AD 2008-02-17 Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF6-50, -80A1/A3, and -80C2A Series Turbofan Engines

This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-50, -80A1/A3, and -80C2A series turbofan engines. These engines are installed on Airbus A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done. Initial Inspection for CF6-50 Series Turbofan Engines (f) For CF6-50 series turbofan engines, perform initial thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of Middle River Aircraft Systems (MRAS) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. CF6-50 S/B 78A3001, Revision 4, dated August 30, 2007, as follows: (1) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Three Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and without thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) locks installed, perform the initial inspections and checks within 1,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD. (2) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Three Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and with TRAS locks installed, perform the initial inspections and checks within 7,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. (3) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Two Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and without TRAS locks installed, perform the initial inspections and checks within 1,500 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. (4) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Two Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and with TRAS locks installed, perform the initial inspections and checks within 7,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. Repetitive Inspections for CF6-50 Series Turbofan Engines (g) For CF6-50 series turbofan engines, perform repetitive thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of MRAS ASB No. CF6-50 S/B 78A3001, Revision 4, dated August 30, 2007, as follows: (1) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Three Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and without TRAS locks installed, perform repetitive inspections and checks at the following: (i) Within every 2,500 hours time-since-last-inspection (TSLI), perform paragraph 2.D., Translating Cowl Air Seal, Dagmar Fairing and Aft Frame Inspection; and paragraph 2.I., Fan Reverser Operational Check. (ii) Within every 6,000 hours TSLI, perform paragraph 2.C., Pneumatic Drive Motor (PDM) Disc Brake Holding Torque Check; paragraph 2.E., Feedback Rod to Yoke Alignment Check and Inspection of Feedback Yoke and Feedback Rod; paragraph 2.F., Translating Cowl Auto Re-Stow Function Check; and paragraph 2.I., Fan Reverser Operational Check. (2) Within every 7,000 hours TSLI on Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Three Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and with TRAS locks installed, perform repetitive inspections and checks. (3) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Two Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and without TRAS locks installed, perform repetitive inspections and checks at the following: (i) Within every 2,500 hours TSLI, perform paragraph 2.D., Translating Cowl Air Seal, Dagmar Fairing and Aft Frame Inspection; and paragraph 2.I., Fan Reverser Operational Check. (ii) Within every 6,000 hours TSLI, perform paragraph 2.C., Pneumatic Drive Motor (PDM) Disc Brake Holding Torque Check; paragraph 2.E., Feedback Rod to Yoke Alignment Check and Inspection of Feedback Yoke and Feedback Rod; paragraph 2.G., Translating Cowl Auto Re-Stow Function Check; paragraph 2.H., Over Pressure Shutoff Valve (OPSOV) Indication Check; and paragraph 2.I., Fan Reverser Operational Check. (4) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Two Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and with TRAS locks installed, perform repetitive inspections and checks within every 7,000 hours TSLI. Initial and Repetitive Inspections for CF6-80A1/A3 Series Turbofan Engines (h) For CF6-80A1/A3 series turbofan engines installed on Airbus A310-200 airplanes, perform initial and repetitive thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of MRAS ASB No. CF6-80A1/A3 S/B 78A1002, Revision 5, dated July 19, 2007, at the following: (1) For initial inspection, within 1,500 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. (2) For repetitive inspections, within every 7,000 hours TSLI. Initial Inspection for CF6-80C2A Series Turbofan Engines (i) For CF6-80C2A series turbofan engines, perform initial thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of MRAS ASB No. CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/A5/A8/A5F S/B 78A1015, Revision 7, dated August 30, 2007, at the following: (1) On Airbus A300-600 and A310 series airplanes with left-hand and right-hand reverser halves that do not have the double/backup P-seal introduced by MRAS SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1005, and that do not have locking actuator assemblies (LAAs) installed, within 600 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. (2) On Airbus A300-600 and A310 series airplanes with left-hand and right-hand reverser halves that have the double/backup P-seal introduced by MRAS SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1005, or that have LAAs installed, within 7,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. Directional Pilot Valve (DPV) Pressure Switch Check on Airbus Airplanes With CF6-80C2A5F Engines Is Not Applicable (3) The DPV pressure switch check per paragraph 2.F. is not applicable to Airbus airplanes with CF6-80C2A5F left-hand and right-hand fan reverser halves (model ES-CF6-5), because this check is performed through the full authority digital electronic control fault detection system. Repetitive Inspections for CF6-80C2A Series Turbofan Engines (j) For CF6-80C2A series turbofan engines, perform repetitive thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of MRAS ASB No. CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/A5/A8/A5F S/B 78A1015, Revision 7, dated August 30, 2007, at the following: (1) On Airbus A300-600 and A310 series airplanes with left-hand and right-hand reverser halves that do not have the double/backup P-seal, introduced by MRAS SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1005, and that do not have LAAs installed, within every 600 hours TSLI. (2) On Airbus A300-600 and A310 series airplanes with left-hand and right-hand reverser halves that have the double/backup P-seal, introduced by MRAS SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1005, or that have LAAs installed, within every 7,000 hours TSLI. Engines That Fail an Inspection or Check (k) On engines that fail an inspection or check required by this AD, perform corrective actions or deactivate the fan reverser per Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of the applicable MRAS ASB, before further flight. Previous Credit (l) Initial and repetitive inspections and checks of the thrust reverser actuation systems done before the effective date of this AD that use the following ASBs, comply with the requirements specified in this AD: (1) MRAS ASB No. CF6-50 S/B 78A3001, Revision 2, dated December 18, 1997; and MRAS ASB No. CF6-50 S/B 78A3001, Revision 3, dated May 3, 2006. (2) MRAS ASB No. CF6-80A1/A3 S/B 78A1002, Revision 3, dated January 21, 1999; and MRAS ASB No. CF6-80A1/A3 S/B 78A1002, Revision 4, dated May 3, 2006. (3) MRAS ASB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1015, Revision 5, dated January 21, 1999; and MRAS ASB No. CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/A5/A8/A5F S/B 78A1015, Revision 6, dated May 3, 2006. Alternative Methods of

This AD results from refined safety analyses performed on the thrust reverser systems by GE and Airbus. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent in-flight thrust reverser deployment, which can result in loss of control of the airplane.