EASA AD 2020-0277
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2024-0167
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0277 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency concerning Rolls-Royce Deutschland Trent XWB-75, Trent XWB-79, Trent XWB-79B, and Trent XWB-84 engines, commonly installed on Airbus A350 aircraft. The directive mandates repetitive inspections of the intermediate pressure compressor rotor 1 blades, part number KH21559, to detect cracks and prevent potential engine failures. This directive applies to all serial numbers of the affected engines and aims to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0277 introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of the intermediate pressure compressor rotor 1 blades on specified Trent XWB engines. It requires inspections within specified flight cycle thresholds and intervals, and if cracks are found, operators must follow approved corrective actions from Rolls-Royce. The directive also defines serviceable parts and installation conditions to maintain compliance.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving cracked compressor blades that could lead to engine in-flight shutdowns and reduced aircraft control. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent potential engine failures and ensure regulatory compliance. The directive helps maintain engine reliability and safety for Airbus A350 operators using Trent XWB engines.
What To Do
Operators must perform on-wing or in-shop inspections of the affected IPC rotor 1 blades within 50 engine flight cycles after the effective date if the blades have 2,300 or more flight cycles, or before exceeding 2,300 flight cycles otherwise. Inspections must be repeated every 200 engine flight cycles thereafter. If cracks are detected, corrective actions approved by Rolls-Royce must be implemented before further flight. Only serviceable parts as defined in the directive may be installed after the effective date.
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.