SAIB NE-04-44

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN

Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

No. NE-04-44 January 14, 2004 We post SAIBs on the internet at "av-info.faa.gov" This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts you, owners, operators, and repair facilities of Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D series turbofan engines and Principal Maintenance Inspectors in FAA's FSDOs of the importance of proper maintenance of precision bearings. An inflight shutdown and engine fire can potentially occur if the bearings are not properly maintained.

Background

We have received numerous service difficulty reports regarding problems with failed JT9D bearings, especially the #3 bearing assembly. The most notable of these failures occurred when a Boeing 747 experienced an engine fire during a cargo flight. Heat generated by a #3 bearing failure ignited oil on the main gearbox housing. Also, there were several #3 bearings that failed soon after being serviced at a repair shop that didn’t use PW repair procedures. We are also aware of failed bearings as a result of airlines exceeding PW suggested maintenance intervals. PW has established bearing maintenance intervals through data, analysis, and service experience.

Recommendations

We highly recommend that you follow Pratt & Whitney’s maintenance recommendations for JT9D precision parts, especially bearings. Their recommendations could prevent potential safety issues, such as engine fires, as well as costly failures.

For Further Information, Contact

Keith Lardie, FAA Engine and Propeller Directorate, Engine Certification Office, ANE-142, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; phone: (781) 238-7189; email:

Keith.Lardie@faa.gov

Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108.

• Customer Service: Mark Clark, phone: (860)565-4965; fax: (860)755-4934

• DER: Darrell Perry, phone (860)565-8777