Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney JT8D Series Turbofan Engines

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D series turbofan engines. This action requires a one-time borescope inspection of the combustion chamber outer case (CCOC) for cracks on engines identified by serial number that were ultrasonically inspected in accordance with AD 96-23- 14 with defective probes. In addition, this AD requires an ultrasonic probe functional check at PW prior to using the probe to perform an ultrasonic inspection if the probe was overhauled, repaired, or otherwise altered since original manufacture and not subsequently functionally checked by PW. This amendment is prompted by reports of defective probes discovered in the field. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent uncontained engine failure, inflight engine shutdown, engine cowl release, and airframe damage.