Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to General Electric Company (GE) Models CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/A5/A5F/A8/D1F turbofan engines. This proposal would require initial and repetitive visual inspections of left hand and right hand aft engine mount link assemblies for separations, cracks and spherical bearing race migration. Cracked or separated parts must be replaced prior to further flight. If spherical bearing race migration is discovered, an additional borescope inspection for cracks is also proposed. If no cracks are discovered in the additional borescope inspection, assemblies have a 75-cycle grace period for remaining in service before replacement. Finally, installation of improved aft engine mount link assemblies constitutes terminating action to the inspections of this AD. This proposal is prompted by a report of a fractured left-hand aft engine mount link discovered during a scheduled removal of an engine of similar design. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent aft engine mount link failure, which can result in adverse redistribution of the aft engine mount loads and possible aft engine mount system failure.