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2018-13-02: Turbine Engine Combustion Section

FAA order 2018-13-02 is an airworthiness directive in force since July 20, 2018. The FAA's subject line: Turbine Engine Combustion Section. It names the Pratt & Whitney PW4052, Pratt & Whitney PW4056, Pratt & Whitney PW4060, Pratt & Whitney PW4062, Pratt & Whitney PW4062A, Pratt & Whitney PW4158, Pratt & Whitney PW4460, Pratt & Whitney PW4462 engines: about 131 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Engine
Makes: Pratt & Whitney Division
Models: PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, PW4462
Engine series: Pratt & Whitney PW4052 1 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney PW4056 25 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney PW4060 14 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney PW4062 6 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney PW4062A 2 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney PW4158 65 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney PW4460 10 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney PW4462 8 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: July 20, 2018
Published: June 15, 2018 (signed June 11, 2018)
Docket: FAA-2017-0817
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engine models, including engines identified with suffixes -1C, -1E, -3, -3A, or -3B. This AD was prompted by the discovery of multiple cracked 4th stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) air seals in the fleet. This AD requires removal from service of certain 4th stage LPT air seals. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (2,882 characters)

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): 

2018-13-02 Pratt & Whitney Division: Amendment 39-19314; Docket No. FAA-2017-0817; Product Identifier 2017-NE-30-AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

	This AD is effective July 20, 2018. 

(b) Affected ADs 

	None. 

(c) Applicability 

	This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engine models, including engines identified with suffixes -1C, -1E, -3, -3A, or -3B, with 4th stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) air seal, part number (P/N) 50N346, installed. 

(d) Subject 

	Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine Combustion Section. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

	This AD was prompted by the discovery of multiple cracked air seals. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 4th stage LPT air seal. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of the air seal, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

	Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. 

(g) Required Actions 

	The next time the 4th stage LPT vanes are removed from the LPT module, remove 4th stage air seal, P/N 50N346, from service and replace with a part eligible for installation. 

(h) Installation Prohibition 

	After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 4th stage LPT air seal, P/N 50N346, into any LPT module. 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

	(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local flight standards district office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. 
	(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. 

(j) Related Information 

	For more information about this AD, contact Jo-Ann Theriault, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7105; fax: 781-238-7199; email: jo-ann.theriault@faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

	None.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 7, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2018-13-02.json · aircraft systems.