VIVAERO

American regulator determines the replacement of a part of the PW1100G-JM series engines that equip the Airbus A320neo

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the replacement of the rear hub of the high-pressure compressor of the PW1100G-JM series engines that equip the Airbus A320neo.

The measure was adopted after a Pratt & Whitney investigation revealed that maintenance, repair and overhaul shops were misinterpreting accepted coating wear limits published in a previous regulatory document.

The new Airworthiness Directive (AD) published by the FAA will come into force on November 1st, and is not related to the problem of contamination of metallic powder used to produce certain parts of the PW1100G engine.

"The manufacturer indicated that the intended limit for knife edge coating is no more than 25% loss of the top coating, but shops misinterpreted the limit as no more than 25% loss of the bond coating," says the FAA.

The problem in the high-pressure compressor of the high-performance system (HPC) can form cracks, resulting in the release of uncontained debris, causing possible damage to the engine and other aircraft structures, engine shutdown during flight and loss of control of the aircraft. plane.

The decision is expected to affect a small fraction of the global fleet of more than 1,300 A320neo family aircraft.

North American regulators estimate that no engine installed in the country will require the change, while Pratt & Whitney predicts that around 24 aircraft will need to have parts replaced.