AD/CF6/72 Long Fixed Core Exhaust Nozzles (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

General Electric Turbine Engines - CF6 Series

AD/CF6/72 Long Fixed Core Exhaust Nozzles 5/2009

Applicability:

General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45A, CF6-45A2, CF6-50A, CF6-50C,
CF6-50CA, CF6-50C1, CF6-50C2, CF6-50C2B, CF6-50C2D, CF6-50E, CF6-50E1, CF6-50E2, and CF6-50E2B series turbofan engines with a long fixed core exhaust nozzle (LFCEN) assembly forward centrebody, part number (P/N) 1313M55G01 or G02, P/N 9076M28G09 or G10, and aft centrebody P/N 1313M56G01 or 9076M46G05, installed.

Note 1:  These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300 series, Boeing 747 series, McDonnell Douglas DC-10 series, and DC-10-30F(KDC-10) airplanes.

Requirement:

Replace the forward centrebody, P/N 1313M55G01 or G02, P/N 9076M28G09 or G10, and aft centrebody, P/N 1313M56G01 or 9076M46G05 with a forward and aft centrebody that have been modified using with the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3, of GE Service Bulletin No. CF6-50 S/B 78-0244, Revision 1, dated
13 March 2006, CF6-50 S/B 78-0244, dated 30 July 2007, or CF6-50 S/B 78-0242, dated 26 September 2005.

Note 2:  FAA AD 2009-04-17 Amdt 39-15823 dated 12 February 2009 refers.

Compliance:

Within 42 months after the effective date of this AD, unless the actions have already been done.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 May 2009.

Background:

This AD results from reports of separation of LFCEN assembly forward and aft centrebodies due to high imbalance engine conditions.  This AD results from the GE issuing new service information.  The issuing of this AD is intended to prevent the forward and aft centrebody of the LFCEN assembly from separating due to high imbalance engine conditions, leading to damage to the airplane.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

27 March 2009