EASA AD 2023-0040
Engine — Intermediate Pressure Compressor Rotor Shaft — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0040 is an airworthiness directive addressing Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent 800 series engines, specifically models 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17, commonly installed on Boeing 777 aircraft. The directive mandates inspections of the intermediate pressure compressor rotor shaft to detect cracking in the balance land area. It aims to ensure continued safe operation by requiring repetitive visual borescope inspections and corrective actions as necessary.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0040 introduces new requirements for repetitive on-wing or in-shop visual borescope inspections of affected intermediate pressure compressor shafts identified by Rolls-Royce. It addresses a previously uninspected batch of parts that may have been missed during refurbishment, requiring inspections until an in-shop eddy current inspection or part replacement is performed. This AD does not supersede any previous AD but adds additional inspection requirements to prevent rotor shaft failure.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to prevent potential failure of the intermediate pressure compressor rotor shaft, which could lead to release of high-energy debris and possible damage to the aircraft and injury to occupants. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain engine airworthiness and avoid unplanned engine removals or safety incidents. It also clarifies compliance pathways and terminating actions to streamline maintenance planning.
What To Do
Operators of affected RB211 Trent 800 engines must perform an initial visual borescope inspection within specified flight cycle limits—either within 100 engine flight cycles if the shaft has 6,800 or more cycles, or before exceeding 6,900 cycles if less. Inspections must then be repeated every 475 engine flight cycles. If discrepancies are found, corrective actions or part replacement must be completed promptly. Installation of affected parts on any engine is prohibited from the effective date of 2023-03-02.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.