Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF6-80C2 Series Turbofan Engines

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2 series turbofan engines with certain thrust reverser ballscrew gearbox assembly adjustable-length end actuators installed. This AD requires initial visual inspections and repetitive replacements of the \3/8\-inch rod-ends installed on the thrust reverser ballscrew gearbox assembly adjustable-length end actuators. This AD also allows an optional terminating action to those repetitive replacements. This AD also requires initial visual inspections and replacements, if necessary, of the other hardware connecting the thrust reverser transcowls to the engine. This AD results from reports of four failures of rod-ends on certain thrust reverser ballscrew gearbox assembly adjustable-length end actuators, leading to partial or complete separation of the transcowl from the engine and airplane during thrust reversal. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of asymmetric thrust and thrust control.

Agency Contact: Christopher J. Richards, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e- mail: christopher.j.richards@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7133; fax (781) 238-7199.