Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18439 · Engines
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes, certificated in any category, powered by General Electric (GE) GEnx engines.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes powered by GE GEnx engines. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to provide the flight crew a new fan ice removal procedure to reduce the likelihood of engine damage due to fan ice shedding. This AD also requires, for certain airplanes, reworking the fan stator module assembly on GE GEnx-1B Performance Improvement Program (PIP) 2 engines. This AD was prompted by a recent engine fan blade rub event that caused an in-flight non-restartable power loss. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced fan tip clearance, which could result in engine damage and a possible in-flight non-restartable power loss of one or both engines.
Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Certificate Limitations chapter of the applicable Boeing 787 AFM to include the statement provided in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
| Engine Operational Limits |
| Cold Weather Operations Fan Ice Removal |
| In order to avoid possible fan damage and engine failure, when in icing conditions above 12,500 feet MSL, the flight crew must comply with the Cold Weather Operations Additional Fan Ice Removal procedure contained in the Operating Procedures chapter of this manual. |
Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Operating Procedures chapter of the Boeing 787 AFM to include the statement provided in figure 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
| Cold Weather Operations Additional Fan Ice Removal Procedure |
| This procedure is required when in icing conditions above 12,500 feet MSL, by the Engine Operational Limits Cold Weather Operations Fan Ice Removal limitation contained in the Certificate Limitations chapter of this manual. The language below shall not be modified. |
| During flight in icing conditions (EAI EICAS indication showing) with N1 settings below 85%, or when fan icing is suspected due to high engine vibration, the fan blades must be cleared of any ice. Do the following procedure every 5 minutes on both engines, one engine at a time: Increase to a minimum of 85% N1 momentarily, then resume normal operation. |
For airplanes with two engines with engine serial numbers listed in paragraph 1.A., “Effectivity,” of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0309 R00, dated March 11, 2016: On or before March 25, 2016, rework the fan stator module assembly of one of the engines, in accordance with paragraphs 3.A.(1)(b), 3.B., or 3.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0309 R00, dated March 11, 2016.
As of March 25, 2016, no person may operate an airplane that has two engines with engine serial numbers listed in paragraph 1.A., “Effectivity,” of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0309 R00, dated March 11, 2016, unless at least one engine has been reworked in accordance with paragraph 3.A.(1)(b), 3.B., or 3.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE GEnx-1B Service Bulletin 72-0309 R00, dated March 11, 2016.
Although GE GEnx Service Bulletin GEnx-1B 72-0309 R00, dated March 11, 2016, specifies reporting certain tip clearance measurements to GE, this AD does not require any report.
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.
Aircraft
