Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric (GE) CF6-45/-50 series and CF6-80A series turbofan engines with certain part number (P/N) side links of the five-link forward mount assembly installed. That AD currently requires an initial and repetitive visual inspection of the side links for cracks, and stripping and reapplying the Sermetel W coating on the side link at every exposure of the side link. That AD also requires replacing the side links and pylon attachment bolts, and inspecting the fail-safe bolt and platform lug if the side links are cracked. This proposed AD would continue to require those same inspections and stripping and reapplying the Sermetel W coating, and would add two part numbers to the applicability. This proposed AD results from a review of the inspection program, which revealed that GE had omitted two affected part numbers from the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the side linksand possible engine separation from the airplane.