Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15224 · General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A5F Turbofan Engines
General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A5F Turbofan Engines
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A5F turbofan engines, installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300F4-605R airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GE CF6-80C2A5F turbofan engines installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300F4-605R airplanes. This AD requires removing previous software versions from the engine electronic control unit (ECU). Engines with new version software will have increased margin to flameout. This AD results from reports of engine flameout events during flight, including reports of events where all engines simultaneously experienced a flameout or other adverse operation. Although the root cause investigation is not yet complete, we believe that exposure to ice crystals during flight is associated with these flameout events. We are issuing this AD to minimize the potential of an all-engine flameout event caused by ice accretion and shedding during flight.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done.
These actions are interim actions due to the on-going investigation, and we may take further rulemaking actions in the future based on the results of the investigation and field experience.
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, remove software version 8.4.E or older versions, from the engine ECUs, part numbers 1797M63P01, 1797M63P02, 1797M63P03, 1797M63P04, 1797M63P05, 1820M99P01, 1820M99P02, 1820M99P03, 1820M99P04, and 1820M99P05.
You may use an ECU installed on an engine with a software version of 8.4.E or older for no longer than 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
(i) Once software version 8.4.E or older has been removed and new FAA-approved software version is installed in an ECU, reverting to version 8.4.E or older of ECU software in that ECU is prohibited.
(j) After 24 months from the effective date of this AD, use of an ECU with a software version of 8.4.E or older is prohibited.
