Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45/-50 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires an initial and repetitive on-wing visual inspection of the side links of the five-link forward mount assembly for cracks, and replacement of the side links and pylon attachment bolts and inspection of the fail-safe bolt and platform lug if the side links are cracked. That AD also requires a shop-level refurbishment of the side links as a terminating action to the on-wing inspection program. This proposed AD would require inspecting and refurbishing the side link at every exposure of the side link. This proposed AD would also require the same actions on certain part number side links installed on CF6-80A turbofan engines. This proposed AD results from a report of a cracked side link. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the side links and possible engine separation from the airplane.