Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Models CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/A5/A5F/A8/D1F Turbofan Engines

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to General Electric Company (GE) Models CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/ A5/A5F/A8/D1F turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of left hand and right hand aft engine mount link assemblies for separations, cracks and spherical bearing race migration. Cracked or separated parts must be replaced prior to further flight. If spherical bearing race migration is discovered, an additional borescope inspection for cracks is also required. If no cracks are discovered by the additional borescope inspection, assemblies have a 75-cycle grace period for remaining in service before replacement. Finally, installation of improved aft engine mount link assemblies constitutes terminating action to the inspections of this AD. This amendment is prompted by a report of a fractured left hand aft engine mount link discovered during a scheduled removal of an engine of similar design. The actions specified by the AD are intended to prevent aft engine mount link failure, which can result in adverse redistribution of the aft engine mount loads and possible aft engine mount system failure.