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2023-03-12: Turbine Engine Compressor Section

FAA order 2023-03-12 is an airworthiness directive in force since March 31, 2023. The FAA's subject line: Turbine Engine Compressor Section. It names the Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1, Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1A, Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1B engines: about 233 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 Canada Corp.
Models: JT15D-1, JT15D-1A, JT15D-1B
Engine series: Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1 159 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1A 73 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1B 1 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: March 31, 2023
Published: February 24, 2023 (signed February 7, 2023)
Docket: FAA-2022-1478
Replaces: 2004-04-09
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-04- 09, which applied to certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) JT15D- 1, JT15D-1A, and JT15D-1B model turbofan engines. AD 2004-04-09 required a one-time borescope inspection (BSI) of the rear face of certain impellers for evidence of a machined groove or step, and repair or replacement of the impeller if a groove or step is found. Since the FAA issued AD 2004-04-09, the FAA was notified of an uncontained failure of an impeller installed on a P&WC JT15D-1A engine during takeoff and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that discovered machining marks on the impeller. This AD was prompted by three prior reports of uncontained failure of the impeller, and one additional recent report of an in-service uncontained failure event. This AD requires borescope fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the rear face of certain impellers for evidence of machining witness lines and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the impeller, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,192 characters)

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2004-04-09, Amendment 39-13490 (69 FR 9520, March 1, 2004); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-03-12 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-22337; Docket No. FAA-2022-1478; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00668-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 31, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2004-04-09, Amendment 39-13490 (69 FR 9520, March 1, 2004). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. JT15D-1, JT15D-1A, and JT15D-1B model turbofan engines as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27, dated May 19, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by three prior reports of uncontained failure of the impeller, and one additional recent report of an in-service uncontained failure event. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the impeller. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in fracture of the impeller, subsequent uncontained failure of the engine, and damage to the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27. (h) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (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 and email it 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) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27, dated May 19, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Transport Canada AD CF-2022-27, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: 888-663-3639; email: AD-CN@tc.gc.ca; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on February 7, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-03605 Filed 2-23-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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/2023-03-12.json · aircraft systems.