Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23066 · Turbine engine combustion section
General Electric Company Engines
This AD applies to the following General Electric Company (GE) Model engines:
(1) CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, and CF34-8C5B1 engines with an installed combustion chamber assembly (CCA) having part number (P/N) 4145T11G08, 4145T11G10, 4180T27G02, 4180T27G04, or 4923T82G02; and
(2) CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 engines with an installed CCA having P/N 4145T11G08, 4145T11G09, 4180T27G01, or 4180T27G03.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5, CF34- 8C5A1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, CF34-8C5B1, CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34- 8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 engines. This AD was prompted by a predicted reduction in the cyclic life of the combustion chamber assembly (CCA) forward flange. This AD requires fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) of the CCA for any indications and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For affected Group 1 engines with an installed CCA having less than 15,000 part cycles since new (PCSN) as of the effective date of this AD, before the accumulation of 28,500 PCSN, remove the CCA from service and replace with P/N 4180T27G08 or a later approved P/N.
(2) For affected Group 2 engines with an installed CCA having less than 15,000 PCSN as of the effective date of this AD, before the accumulation of 25,500 PCSN, remove the CCA from service and replace with P/N 4180T27G07 or a later approved P/N.
(3) For affected Group 1 and 2 engines with an installed CCA having between 15,000 PCSN and 24,999 PCSN as of the effective date of this AD, before the accumulation of 25,000 PCSN, perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) on the forward flange of the CCA for any indications.
(4) If no indications are found during the FPI required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD, within 15,000 part cycles from the date of the FPI, remove the CCA from service and replace with P/N 4180T27G07, 4180T27G08, or a later approved P/N, as applicable. Multiple FPIs of the forward flange prior to the 25,000 PCSN threshold are permitted. However, the affected CCA must be removed from service and replaced no later than 15,000 cycles from the last inspection performed before the 25,000 PCSN threshold.
(5) For affected Group 1 and 2 engines with an installed CCA having more than 25,000 PCSN as of the effective date of this AD, at the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this AD, perform an FPI on the forward flange of the CCA for any indications.
(6) If no indications are found during the FPI required by paragraph (g)(5) of this AD, within 15,000 part cycles from the date of the FPI and not to exceed 41,100 PCSN, remove the CCA from service and replace with P/N 4180T27G07, 4180T27G08, or a later approved P/N, as applicable.
(7) If an indication is found during any FPI required by paragraph (g)(3) or (5) of this AD, before further flight, remove the CCA from service and replace with P/N 4180T27G07, P/N 4180T27G08, or a later approved P/N, as applicable.
For the purpose of this AD:
(1) “Group 1 engines” are GE Model CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5A1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, and CF34-8C5B1 engines.
(2) “Group 2 engines” are GE Model CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 engines.
(3) An “engine shop visit” is the induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges.
After the effective date of this AD, do not reinstall any CCAs that were removed as a result of paragraphs (g)(1), (2), (4), (6), and (7) of this AD in any engine.
