2005-25-05: Time Limits Section (TLS)

2005-25-05 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-14398. Docket No. 98-ANE- 48-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD becomes effective June 12, 2006. Affected ADs (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-17-02. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-1, -1A, -1B, - 7, -7A, -7B, -9, -9A, -11, -15, -15A, -17, -17A, -17R, and -17AR series turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to Boeing 727 and 737 series, and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 series airplanes. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD results from the need to require enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts of PW JT8D series turbofan engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane. Compliance (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done. (f) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, (1) revise the Time Limits Section (TLS) of the manufacturer's Engine Manual, Part Number 481672, as appropriate for PW JT8D-1, - 1A, -1B, -7, -7A, -7B, -9, -9A, -11, -15, -15A, -17, -17A, -17R, and -17AR series turbofan engines, and (2) for air carriers, revise the approved mandatory inspections section of the continuous airworthiness maintenance program, by adding the following: "Critical Life Limited Part Inspection A. Inspection Requirements: (1) This section has the definitions for individual engine piece parts and the inspection procedures which are necessary when these parts are removed from the engine. (2) It is necessary to do the inspection procedures of the piece parts in paragraph B when: (a) The part is removed from the engine and disassembled to the level specified in paragraph B and (b) The part has accumulated more than 100 cycles since the last piecepart inspection, provided that the part was not damaged or related to the cause for its removal from the engine. (3) The inspections specified in this paragraph do not replace or make not necessary other recommended inspections for these parts or other parts. B. Parts Requiring Inspection: Note: Piece part is defined as any of the listed parts with all the blades removed. Description Section Inspection Number 72 33 31 02, 03, 04, 05 Hub (Disk), 1st Stage Compressor: Hub Detail All P/Ns Hub Assembly All P/Ns 72 33 31 02, 03, 04, 05 72 33 33 02, 03 2nd Stage Compressor: Disk All P/Ns Disk Assembly All P/Ns 72 33 33 02, 03 Disk, 13th Stage Compressor All P/Ns 72 36 47 02 HP Turbine Disk, First Stage w/integral Shaft All P/Ns 72 52 04 03 72 52 02 04 HP Turbine, First Stage, w/separable Shaft: Rotor Assembly All P/Ns Disk All P/Ns 72 52 02 03 Disk, 2nd Stage Turbine All P/Ns 72 53 16 02 Disk, 3rd Stage Turbine All P/Ns 72 53 17 02 Disk (Separable), 4th Stage Turbine All P/Ns 72 53 15 02 Disk (Integral Disk/Hub), 4th Stage Turbine All P/Ns 72 53 18 02" Alternative Methods of Compliance (g) You must perform these mandatory inspections using the TLS and the applicable Engine Manual unless you receive approval to use an alternative method of compliance under paragraph (h) of this AD. Section 43.16 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.16) may not be used to approve alternative methods of compliance or adjustments to the times in which these inspections must be performed. (h) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Maintaining Records of the Mandatory Inspections (i) You have met the requirements of this AD by using a TLS of the manufacturer's engine manual changed as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, and, for air carriers operating under part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 121), by modifying your continuous airworthiness maintenance plan to reflect those changes. You must maintain records of the mandatory inspections that result from those changes to the TLS according to the regulations governing your operation. You do not need to record each piece-part inspection as compliance to this AD. For air carriers operating under part 121, you may use either the system established to comply with section 121.369 or use an alternative system that your principal maintenance inspector has accepted if that alternative system: (1) Includes a method for preserving and retrieving the records of the inspections resulting from this AD; and (2) Meets the requirements of section 121.369(c); and (3) Maintains the records either indefinitely or until the work is repeated. (j) These recordkeeping requirements apply onlyto the records used to document the mandatory inspections required as a result of revising the TLS as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, and do not alter or amend the recordkeeping requirements for any other AD or regulatory requirement. Related Information (k) None.