FAA Proposes Corrosion Fix for GE CF34 Jet Engines
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly planes with certain General Electric CF34 engines, heads up! The FAA wants to update the engine’s computer software because some engines showed warning messages caused by corrosion. This fix will keep flights safer and must be done soon, with comments on the plan due by January 2, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Memory Upgrade for 70 Engines
The FAA estimates 70 affected engines will also require an additional EEC FADEC memory upgrade from a three-sector to a seven-sector configuration. That upgrade is estimated at $49,680 per engine (labor $680 + parts $49,000), for a total U.S. operator cost of $3,477,600.
Prevents Engine Idle Lock Hazard
This proposed AD is meant to stop certain FADEC software versions from automatically reducing an engine to idle and locking the throttle until restart. The FAA says failing to address this could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of engine thrust control, and reduced control of the airplane.
Mandatory FADEC Software Upgrade
If you operate airplanes with the listed GE CF34 engines, you must replace certain EEC FADEC software versions within 12 months after the effective date of this AD. For Group 1 engines replace any software version V6.50 or earlier with V6.60 or later; for Group 2 engines replace any software version V5.60 or earlier with V5.70 or later. The FAA estimates this AD would affect 3,040 engines on U.S. registry and the basic remove-and-install cost is $1,340 per engine (labor $680 + parts $660), for a U.S. operator total of $4,073,600.
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Key Dates
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