2010-21-17: Fan blade

2010-21-17 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-16477. Docket No. FAA-2010- 0514; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-02-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 12, 2010. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-9, -9A, -11, - 15, -17, and -17R turbofan engines. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 727 series, Boeing 737-200 series and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 airplanes. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD results from reports of failed fan blades. We are issuing this AD to prevent high-cycle fatigue cracking at the blade root, which could result in uncontained failures of first stage fan blades 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. Initial Overhaul (f) For engines where the cycles-in-service (CIS) since the last overhaul of the fan blades are known, overhaul the total set of stage 1 fan blades at the first shop visit after 4,000 CIS since the last total stage 1 fan blade overhaul, or the next shop visit after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Guidance on performing a fan blade overhaul can be found in Pratt & Whitney JT8D Maintenance Advisory Notice No. MAN-JT8D-2-06, and the Engine Manual Chapter/Section 72-33-21, Inspection 00. (g) For engines where the CIS since the last overhaul of the fan blades are unknown, overhaul the total set of stage 1 fan blades at the next shop visit after the effective date of this AD. Guidance on performing a fan blade overhaul can be found in Pratt & Whitney JT8D Maintenance Advisory Notice No. MAN-JT8D-2-06, and the Engine Manual Chapter/Section 72-33-21, Inspection 00. Repetitive Overhaul (h) Thereafter, overhaul the total set of stage 1 fan blades at the first shop visit after 4,000 CIS since thelast total stage 1 fan blade overhaul. Guidance on performing a fan blade overhaul can be found in Pratt & Whitney JT8D Maintenance Advisory Notice No. MAN-JT8D-2-06, and the Engine Manual Chapter/Section 72-33-21, Inspection 00. Definitions (i) For the purpose of this AD, a shop visit is the induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges (lettered flanges), except that the separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of transporting the engine without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engine shop visit. Alternative Methods of Compliance (j) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (k) Contact James Gray, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: james.e.gray@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7742; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. (l) Pratt & Whitney JT8D Maintenance Advisory Notice No. MAN- JT8D-2-06, dated November 20, 2006, pertains to the subject of this AD. Contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108; telephone (860) 565-7700; fax (860) 565-1605, for a copy of this service information. Material Incorporated by Reference (m) None.