Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21011 · Turbine engine compressor section
Engine Alliance Turbofan Engines
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2021-12-01. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines with low-pressure compressor (LPC) 1st-stage fan blades, part number (P/N) 5700531, 5702931, 5702931CL1, or 5702931CL2, installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines with a certain low-pressure compressor (LPC) 1st-stage fan blade installed. This AD requires an ultrasonic inspection of the affected LPC 1st-stage fan blades and replacement of any affected fan blades that fail the inspection. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an engine due to the fracture of multiple fan blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For engines with affected LPC 1st-stage fan blades that have 3,250 or more flight cycles (FCs) since new as of the effective date of this AD, within 250 FCs after the effective date of this AD, perform an ultrasonic inspection of the LPC 1st-stage fan blades in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, “For Fan Blades Installed In An Engine,” paragraph 1, or “For Fan Blades Not Installed In an Engine,” paragraph 1, as applicable, of EA Service Bulletin (SB) EAGP7-A72-426, dated September 30, 2019.
(2) If the ultrasonic inspection of the affected fan blades results in a rejectable ultrasonic indication, remove the fan blade from service and replace with a part eligible for installation before further flight.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2): Guidance on determining a rejectable ultrasonic indication can be found in Non-Destructive Inspection Procedure, NDIP-1205, Revision 1—GP7000 1st Stage LPC Rotor (Fan) Blade Assembly Airfoil Ultrasonic Inspection for Cracks (Fan Blades installed or uninstalled), (“NDIP-1205”), dated September 23, 2019.
No reporting requirement contained within NDIP-1205 is required by this AD.
