Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney PW2000 Series Turbofan Engines

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Pratt & Whitney PW2000 series turbofan engines. This action revises telegraphic AD T97-11-51 that currently supersedes AD 97-09-01 by correcting errors in the Serial Number (S/N) tables, and removing the McDonnell Douglas C-17 aircraft from the applicability section, as a different model engine is installed on McDonnell Douglas C-17 aircraft. In addition, that telegraphic AD clarifies that inspections must be performed prior to rework, and clarifies that new parts do not need to be reworked prior to installation, but must be reworked at the next shop visit. Finally, that telegraphic AD makes minor editorial changes for clarity without changing meaning or intent. This action relaxes the compliance intervals for rework and provides relieving requirements. This amendment is prompted by industry input and resulting changes by the manufacturer to the inspection program that would provide relief to operators while maintaining an equivalent level of safety. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fracture of the first stage high pressure turbine (HPT) disk, resulting in a possible uncontained engine failure and damage to the aircraft.