EASA AD US-2021-26-22
Engine - High-Pressure Turbine Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disks - Inspection / Replacement
Summary
The FAA Airworthiness Directive 2021-26-22 is a final rule addressing certain General Electric Company CF6-80A and CF6-80C model turbofan engines. It mandates ultrasonic inspection and potential replacement of high-pressure turbine stage 1 and stage 2 disks to prevent uncontained disk failures. This directive applies to engines with specific serial-numbered HPT disks as identified in GE service bulletins.
What Changed
This directive supersedes AD 2020-20-13 by expanding the population of affected high-pressure turbine stage 1 and 2 disks requiring ultrasonic inspection. It corrects previous service information errors and continues to require replacement of any disks that fail inspection. The applicability now includes additional disk serial numbers not covered in the prior AD.
Why It Matters
This AD is critical for aviation safety as it prevents uncontained failures of HPT disks, which can cause severe engine and aircraft damage. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to avoid unsafe conditions and potential flight disruptions. The expanded inspection scope increases the number of engines subject to mandatory checks, impacting maintenance planning and resource allocation.
What To Do
Operators of affected GE CF6-80A and CF6-80C turbofan engines must perform ultrasonic inspections of specified HPT stage 1 and stage 2 disks at each piece-part exposure after March 14, 2022. Any disk failing inspection must be replaced before further flight. Compliance with the AD is mandatory from the effective date, and reporting requirements from the service bulletins are not mandated by this AD.
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