Airworthiness Directives; Engine Alliance Turbofan Engines

FAA / Federal Register · 2019-20599

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-16-04 for all Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines. AD 2019-16-04 required a visual inspection of the 1st-stage low- pressure compressor (LPC) rotor assembly, referred to after this as the "engine fan hub assembly," for damage, a one-time eddy current inspection (ECI) of the engine fan hub blade slot bottom and blade slot front edge for cracks; and removal of parts if damage or defects are found. AD 2019-16-04 also required replacement of the engine fan hub blade lock assembly for certain GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines. This AD, for certain GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines, reduces the compliance time for the initial ECI and requires repetitive ECIs of the engine fan hub blade slot bottom and blade slot front edge for cracks. This AD also retains the visual inspection requirements of the engine fan hub assembly for all GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an uncontained failure of the engine fan hub. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.