4 1/2 Bearing Spacer

Category - Engine
Effective Date - 01/21/1992
Recurring - Yes
Supersedes - N/A
Superseded by - N/A
Amendment No. 39-8101.
Docket No. 91-ANE-44.

Applicability:
Pratt and Whitney (PW) JT8D-1 -lA, -lB, -5, -7, -7A, -7B,-9, -9A, -11, -15, -15A, -17, -17A, -17R, -17AR, -209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 turbofan engines installed on but not limited to Boeing 727 and 737 series aircraft, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 series and MD-80 series aircraft.

Compliance:
Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished. To prevent No. 4-1/2 bearing failure, uncontained engine failure, inflight shutdown, or possible aircraft damage accomplish the following:
(a) Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD, conduct a search and review of the following:
(1) Purchasing records for the No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer, P/N 525961, to identify the purchase source.
(2) Engine maintenance records to determine if the No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer, P/N 525961, was installed by PW in a new or overhauled JT8D engine.
(b) If the records indicate that the No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer, P/N 525961, was purchased directly from PW customer parts support or the spacer was installed by PW in a new or overhauled JT8D engine, no further action is required.
(c) If the records indicate that the No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer, P/N 525961, was not obtained directly from PW customer parts support, or was not installed by PW, or if the purchase source is unknown, accomplish the following:
(1) For No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacers, P/N 525961, not installed in JT8D engines, perform the following one-time inspection prior to installationin an engine or within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(i) Visually inspect to confirm the presence of hardface on the spacer. An approved No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer will have hardface which exhibits a shiny machined appearance. An unapproved spacer does not have hardface.
(ii) Visually inspect to confirm that the spacer is a silver color. The unapproved spacer is manufactured from a different material and has a bronze color.
(iii) Determine the material hardness of the No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer in accordance with industry standard practices on a non-hardfaced and non-plated surface of the spacer, such as the bore inner diameter. Acceptable material hardness is Rockwell C32 to C38, or its equivalent.
(iv) A No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer, P/N 525961, that does not satisfy all three of the above inspections is considered unairworthy and shall not be placed in service. NOTE: Data pertaining to the location of the hardface and plated surfaces are contained in Section 72-53-37, of PW Engine Manual, P/N 481672 for JT8D-1 thru -17AR series engines, and PW Engine Manual, P/N 773128 for JT8D-200 series engines.

(2) For engines that are not installed on aircraft, and that have a No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer, P/N 525961, with less than 600 hours total time in service on the effective date of this AD, disassemble the engine sufficiently to perform a one time inspection in accordance with the inspection requirements of paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this AD, prior to returning the engine to service.
(i) A spacer that does not satisfy all the inspection criteria is considered unairworthy and shall not be returned to service.
(ii) A spacer that has been inspected in accordance with the criteria listed in paragraph (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this AD, and has satisfied that criteria, does not require a reinspection.
(3) For engines that are installed on aircraft and that contain a No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer, P/N 525961, with less than 600 hours time in service on the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following:
(i) Perform an oil system breather check on the engine within 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD in accordance with PW JT8D Maintenance Manual, Section 72-00-00, Troubleshooting-02, pages 120, 121, and 122, dated August 1, 1991, and pages 123, 124, 135, and 136, dated May 15, 1990, or PW JT8D Maintenance Manual, Section 72-00, Engine Trouble shooting, page 117 dated May 1, 1990, and pages 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, and 124, dated September 1, 1986, as applicable.
(ii) Thereafter, repeat the oil system breather check required by paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this AD at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service since the last check until the No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer has accumulated 600 hours total time in service. Engine breather checks are not required when time in service on the seal spacer is greater than or equal to 100 hours.
(iii) Remove engines from service if the check indicates high breather pressure as defined in the applicable Sections of PW JT8D Maintenance Manual referenced in Paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this AD. (iv) At the next shop visit after the effective date of this AD, when the engine is disassembled sufficiently to gain access to the affected spacer, perform a one time inspection in accordance with the inspection requirements of paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this AD, but no later than January 31, 1999.
Performance of the one time inspection constitutes terminating action for the breather check requirements of paragraph (c)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(A) A spacer that does not satisfy all the inspection criteria is considered unairworthy and must not be returned to service.
(B) A spacer that has been inspected in accordance with the criteria listed in paragraph (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this AD, and has satisfied that criteria, does not require a reinspection.

NOTE: Applicable maintenance manuals are JT8D Maintenance Manual, P/N 481671 for JT8D-1 thru -17AR series engines, and JT8D Maintenance Manual,P/N 773127 for JT8D-200 series engines. (4) For engines (uninstalled or installed) containing a No. 4-1/2 bearing seal spacer, P/N 525961, having greater or equal to 600 hours total time in service on the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time inspection in accordance with the inspection requirements of paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this AD, at the next shop visit when the engine is disassembled sufficiently to gain access to the affected spacer, but no later than January 31, 1999 .
(i) A spacer that does not satisfy all the inspection criteria is considered unairworthy and must not be returned to service.
(ii) A spacer that has been inspected in accordance with the criteria of paragraph (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this AD, and has satisfied that criteria, does not require a reinspection.
(d) Within 30 days after the inspection requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this AD have been accomplished, report the following information, if an unapproved spacer has been found:
(1) Inspection results, (2) Time in Service of the spacer, and (3) Source of purchase of the spacer. This information is to be forwarded to the Manager, Engine Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-5299. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-511) and have been assigned OMB Control No. 2120-0056.
(e) Aircraft may be ferried in accordance with the provisions of FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to a base where this AD can be accomplished.
(f) Upon submission of substantiating data by an owner or operator through an FAA Inspector (maintenance, avionics, or operations, as appropriate), an alternative method of compliance with the requirements of this AD or adjustments to the compliance times specified in this AD may be approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-5299.
(g) The oil system breather checks shall be done in accordance with the following Sections of Pratt and Whitney JT8D Maintenance Manuals:
Document Number Page Number Date
72-00-00 120, 121, 122 8/1/91
123, 124, 135, 136 5/15/90
Total Pages:7

72-00 117 5/1/90
118, 119, 120, 121, 9/1/86
122, 123, 124
Total Pages: 8

The incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from Pratt and Whitney, Publications Department,P. O. Box 611, Middletown, Connecticut 06457. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Room 311, Burlington, Massachusetts, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street, NW, Room 8401, Washington, D.C. This amendment (39-8101, AD 91-24-14) becomes effective on January 21, 1992.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John E. Golinski, Engine Certification Office, ANE-140, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-5299, (617) 273-7121.