EASA AD No.

: 2018-0071

Airworthiness Directive
AD No.: 2018-0071
Issued: 26 March 2018
Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation
(EC) 216/2008 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third
countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the
continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which
an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I,
Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [Regulation (EC) 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):

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CFM INTERNATIONAL S.A. CFM56-7B engines

Effective Date: 02 April 2018

TCDS Number(s): EASA.E.004
Foreign AD:
Supersedure:
Not applicable
None
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ATA 72 – Engine – Fan Blades – Inspection
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Manufacturer(s):
SAFRAN Aircraft Engines, formerly SNECMA (France); General Electric Aircraft Engines (United
States)
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Applicability:
CFM56-7B20, CFM56-7B22, CFM56-7B22/B1, CFM56-7B24, CFM56-7B24/B1, CFM56-7B26,
CFM56-7B26/B1, CFM56-7B26/B2, CFM56-7B27, CFM56-7B27/B1, CFM56-7B27/B3, CFM56-7B20/2,
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CFM56-7B22/2, CFM56-7B24/2, CFM56-7B26/2, CFM56-7B27/2, CFM56-7B20/3, CFM56-7B22/3,

CFM56-7B22/3B1, CFM56-7B24/3, CFM56-7B24/3B1, CFM56-7B26/3, CFM56-7B26/3B1,
CFM56-7B26/3B2, CFM56-7B27/3, CFM56-7B27/3B1, CFM56-7B27/3B1F, CFM56-7B27/3B3,
CFM56-7B26/3F, CFM56-7B26/3B2F, CFM56-7B27/3F, CFM56-7B20E, CFM56-7B22E,
CFM56-7B22E/B1, CFM56-7B24E, CFM56-7B24E/B1, CFM56-7B26E, CFM56-7B26E/B1,
CFM56-7B26E/B2, CFM56-7B27E, CFM56-7B27E/B1, CFM56-7B27E/B3, CFM56-7B26E/F,
CFM56-7B26E/B2F, CFM56-7B27E/F and CFM56-7B27E/B1F engines, all serial numbers.

These engines are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 737-600, 737-700, 737-800
and 737-900 aeroplanes.

Definitions:
For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:

The SB: CFM International CFM56-7B Service Bulletin (SB) No. 72-1024.

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 EASA AD No.: 2018-0071

Affected fan blade: a fan blade having Part Number (P/N) 340-001-022-0, P/N 340-001-027-0,
P/N 340-001-029-0, P/N 340-001-037-0 or P/N 340-001-039-0.

Serviceable fan blade: a not affected fan blade; or an affected fan blade which is new, or which
passed an inspection in accordance with the instructions of the SB, or of CFM56-7B SB No. 72-1019,
or an eddy current inspection (ECI) in accordance with CFM International Engine Shop Manual
(ESM) task 72-21-01-200-001 Revision 55 or later.

Reason:
An occurrence was reported of fan blade failure on a CFM56-7B engine. The released fan blade was
initially contained by the engine case, but there was subsequent uncontained forward release of
debris and separation of the inlet cowl. Preliminary investigation determined that the fracture in
the blade initiated from the fan blade dovetail.

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This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to fan blade failure, possibly resulting in
uncontained forward release of debris, with consequent damage to the engine and the aeroplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, CFM International issued CFM56-7B SB No. 72-1019,
later revised, and CFM56-7B SB No. 72-1024, providing inspection instructions.

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For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of certain fan blades, and,
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depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

This AD is considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

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Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Inspection:
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(1) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish an ultrasonic inspection of each
affected fan blade in accordance with the instructions of the SB.

Corrective Action(s):
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(2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy is detected on
a fan blade, before next flight, or before release to service of the engine, as applicable, replace
that fan blade with a serviceable part in accordance with the instructions of the SB.

Credit:
(3) Accomplishment of ECI of a fan blade of an engine in accordance with CFM International ESM
task 72-21-01-200-001 Revision 55 or later is acceptable to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (1) of this AD, as applicable, for that fan blade.

(4) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished on an engine in accordance with the
instructions of CFM56-7B SB No. 72-1019 are acceptable to comply with the requirements of
paragraphs (1) and (2) of this AD for that engine.

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 EASA AD No.: 2018-0071

Part installation:
(5) From the effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install a fan blade on an engine, provided it is
serviceable.

Ref. Publications:
CFM International S.A. CFM56-7B SB No. 72-1019 original issue dated 24 March 2017, or Revision 01
dated 13 June 2017.

CFM International S.A. CFM56-7B SB No. 72-1024 original issue dated 26 July 2017.

The use of later approved revisions of the above mentioned documents is acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks:

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1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 29 September 2017 as PAD 17-132 for consultation until 27 October
2017, and republished on 05 March 2018 for additional consultation until 19 March 2018. The

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Comment Response Document can be found in the EASA Safety Publications Tool, in the
compressed (zipped) file attached to the record for this AD.
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3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
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contact:

CFM SA Customer Support Centre, Telephone: +33 1 64 14 88 66, Fax: +33 1 64 79 85 55

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E-mail: cfm.csc@safrangroup.com.
or
CFM Inc. Aviation Operations Centre, Telephone: +1 513-552-3272, or +1 877-432-3272,
Fax: +1 877-432-3329, E-mail: geae.aoc@ge.com, or aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com.
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TE.CAP.00110-006 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Page 3 of 3
Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
An agency of the European Union