Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 884B, 892, 892B, and 895 Series Turbofan Engines

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 875, 877, 884, 892, 892B, and 895 series turbofan engines with certain part number (P/N) low pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades installed. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the fan blade dovetail roots. This AD requires the same actions except at reduced compliance times for certain blades, defines a specific terminating action to the repetitive blade inspection requirements, and adds the 884B series to the applicability. This AD results from a report of a cracked fan blade found before the blade reached the initial inspection threshold of AD 2002-11-08. This AD also results from the need to reduce a repetitive inspection compliance time due to potential breakdown of blade coating and lubrication on certain blades. We are issuing this AD to prevent multiple LPC fan blade failures due to cracks, which could result in uncontained engine failure and possible damage to the airplane.