Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB.211 Trent 800 Series Turbofan Engines

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Rolls-Royce plc RB.211 Trent 800 series turbofan engines. This action requires initial and repetitive visual and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) of the angled drive upper shroud tube for frettage and cracking, initial and repetitive visual inspections and FPI for cracking, a one-tine FPI for porosity of the intermediate gearbox housing (IGH), and initial and repetitive visual inspections for cracking of the external gearbox lower bevel box (LBB) housing. In addition, this action requires initial and repetitive master magnetic chip detector inspections. Finally, prior to initiation of Extended Range Twin-Engine Operations (ETOPS), or prior to September 30, 1997, whichever occurs first, this action requires installation of a redesigned angled drive upper shroud tube and a lower splitter fairing with revised sealing. This amendment is prompted by reports of loss of oil from the angle drive upper shroud tube, the IGH, the LBB, and by reports of bearing failures. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of oil, which could cause an engine fire. This AD is also intended to prevent inflight engine shutdowns and airplane diversions caused by oil loss and from bearing failures.