2015-22-03: LPT 4th stage IAS

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2015-22-03 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-18307; Docket No. FAA-2015-0787; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-10-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective December 1, 2015. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to: (1) All Pratt & Whitney Division PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A, PW4164C, PW4164C/B, PW4164-1D, PW4168-1D, PW4168A-1D, PW4170, PW4164C-1D, and PW4164C/B-1D turbofan engines with a low-pressure turbine (LPT) 4th stage inner air seal (IAS), part number (P/N) 51N038, installed. (2) All PW4050, PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4060A, PW4060C, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4160, PW4460, PW4462, and PW4650 turbofan engines including models with a ``-3'' suffix with an LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, installed. (d) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the discovery, during routine overhaul of the LPT, of cracks in the barrel section of the LPT 4th stage IAS which could, if not corrected, result in uncontained IAS release, damage to the engine, and damage to the aircraft. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT 4th stage IAS, which could lead to an uncontained IAS release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. (e) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. For the engines listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: (1) At each LPT overhaul after the effective date of this AD, remove from service the LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038. (2) At each engine shop visit afterthe effective date of this AD, remove from service the LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, if it has more than 10,900 cycles since new. (f) Installation Prohibition (1) Do not install any LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, with more than 0 flight cycles on any engine listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD. (2) Do not install on any engine listed in paragraphs (c)(2) of this AD, any LPT 4th stage IAS, P/N 51N038, which was previously installed on any engine listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD. (g) Definitions For the purposes of this AD: (1) An LPT overhaul is defined as when all disks in the rotor are removed from the engine and the blades are removed. (2) 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 (lettered flanges). The separation of engine flanges solely for the purpose of transportation without subsequent engine maintenance does not constitute an engineshop visit. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. [[Page 65616]] (i) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Katheryn Malatek, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: katheryn.malatek@faa.gov. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference None.