Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15757 · Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series 94-Inch Fan Turbofan Engines
Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series 94-Inch Fan Turbofan Engines
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300-600 and A310-300, and Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767-200, 767-300, and MD-11 series airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engines. This AD requires a onetime visual inspection of all EEC-131 model electronic engine controls (EECs). This AD also requires the EECs to be identified, categorized by group number, marked, and replaced using a fleet management plan. This AD results from a report of an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown due to defective EEC pulse width modulator (PWM) microcircuits. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded in-flight engine shutdowns which could result in loss of thrust and prevent continued safe flight or landing.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done.
Within 600 operating hours after the effective date of this AD:
(1) Perform a onetime visual inspection of the EEC-131 model EECs to identify, categorize, and mark them as a Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, or Group 4 EEC.
(2) Use paragraphs 1 through 7 in the Accomplishment Instructions of P&W Alert Service Bulletin No. PW4ENG A73-214, Revision 2, dated May 23, 2008, to inspect, categorize, and mark the EECs.
(3) Within 30 calendar days of completing paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, report all inspection findings to Kevin Dickert, Engine Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803.
(4) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the reporting requirements and assigned OMB control number 2120-0056.
Replace Group 1 EECs with a serviceable EEC before reaching 2,000 cycles-in-service (CIS) after the effective date of this AD, but not later than one year from the effective date of this AD.
Replace the following groups of EECs with a serviceable EEC, or any EEC that does not violate the EEC installation procedure as provided by paragraphs (k), (l), and (m) of this AD, as follows:
(1) Group 2 EECs, before reaching 5,000 CIS after the effective date of this AD, but not later than 2 1/2 years after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Group 3 EECs, before reaching 13,000 CIS after the effective date of this AD, but not later than 6 1/2 years after the effective date of this AD.
(3) There are no scheduled replacement requirements for Group 4 EECs.
(i) A serviceable EEC is an EEC that does not violate the EEC installation procedure as provided by paragraphs (k), (l), and (m) of this AD, or a Group 4 EEC.
(j) Information on obtaining a serviceable EEC can be found in P&W SB No. PW4ENG 73-216, dated April 8, 2008. To obtain this SB, see paragraph (q) of this AD for P&W contact information.
Do not install any Group 1 EEC after 1 year from the effective date of this AD or any Group 1 EEC that has accumulated an additional 2,000 CIS from the effective date of this AD.
(l) Do not install any Group 2 EEC after 2 1/2 years from the effective date of this AD or any Group 2 EEC that has accumulated an additional 5,000 CIS from the effective date of this AD.
(m) Do not install any Group 3 EEC after 6 1/2 years from the effective date of this AD or any Group 3 EEC that has accumulated an additional 13,000 CIS from the effective date of this AD.
Inspecting, categorizing, and marking of EECs before the effective date of this AD performed using the Accomplishment Instructions of P&W Alert SB No. PW4ENG A73-214 original issue or Revision 1, satisfy the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
