AD 2022-13-12 Prompted By Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Nozzle To Fuel Manifold Coupling Nut Connections

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GE Passport 20-17BB1A, GE Passport 20-18BB1A, and GE Passport 20-19BB1A model turbofan engines.

This AD was prompted by fuel leakage from the fuel nozzle to fuel manifold coupling nut connections. This AD requires a visual inspection of the core compartment, a re-torque of the core compartment coupling nuts, a ground power assurance check, and a borescope inspection. Depending on the results of the inspections, this AD requires operators to perform applicable maintenance in accordance with their FAA-approved instructions for continued airworthiness. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective July 14, 2022. 

Supplementary Information: On March 31, 2022, and April 4, 2022, two Bombardier Inc. BD-700-2A12 airplanes (marketed as Global 7500 airplanes), powered by GE Passport P20-19BB1A and GE Passport P20-18BB1A model turbofan engines, respectively, experienced an engine fire during flight. The engine fire on the GE Passport P20-19BB1A resulted in a commanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) and air turnback (ATB). The engine fire on the GE Passport P20-18BB1A resulted in an ATB. A subsequent investigation by the manufacturer found evidence of fuel leakage on the lower outboard core panel, aft end of the bifi plate, ignition lead, and fuel manifold B-nut connections. The investigation also found that fuel nozzle to fuel manifold B-nut connections were under-torqued on both event engines and the fuel leak at the fuel nozzle B-nut connections likely caused the engine fires. As a result, the manufacturer published GE Service Bulletin (SB) PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0141-00A-930A-D, Issue No 000, dated April 12, 2022, and GE SB PASSPORT20-A-72-00-0142-00A-930A-D, Issue No 001, dated May 11, 2022. The service information specifies procedures for the performance of a visual inspection of the fuel nozzle zone in the core compartment for indications of fuel leakage, undetected fire, or heat distress, re-torque of the coupling nuts in the core compartment, a ground power assurance check, and a borescope inspection. This condition, if not addressed, could result in engine fire, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMI: www.regulations.gov