EASA AD 2019-0146
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2019-0150
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0146 is an airworthiness directive addressing certain CFM56-5B, CFM56-5C, and CFM56-7B engines installed on aircraft including Airbus A318, A319, A320, A321, A340 and Boeing 737-600, 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900. The directive focuses on the replacement of rotating air high pressure turbine (HPT) front seals that are susceptible to cracking if removed and re-installed on different HPT disks. It mandates specific inspections and replacements to ensure continued airworthiness and safe operation of affected engines.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0146 introduces mandatory replacement of affected rotating air HPT front seals with serviceable parts within defined compliance times based on engine model and usage. It prohibits re-installation of affected parts on any engine and sets operational limitations on aircraft with engines equipped with affected parts beyond certain engine cycle thresholds. This AD is a new regulation addressing a specific unsafe condition related to seal cracking.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential unsafe condition that could lead to engine in-flight shutdown and reduced aircraft control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to avoid safety risks and regulatory violations. The AD impacts maintenance planning, parts inventory management, and operational scheduling due to the replacement and inspection requirements.
What To Do
Affected operators must replace the identified rotating air HPT front seals within the compliance times specified in the directive, which vary by engine model and engine cycles since re-installation. They must also avoid operating aircraft with two engines equipped with affected parts exceeding specified engine cycle limits and must not install affected parts on any engine from the effective date. Compliance deadlines range from immediate to within several thousand engine cycles depending on the engine type.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.