The US FAA has issued a final airworthiness directive (AD) calling for checks of the aft left and right engine mount support fittings on MD-90-30 aircraft after receiving reports of "loose, cracked or missing fasteners" on "several" aircraft.
The agency says the faulty conditions, found on MD-90s that had accumulated between 18.767 and 25,400 total flight hours and between 15,841 and 27,000 flight cycles, could ultimately lead to separation of the support fitting from the pylon, which could then result in separation of the engine from the airplane.
According to Flight's ACAS database, there are 15 US-registered MD-90-30s, all belonging to Delta Air Lines.
Inspections, which must be carried out within 703 flight cycles after 24 September effective date of the AD, include visual assessment of the fasteners, a gap check for certain washers and fasteners and a torque test of fastener nuts, solutions called out in a 1 August service bulletin issued by Boeing.
The FAA says the AD is to be a considered an interim "until a final action is identified." Delta was not immediately available for comment.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
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