EASA AD US-2018-17-04
Engine - Turbine Wheels - Removal / Replacement
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2018-17-04 addresses certain Rolls-Royce Corporation AE 2100D2A and AE 2100D3 turboprop engines and AE 3007A2 turbofan engines. It focuses on the removal and replacement of specific 1st-stage gas generator turbine wheels and 1st-stage high-pressure turbine wheels due to potential low-cycle fatigue failure. This directive applies to engines with specified part and serial numbers to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive requires the removal of affected turbine wheels at the next engine shop visit or before reaching newly established reduced life limits of 4,800 or 5,600 engine cycles, depending on the engine model. It introduces mandatory replacement of these turbine wheels with parts eligible for installation to mitigate the risk of fatigue failure. The directive incorporates specific Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletins as the standard for compliance.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk involving potential uncontained turbine wheel failures, which can cause significant engine and aircraft damage. Operators and maintenance organizations must track affected parts and ensure timely replacement to maintain compliance and avoid unsafe conditions. Compliance helps prevent in-flight engine failures and supports regulatory adherence.
What To Do
Operators of affected Rolls-Royce AE 2100D2A, AE 2100D3, and AE 3007A2 engines must remove and replace the specified turbine wheels at the next engine shop visit or before exceeding the new life limits of 4,800 or 5,600 engine cycles, whichever occurs first. They should follow the instructions in the referenced Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletins. The compliance deadline for this action is September 21, 2018.
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.