Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW2000 series turbofan engines. This proposal would require initial and repetitive inspections of certain High Pressure Turbine (HPT) stage 1 and stage 2 disks utilizing an improved ultrasonic method when the disk is exposed during a shop visit, and if a subsurface anomaly is found, removal from service and replacement with a serviceable part. This proposal is prompted by the results of a stage 1 HPT disk fracture investigation, which has identified a population of HPT stage 1 and 2 disks that may have subsurface anomalies formed during a forging process. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent HPT disk fracture, which could result in an uncontained engine failure, and damage to the aircraft.