EASA AD 2025-0021R1
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2025-0266
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0021R1 is an updated directive addressing the inspection and maintenance of Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-72 and Trent 7000-72C engines, primarily installed on Airbus A330 (NEO) aircraft. It mandates on-wing borescope inspections of high pressure turbine (HPT) blades with part number KH64485 to detect axial cracking and requires corrective actions including engine removal and blade replacement if cracks exceed specified limits. The directive also introduces a life limit for affected HPT blades and excludes engines modified with mod 72-K336 from these requirements.
What Changed
This revision modifies the heading of Table 4 to align with its title and retains the inspection requirements from previous ADs while adding inspection of the convex surface (Area C4) of the HPT blades. It also clarifies the expanded population of serviceable parts and confirms that engines with mod 72-K336 are not affected. Additionally, it updates compliance times and inspection intervals based on accumulated flight cycles.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to prevent potential high pressure turbine blade failures that could lead to engine in-flight shutdowns and reduced aircraft control. Operators and maintenance organizations must adhere to the inspection schedules and corrective actions to ensure continued airworthiness and regulatory compliance. The life limitation and exclusion of modified engines help optimize maintenance planning and resource allocation.
What To Do
Operators must perform initial and repetitive on-wing borescope inspections of affected HPT blades before exceeding specified flight cycle thresholds and at intervals not exceeding 50 flight cycles. If cracks above defined limits are found, engines must be removed from service and blades replaced with serviceable parts. The affected blades must be replaced before reaching 1,000 flight cycles since new. Modification with mod 72-K336 is a terminating action for repetitive inspections. Compliance deadlines are detailed in the directive's tables and notes.