AD 2022-10-04 Requires The Replacement Of The Affected Stages 7-9 Compressor Rotor Spool

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270, GP7272, and GP7277 model turbofan engines.

This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed certain stages 7-9 compressor rotor spools were manufactured from a billet of material suspected of having foreign material embedded. This AD requires the replacement of the affected stages 7-9 compressor rotor spool. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective May 23, 2022. 

Supplementary Information: The FAA was notified by the manufacturer of a powder metal material contamination discovered in a part manufactured from the same billet material used to manufacture the EA GP7270, GP7272, and GP7277 high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 8 rotor disk. Subsequent investigation by the manufacturer determined that the HPC stage 8 rotor disk, which is welded into the stages 7-9 compressor rotor spool, was manufactured from billets suspected of having foreign material embedded. The presence of foreign material in the billet may lead to crack formations and premature failure of the HPC stage 8 rotor disk. This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the HPC stage 8 rotor disk, uncontained release of the HPC stage 8 rotor disk, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMI: www.regulations.gov