EASA AD US-2021-01-03
Engine - High-Pressure Turbine 1st Stage and 2nd Stage Disks - Removal
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2021-01-03 addresses certain International Aero Engines AG V2500 series turbofan engines installed on aircraft such as the Airbus A321-231. This directive mandates the removal from service of specific high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage and 2nd-stage disks due to an identified unsafe condition following an uncontained disk failure event. The AD aims to prevent potential engine failures that could lead to damage to the engine, aircraft, or loss of the airplane.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory removal of additional populations of HPT 1st-stage and 2nd-stage disks beyond those previously identified in Emergency AD 2020-07-51. It expands the scope of affected disks to include more serial numbers and engine models within the IAE V2500 family. The directive requires removal within 50 flight cycles or 30 days after the effective date to mitigate the risk of uncontained failures.
Why It Matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a severe safety risk involving uncontained turbine disk failures that can cause high-energy debris damage. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain airworthiness and prevent in-flight engine failures. Timely adherence to the directive safeguards aircraft integrity and passenger safety while avoiding costly unscheduled maintenance or accidents.
What To Do
Operators of aircraft with affected IAE V2500 engines must identify and remove from service the specified HPT 1st-stage and 2nd-stage disks within 50 flight cycles or 30 days from January 21, 2021, whichever occurs first. Maintenance and compliance teams should review engine serial numbers against the AD's affected parts list and coordinate disk replacements promptly. Comments on the AD are accepted until February 22, 2021.
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