Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22098 · Turbine engine combustion section
General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) GE Passport 20-17BB1A, GE Passport 20-18BB1A, and GE Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GE Passport 20-17BB1A, GE Passport 20- 18BB1A, and GE Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by fuel leakage from the fuel nozzle to fuel manifold coupling nut connections. This AD requires a visual inspection of the core compartment, a re-torque of the core compartment coupling nuts, a ground power assurance check, and a borescope inspection. Depending on the results of the inspections, this AD requires operators to perform applicable maintenance in accordance with their FAA-approved instructions for continued airworthiness. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For all affected engines, within the compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the core compartment for indications of fuel leakage, undetected fire, and heat distress:
(i) For engines with less than or equal to 150 cycles since new (CSN) as of the effective date of this AD, inspect before exceeding 30 flight cycles (FCs) after the effective date of this AD.
(ii) For engines with 151 to 200 CSN as of the effective date of this AD, inspect before exceeding 50 FCs after the effective date of this AD.
(iii) For engines with greater than 200 CSN as of the effective date of this AD, inspect before exceeding 75 FCs after the effective date of this AD.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD can be found in GE Service Bulletin (SB) PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0141-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 000, dated April 12, 2022, or GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 001, dated May 11, 2022 (GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D).
(2) If, during the visual inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, there are indications of fuel leakage, undetected fire, or heat distress, before further flight, perform applicable maintenance in accordance with the FAA-approved instructions for continued airworthiness.
(3) For engines with engine serial number (ESN) 904257 or higher, before exceeding 30 FCs after the effective date of the AD, re-torque the core compartment coupling nuts in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (8) through (24) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D.
(4) For engines with ESN 904256 or lower, before exceeding 100 FCs after the effective date of the AD, re-torque the core compartment coupling nuts in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (8) through (24) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D.
(5) For all affected engines, before further flight after performing the required actions in paragraph (g)(3) or (4), as applicable, perform a ground power assurance check and a borescope inspection of the core compartment in accordance with Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (32) through (38) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D.
Where GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D specifies contacting “your GE field service engineer or 24/7 Business Aviation Support,” this AD requires the engine to be serviced using FAA-approved maintenance procedures.
The reporting requirements in the Accomplishment Instructions, 6.B., Procedure, paragraphs (11), (14), (18), (20), (23) and (36) of GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D are not required by this AD.
