2010-24-09: No. 3 bearing oil pressure tubes

2010-24-09 Pratt & Whitney: Amendment 39-16528; FAA-2010-0725; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-18-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD is effective December 28, 2010. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to the following Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines, with No. 3 bearing oil pressure tube, part number (P/N) 51J041-01, P/N 50J604-01, or P/N 50J924-01, installed: PW4000-94'' Engines (1) PW4000-94'' engines affected are PW4050, PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160, PW4460, PW4462, and PW4650, including models with any dash number suffix. PW4000-100'' Engines (2) PW4000-100'' engines affected are PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A, PW4164C, PW4164C/B, PW4170, PW4168A-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4164-1D, PW4164C-1D, and PW4164C/B-1D, including models with any dash number suffix. PW4000-112'' Engines (3) PW4000-112'' engines affected are PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084, PW4084D, PW4090, PW4090-3, PW4090D, and PW4098, including models with any dash number suffix. (4) These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300, A310, and A330 series, Boeing MD-11, 747, 767, and 777 series, airplanes. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD results from one report of a repaired No. 3 bearing oil pressure tube that cracked and caused an engine in-flight shutdown, one report of a test cell event, and seven reports since 2007, of repaired No. 3 bearing oil pressure tubes found cracked that led to unscheduled engine removals. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of No. 3 bearing oil pressure tubes, which could result in internal oil fire, failure of the high-pressure turbine disks, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane. Compliance (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed the next time the No. 3 bearing oil pressure tube is in the piece-part condition after the effective date of this AD, unless the actions have already been done. One-Time Visual Inspection of the No. 3 Bearing Oil Pressure Tube (f) Perform a one-time visual inspection of the exterior of the No. 3 bearing oil pressure tube for cracks and evidence of being repaired. (1) Remove the tube from service if any cracks are found. (2) Remove the tube from service if found repaired, or if suspected that the tube was repaired. (g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any repaired No. 3 bearing oil pressure tube into any engine. (h) Guidance on the No. 3 bearing oil pressure tube visual inspection can be found in: (1) Pratt & Whitney Clean, Inspect, Repair Manual PN 51A357, 72- 41-20 for PW4000-94'' and PW4000-100'' series engines; or (2) Pratt & Whitney Clean, Inspect, Repair Manual PN 51A750, 72- 41-20 for PW4000-112'' series engines. Definitions (i) For the purpose of this AD, piece part condition means that the part is completely disassembled from theengine as specified in the disassembly instructions in the manufacturer's engine manual. Alternative Methods of Compliance (j) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (k) For more information about this AD, contact James Gray, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7742; fax (781) 238-7199; e-mail: [email protected]. Material Incorporated by Reference (l) None.