EASA AD 2023-0186
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2025-0265
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0186 addresses the inspection requirements for Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C engines, commonly installed on Airbus A330 (NEO) aircraft. This directive mandates repetitive visual inspections of intermediate pressure Stage 8 and high pressure Stage 3 air tubes to detect potential fractures that could compromise engine performance and safety. The directive applies to all serial numbers of these engine models and includes specific inspection procedures both on-wing and during shop visits.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0186 introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of affected air tubes on Trent 7000 engines to detect fractures that may remain undetected under previous maintenance instructions. It establishes inspection intervals and corrective actions for two groups of engines based on modification status and allows modification of Group 2 engines to Group 1 standards with subsequent inspections. This is a new directive rather than an amendment and does not supersede any previous AD.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential unsafe condition that could lead to engine critical part failure and reduced aircraft control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain engine airworthiness and prevent costly damage or safety incidents. The directive clarifies inspection responsibilities and intervals, improving reliability and safety of Trent 7000 engines on Airbus A330 (NEO) aircraft.
What To Do
Operators must perform initial on-wing inspections of affected air tubes within 30 days after 10 November 2023 or within 1,000 flight cycles after embodiment of the relevant service bulletin, whichever is later. Additionally, inspections must be conducted during the next shop visit involving core module flange separation and repeated every 1,000 flight cycles thereafter. Any detected damage requires corrective action before further flight or engine release to service. Group 2 engines may be modified to Group 1 standards following the specified service bulletin and then inspected accordingly.
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