Service difficulty report · Gas Generator

Difficulty date
June 20, 2003
Submitted
July 14, 2003
Operation
General aviation
Engine
Pwa JT15D4
Part
Gas Generator
Condition
Cracked
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

(CAN) COMPLETE ENG OVERHAUL. AT DISASSEMBLY DISCOVERED THAT IMPELLER HAD THREE VANES WITH SECTIONS OF INDUCER DAMAGED. IT APPEARS THAT 3 PORTIONS OF LIBERATED MATERIAL FROM IMPELLER WERE RESULT OF IMPELLER FAILURE, PROBABLY DUE TO FATIGUE RESULTING FROM BLADE VIBRATION INDUCED STRESSES. MATERIAL WAS LIBERATED FROM IMPELLER ENTERED INTO THE COMBUSTION SECTION OF ENGINE THROUGH THE DIFFUSER TUBES OF THE GAS GENERATOR. REMAINS OF TWO OF THREE LIBERATED PIECES WERE TRAPPED BETWEEN SMALL EXIT DUCT & COMBUSTION LINER. ONE LIBERATED PIECE, APPEARS TO HAVE ENTERED THROUGH COMBUSTION LINER & INTO GAS PATH. HP TURBINE INGESTED IMPELLER MATERIAL CAUSING HEAVY DAMAGE TO HP TURBINE BLADES.