Following several uncontained Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engine failures during the past 18 months, the US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) and a revised AD covering the early engine series from the JT8D-1 to the JT8D-17R. Meanwhile, a revised AD has been issued concerning inspection of the -200 series' temperature indicators following high-pressure-turbine shaft cracking which has led to turbine failure. The new AD requires regular fluorescent-penetrant and eddy-current inspections to guard against fourth-stage low-pressure turbine-blade-release caused by hub-cracking, says the directive.
Source: Flight International
