The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed to supersede two Airworthiness Directives (ADs) relating to certain PW100G series International Aero Engines after an investigation revealed accelerated risk of potential failure.
AD 2022-19-15 (relating to certain PW1100G engines series) and AD 2023-16-07 (applicable to certain PW1100G and PW1400G engine series) both required an angled ultrasonic inspection and potential replacement of both first and second-stage disks.
However, ‘since the FAA issued those two ADs, an investigation determined an increased risk of powder metal anomalies for all powder metal parts in certain powder metal production campaigns, which are susceptible to failure significantly earlier than previously determined,’ noted the US Transportation Department and FAA on 12 December 2023.
A new proposed AD would require performing an angled ultrasonic inspection of additional engine components (including the high-pressure compressor, and seventh and eighth stage integrally bladed rotors) as well as retaining existing inspection requirements. The proposed AD would also ‘require accelerated replacement’ of a variety of components including hubs, retaining plates and air seals.
The FAA consultation on the proposed AD will run until 11 January 2024.