AD NUMBER: 2019-02-04

PRODUCT: Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270, GP7272, and GP7277 turbofan engines with a certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) case installed.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-22-05, which applied to the products listed above.

AD 2018-22-05 required removal of affected HPT stator cases (HPT cases) from service and their replacement with a part eligible for installation.

This AD retains these requirements, reduces the compliance times for the removal and replacement of certain HPT cases, and identifies additional affected parts that must be removed and replaced.

This AD was prompted by the discovery of a quality escape at a manufacturing facility involving unapproved welds on HPT cases. Subsequent additional findings suggested the need for an updated risk analysis, resulting in reduced compliance times for those parts and the identification of additional affected parts.

DATES: This AD is effective February 25, 2019. Comments must be received by March 25, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates  that this AD affects 0 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

• HPT case replacement: 20 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,700. Parts: $339,400. Cost per airplane: $341,100

FMI: AD