Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 series turbofan engines. This proposal would require, for front compressor front hubs (fan hubs), cleaning; initial and repetitive eddy current (ECI) and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) of tierod and counterweight holes for cracks; removal of bushings; the cleaning and ECI and FPI of bushed holes for cracks; and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. In addition, this proposal would require reporting findings of cracked fan hubs. This proposal is prompted by a report of an uncontained failure of a fan hub. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent fan hub failure due to tierod, counterweight, or bushed hole cracking, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the aircraft.