FAA to GE: Fix Those Turbine Seals or Else
Published Date: 4/25/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating safety rules for certain General Electric CF34 engines to fix a problem with turbine seals that could cause trouble. Now, more engine models are included, so more operators need to check and possibly fix their engines. Comments are open until June 9, 2025, and these changes might mean extra work and costs for those affected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory fluorescent inspections at rotor exposure
At the next exposure of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor assembly after the AD's effective date and at each subsequent exposure, operators must perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the HPT front rotating air seal per GE CF34-10E Service Bulletin 72-0341 R02. An "exposure of the HPT rotor assembly" is defined as when the HPT rotor assembly is removed from the core module assembly.
Immediate replacement required for certain findings
If an FPI finds any indication greater than 0.015 in. (0.38 mm) or any linear indication, the HPT front rotating air seal must be removed and replaced before further flight. If an indication extends beyond the rabbet diameter M (per the service bulletin figures), the HPT rotor disk must be removed and replaced before further flight.
Buy upgraded seal to stop inspections
Replacing the HPT front rotating air seal with part number 2929M57P01 is an optional terminating action that ends the AD's inspection requirements for that engine.
Applicability expanded to two more CF34 models
The proposed rule now applies to GE CF34-10E5 and CF34-10E5A1 engines in addition to the previously listed CF34-10E2A1, CF34-10E6, CF34-10E6A1, CF34-10E7, and CF34-10E7-B models when they have an HPT front rotating air seal with P/N 1865M49P04, 2448M30P02, or 2448M30P03. The FAA estimates the AD would affect 228 engines on U.S.-registered airplanes.
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