircraft. The directive mandates inspections following certain vibration alerts and shop visits, as well as a modification to improve engine safety and reliability.
What Changed
This revision extends the compliance time for the required engine modification by 36 months due to reduced flight activity from the COVID-19 pandemic. It retains previous inspection and corrective action requirements while updating applicability to exclude engines that have incorporated Rolls-Royce modification 72-AJ592. The directive also clarifies inspection intervals and procedures following engine health monitoring alerts and shop visits.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation operators and maintenance organizations to prevent potential uncontained engine failures caused by damage to LPT disc seal fins and interstage seals. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and safety of affected Trent 900 engines, helping to avoid in-flight engine shutdowns and costly repairs. It also provides clear guidance on inspection triggers and corrective actions, facilitating regulatory compliance and operational safety.
What To Do
Operators must perform inspections of the LPT disc seal fins and interstage seals following any engine health monitoring alerts indicating excessive vibration and at specified intervals if not using the Rolls-Royce monitoring service. After any qualified shop visit involving pass-off tests, inspections are required unless no pass-off test is performed. The mandated engine modification must be completed during a qualified shop visit by 30 September 2028 to terminate repetitive inspection requirements.
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.