What does FAA AD 2026-13-06 require for Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines?
FAA AD 2026-13-06, effective July 17, 2026, requires visual and dimensional inspections of the main fuel hose assembly of the fuel manifold on Trent XWB-75, -79, -79B, -84, and -97 engines. Inspections are repetitive for certain engine groups. The AD supersedes AD 2024-25-10, which applied only to the XWB-97.
What caused the Trent XWB fuel manifold hose AD to be issued?
A damaged Trent XWB-97 main fuel hose assembly caused a controlled, temporary engine fire and heat damage to the nacelle thrust reverser C-ducts, resulting in an in-flight engine shutdown. Investigation found that a specific cleaning process used during engine refurbishment can degrade the fuel hose assembly over time.
Quick Compliance Summary
| Regulatory body | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| AD number | 2026-13-06 — Amendment 39-23388 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-4661 |
| Engines affected | Rolls-Royce Deutschland (RRD) Trent XWB-75, -79, -79B, -84, -97 |
| Aircraft powered | Airbus A350 family |
| What changed | Supersedes AD 2024-25-10. Expands applicability to all XWB variants. Makes inspections repetitive for certain engine groups. Adds terminating action option |
| Required action | On-wing (and in some cases in-shop) visual and dimensional inspections of main fuel hose assembly of fuel manifold. Replace if required |
| Compliance deadline | July 17, 2026 |
| US registry note | No Trent XWB engines currently on the US registry. AD issued under bilateral agreement |
| Source | Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 127, July 2, 2026 — FR Doc 2026-13481 |
Who Should Read This
This update is directly relevant to:
- Continuing Airworthiness Managers (CAMs) for A350 fleets
- Directors of Maintenance for A350 operators
- Engine shop managers at Part 145 organizations with Trent XWB capability
- MRO Planning Teams scheduling Trent XWB shop visits
- Regulatory Affairs staff tracking engine AD compliance for non-US operators
A note on US applicability. The FAA has confirmed that no Trent XWB engines are currently on the US registry. The FAA issued this AD under its bilateral airworthiness agreement with EASA. US Part 145 maintenance organizations with Trent XWB capability should be aware of the AD’s requirements regardless, since they may be performing work on non-US registered engines.
Operators outside the US — particularly those flying A350-900 or A350-1000 variants — should ensure compliance with the underlying EASA AD 2025-0128R1, which this FAA AD incorporates by reference.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| AD Number | 2026-13-06 |
| Amendment | 39-23388 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-4661 |
| JASC Code | 7200 Engine (Turbine/Turboprop); 7310 Engine Fuel Distribution |
| Engines | Trent XWB-75, -79, -79B, -84, -97 |
| Aircraft | Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 family |
| Effective Date | July 17, 2026 |
| Supersedes | AD 2024-25-10 (Amendment 39-22912) |
| Originating authority | EASA AD 2025-0128R1, June 17, 2025 |
| Key change from prior AD | Applicability expanded; inspections made repetitive for certain engines; terminating action added |
| US registry impact | No US-registered engines — bilateral agreement basis |
What Changed
The FAA issued AD 2026-13-06 on July 2, 2026. It is effective July 17, 2026.
This AD supersedes AD 2024-25-10, which was issued January 31, 2025.
Three things changed from the earlier AD.
First: applicability expanded. AD 2024-25-10 applied only to Trent XWB-97 engines. This new AD extends coverage to Trent XWB-75, -79, -79B, and -84 engines as well. Every Trent XWB variant is now in scope.
Second: inspections are now repetitive for certain engines. AD 2024-25-10 required a one-time inspection. This AD makes inspections repetitive for certain engine groups. The frequency and method depend on the engine’s group classification under EASA AD 2025-0128R1.
Third: a terminating action is available. Operators can end the repetitive inspection cycle by completing the optional terminating action defined in EASA AD 2025-0128R1 — provided the engine has passed an inspection with no findings, or findings have been corrected.
Why It Matters
The underlying event was serious. A damaged main fuel hose assembly of the fuel manifold on a Trent XWB-97 engine led to a controlled, temporary engine fire. The fire caused heat damage to the exterior and interior of the engine nacelle, specifically the thrust reverser C-ducts. The event resulted in a commanded in-flight engine shutdown.
Investigation identified the root cause. A specific cleaning process used during engine refurbishment can degrade the main fuel hose assembly of the fuel manifold. The process causes degradation that is not immediately visible but progresses over time.
The risk is compounded. A degraded fuel hose alone may not immediately cause an event. But, combined with additional failures, it could lead to an engine fire and damage to the airplane. That combination risk is why the FAA moved from a one-time inspection to repetitive inspections for certain engine groups.
Who Is Affected
The AD covers specific Trent XWB engine serial numbers, as identified in EASA AD 2025-0128R1.
Not all engines in each variant family are affected. The EASA AD divides affected engines into groups. Each group has its own inspection threshold, interval, and method.
Check EASA AD 2025-0128R1 directly for the engine group classifications and confirm which group your specific engine serial numbers fall into. This determines whether a one-time or repetitive inspection applies.
Aircraft types powered by affected engines:
| Trent XWB Variant | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Trent XWB-75 | A350-900 (certain variants) |
| Trent XWB-79 / -79B | A350-900 |
| Trent XWB-84 | A350-900 |
| Trent XWB-97 | A350-1000 |
Required Action
Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in EASA AD 2025-0128R1, except as noted in the FAA AD’s exception paragraphs.
For certain engines — on-wing inspection:
- One-time or repetitive visual and dimensional inspections of the main fuel hose assembly of the fuel manifold
- Check for softness, compliance, and lack of resistance
- Check for shrinkage, cracks, chafing, dents, kinks, necking, and degradation of the hose braid wire
- Replace the assembly if required
For certain engines — in-shop inspection:
- Repetitive visual and dimensional inspections at shop visit
- Same inspection criteria as above
- Replace if required
Terminating action: Once an engine has passed an inspection with no findings, or findings have been corrected, operators may elect to perform the optional terminating action specified in EASA AD 2025-0128R1. This ends the repetitive inspection cycle for that engine.
Reporting: The FAA AD does not adopt the EASA AD’s reporting requirement to the manufacturer. US-registered engines (if any are added to the registry in future) are not required to report inspection results to RRD under this FAA AD.
Operational Impact
This AD affects A350 operators globally. The FAA has confirmed no US-registered engines at present, but international operators — particularly those flying A350-900 and A350-1000 routes — have been subject to the underlying EASA AD since June 2025.
The key operational change in this cycle is the shift to repetitive inspections for certain engine groups. A350 operators who completed the one-time inspection under the earlier regime should now check whether their engines fall into a group requiring ongoing repetitive inspections.
For MRO organizations with Trent XWB shop capability, this AD adds a routine inspection item to shop visit work scope for certain engine serial numbers. Planning teams should confirm current group classification and inspection status for every engine on their upcoming visit schedule.
The terminating action option is worth assessing for each engine. Ending the repetitive inspection cycle through the optional terminating action reduces long-term maintenance burden. Confirm eligibility with your engine shop or RRD technical support.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| EASA Emergency AD 2024-0174-E issued (original event) | September 5, 2024 |
| FAA AD 2024-25-10 issued (prior AD, XWB-97 only) | January 31, 2025 |
| EASA AD 2025-0128R1 issued (current MCAI) | June 17, 2025 |
| FAA AD 2026-13-06 published | July 2, 2026 |
| FAA AD 2026-13-06 effective | July 17, 2026 |
| FAA comment deadline | August 17, 2026 |
Source Documents
- Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 127, July 2, 2026 — FR Doc 2026-13481
- EASA AD 2025-0128R1, June 17, 2025 — available at ad.easa.europa.eu
- AD Docket: regulations.gov, Docket No. FAA-2026-4661
FAQ
Why did the FAA issue this AD if no Trent XWB engines are on the US registry?
The FAA issues ADs for products certified under bilateral airworthiness agreements even when no US-registered examples currently exist. This establishes the regulatory requirement in advance for any future US-registered aircraft or engines of this type.
Does this AD replace the one-time inspection I already completed under AD 2024-25-10?
It depends on which engine group your engine falls into under EASA AD 2025-0128R1. Some engines require a one-time inspection only. Others now require repetitive inspections. Check the EASA AD group classifications for your specific engine serial numbers.
What exactly is inspected?
The main fuel hose assembly of the fuel manifold. The inspection checks for softness, compliance, lack of resistance, and signs of shrinkage, cracks, chafing, dents, kinks, necking, and degradation of the hose braid wire.
Can I perform an on-wing inspection, or does it require a shop visit?
It depends on the engine group. Certain engines require on-wing inspection only. Others require both on-wing and in-shop repetitive inspections. EASA AD 2025-0128R1 specifies which applies to each group.
What is the terminating action?
An optional action defined in EASA AD 2025-0128R1 that, once completed on an eligible engine (one that has passed inspection with no findings, or findings corrected), ends the repetitive inspection requirement. Contact your engine shop or RRD technical support to confirm eligibility and procedure.
Does this AD require reporting results to Rolls-Royce?
Not under the FAA AD. The FAA explicitly did not adopt the EASA AD’s reporting requirement. Operators subject to EASA AD 2025-0128R1 directly should check their own reporting obligations under that directive.
Related Reading
aviationregwatch.com publishes regulatory intelligence for aviation compliance professionals. This article is an informational summary, not legal or airworthiness advice. Consult your engine manufacturer, CAMO, or legal counsel for compliance decisions specific to your operation.