The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

78-11-03: First Stage Fan Blades

FAA order 78-11-03 is an airworthiness directive in force since August 10, 1978. The FAA's subject line: First Stage Fan Blades. It names the Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B, Pratt & Whitney JT3D series engines: about 5 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
JT3D-1, JT3D-1-MC6, JT3D-1-MC7, JT3D-1A, JT3D-1A-MC6, JT3D-1A-MC7, JT3D-3, JT3D-3B, JT3D-3C, JT3D-5A, JT3D-7, JT3D-7A
Engine series
Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B 3 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney JT3D series 2 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since
August 10, 1978
Docket
Unknown
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (1,701 characters)
78-11-03 PRATT & WHITNEY AIRCRAFT: Amendment 39-3224. Applies to all Pratt & Whitney Aircraft JT3D turbofan engine models. Compliance required not later than March 1, 1980, unless already accomplished. To preclude failures of first stage fan blades due to forging laps, which could result in aircraft damage, perform a one-time blue etch anodize inspection of the blades in accordance with the procedures given in Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin 4733, dated May 5, 1977, or later FAA approved revision, and Special Instruction 2F-77, dated January 28, 1977, or later FAA approved revision. Fan blades that exhibit blue etch linear indications in the inspection areas shown in Figure 1 of ASB 4733 must be reworked or scrapped in accordance with the forging lap repair limits established in Figure 2 of ASB 4733, dated May 5, 1977, or later FAA approved revision. NOTE: The AD does not change the present fan blade blend limits given in the JT3D engine manual. Themanufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1). All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Division of United Technologies Corporation, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. These documents may also be examined at Federal Aviation Administration, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, and at FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. This amendment becomes effective August 10, 1978.

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/78-11-03.json · aircraft systems.