AD NUMBER: 2019-21-11

PRODUCT: Certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1525G, PW1521G-3, PW1524G3, PW1525G-3, PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A model turbofan engines.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-19-11 for the products listed above.

AD 2019-19-11 required initial and repetitive inspections of the low-pressure compressor (LPC) inlet guide vane (IGV) and the LPC rotor 1 (R1) and, depending on the results of the inspections, possible replacement of the LPC.

This AD requires the same inspection of the LPC R1 for cracks or damage, removes the inspection of the LPC IGV for proper alignment, and expands the applicability to certain additional PW turbofan engines.

This AD also reduces the compliance time for these inspections for certain PW turbofan engines.

This AD was prompted by recent findings of cracks in the LPC R1 and an additional in-flight failure of the LPC R1.

DATES: This AD is effective October 29, 2019. The FAA must receive any comments on this AD by December 13, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 18 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

• Borescope inspection per inspection cycle: 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 per engine.

On-Condition costs:

• Replace LPC: Labor: 40 work-hours × $85 per hour = $3,400 per engine. Parts: $156,000, Cost per engine: $159,400.

FMI: AD