Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19556 · Turbine engine compressor section
Engine Alliance Turbofan Engines
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2019-16-04. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines with engine fan hub assembly, part number (P/N) 5760221 or P/N 5760321, installed.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-11-16 for all Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 and GP7277 turbofan engines with a certain engine fan hub assembly. AD 2018-11-16 required a one-time eddy current inspection (ECI) of the engine fan hub blade slot bottom and blade slot front edge for cracks, a visual inspection of the engine fan hub assembly for damage, and removal of parts if damage or defects are found that are outside serviceable limits. This AD retains these requirements, but expands the population of affected engine fan hub assemblies and revises the compliance time for the inspections. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that inspections need to be expanded to all EA GP7270 and GP7277 turbofan engines. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Within 3,000 cycles since new after the effective date of this AD, or by August 15, 2019, whichever is later:
(1) For engine fan hubs at the low-pressure compressor (LPC) module assembly level:
(i) Perform a visual inspection of the engine fan hub assembly, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, For Fan Hubs at LPC Module Assembly Level, paragraphs 1.A.(1), 1.A.(4), and 1.A.(6)(a), of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-389, Revision No. 3, dated October 18, 2018.
(ii) Perform an eddy current inspection (ECI) of the engine fan hub blade slot bottoms and front edges, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, For Fan Hubs at LPC Module Assembly Level, paragraphs 2.A and 2.B, of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-389, Revision No. 3, dated October 18, 2018.
(2) For engine fan hub assemblies at the piece part level:
(i) Perform a visual inspection of the engine fan hub assembly, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, For Fan Hubs at Piece Part Level, paragraphs 1.A.(1) and 1.A.(3), of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-389, Revision No. 3, dated October 18, 2018.
(ii) Perform an ECI of the engine fan hub blade slot bottoms and front edges, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, For Fan Hubs at Piece Part Level, paragraphs 2.A and 2.B, of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-389, Revision No. 3, dated October 18, 2018.
(3) For engine fan hub assemblies installed in an engine (on-wing or off-wing):
(i) Perform a visual inspection of the engine fan hub assembly, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, For Fan Hubs Installed in an Engine, paragraphs 1.C.(1), 1.C.(5), and 1.C.(7)(a), of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-389, Revision No. 3, dated October 18, 2018.
(ii) Perform an ECI of the engine fan hub blade slot bottoms and front edges, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, For Fan Hubs Installed in an Engine, paragraphs 1.D.(1) and 1.D.(2), of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-389, Revision No. 3, dated October 18, 2018.
(4) If the engine fan hub assembly visual inspection reveals defects or damage to the engine fan hub assembly that are found outside the serviceable limits specified in Table 6 in the Accomplishment Instructions of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-389, Revision No. 3, dated October 18, 2018, remove the engine fan hub assembly from service and replace with a part that is eligible for installation, before further flight.
(5) If the engine fan hub assembly ECI results in a rejectable indication, per the Appendix, Added Data, of EA ASB EAGP7-A72-389, Revision No. 3, dated October 18, 2018, remove the engine fan hub assembly from service and replace with a part that is eligible for installation, before further flight.
