Rolls-Royce Engines Get Blade Inspection Upgrade from FAA
Published Date: 8/20/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-11-15, which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. AD 2022-11-15 requires initial and repetitive on-wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT blade set. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-11-15, RRD issued updated service material providing improved instructions for inspection of the HPT blades, removing the reduced life limit for affected HPT blades, and revising the HPT blade limits for axial cracking. This proposed AD would continue to require initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the HPT blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT blade set. This proposed AD would also remove the reduced life limit for affected HPT blades. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Removal of reduced life limit for HPT blades
The proposed directive would remove the previously required reduced life limit (a forced replacement before exceeding a specified number of flight cycles) for the affected HPT blades on Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. Instead, operators will follow the updated inspection instructions and revised crack limits in the incorporated EASA service material.
Potential expensive HPT blade replacements
If inspections find axial cracking that meets the replacement criteria, the AD would require removal from service and in‑shop replacement of the HPT blade set for Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. The FAA estimates replacement labor at 16 work‑hours (16 x $85 = $1,360), parts cost of $2,001,780, and a total per‑engine replacement cost of $2,003,140.
Mandatory on-wing borescope inspections
If you operate Rolls‑Royce Deutschland Trent7000-72 or Trent7000-72C engines, the FAA proposes to require initial and repetitive on‑wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of the high‑pressure turbine (HPT) blades to detect axial cracking. The FAA estimates each inspection requires 5 work‑hours at $85/hour for a cost of $425 per engine and would affect 78 engines on U.S. registry (total estimated inspection cost $33,150).
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Key Dates
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