Engine Fuel Distribution CFM56-5B LPTACC Fuel Manifold

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FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SAIB: NE-12-29 SUBJ: Engine Fuel Distribution – CFM56-5B LPTACC Fuel Manifold Date: April 27, 2012 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts, owners, operators, and certificated repair facilities of all CFM International CFM56-5B turbofan engines that Low Pressure Turbine Active Clearance Control (LPTACC) fuel manifolds have experienced high cycle fatigue failure due to unbalanced loading caused by foreign object damage (FOD) or bird ingestion. This failure causes a fuel leak within an engine fire zone where fire detection and extinguishing systems are installed.

These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Airbus Industries A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background

There have been 13 reported cases of LPTACC fuel manifold failures on CFM56-5B engines related to FOD or bird ingestion events. One case was coupled with a PS3 line failure that provided an ignition source which resulted in a controlled engine fire. In response, CFM International designed a more robust manifold that can withstand greater imbalance loads and significantly reduces the likelihood of failure. This new design was implemented in production engines at serial number 69V217 (Letter V in engine serial numbers refers to engine range 698/699). CFM International has issued CFM56-5B Service Bulletin 72-0696, revision 1, dated February 25, 2011, recommending replacement of the old LPTACC Fuel Manifold with the new one.

Although both the likelihood and non-hazardous consequence of further events do not warrant mandatory action, the FAA recommends that this modification be prioritized for incorporation, as it will minimize the risk of a fuel leakage following exposure of the engine to extremely high levels of vibration.

Recommendations

To prevent LPTACC fuel manifold failures, we recommend replacing LPTACC Fuel Manifold 336- 401-402-0 with LPTACC Fuel Manifold 336-401-403-0 per CFM56-5B Service Bulletin 72-0696, revision 1 at your earliest convenience but before the end of 2015.

For Further Information Contact

Martin Adler, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7157; fax: (781) 238-7199; e-mail: [email protected]

2 For Related Service Information Contact

CFM International, Inc., Aviation Operations Center, One Neumann Way, M/D Room 285, Cincinnati, Ohio 45125; International Phone 1-513-552-3272; USA Phone: 877-432-3272; International Fax: 1-513-552-3329; USA Fax: 877-432-3329; email: [email protected]; or CFM International SA, Customer Support Center, International Phone: 33 1 64 14 88 66; Fax: 33 1 64 79 85 55; email: [email protected].