At Blackhawk Aerospace, our primary commitment is to your safety. It’s with this focus that we address the recent concerns surrounding the PT6A-67A engines, following an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by Transport Canada and the FAA. This directive has impacted some of our esteemed customers, and we want to provide clarity and guidance on the matter.
The Issue at Hand
Pratt & Whitney, the engine manufacturer, has issued a Category One Service Bulletin that brought to our attention a significant quality concern with a batch of PT2 blades. It has been identified that PT2 blades, produced using a specific raw material, may exhibit a higher risk of fracturing prematurely. This concern came to light following two incidents of PT2 blade fractures within Pratt’s engine test cell and a separate in-service event that resulted in an aborted takeoff. Notably, each incident involved PT2 blades with less than 25 hours of total operation time.
Given the severity of this issue, Transport Canada and the FAA promptly issued the AD to ensure immediate action is taken to mitigate any potential risk to flight safety.
Immediate Corrective Measures
In response to this directive, Blackhawk Aerospace has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety of our operators and their aircraft. Pratt & Whitney has recalled 9 PT6A-67A engines shipped to Blackhawk that are affected by the AD, following their Notice of Escape regarding the affected engines.
If you’re operating with PT6A-67A engines, here’s what you need to do:
- Inspect Engine Records: Review your engine’s service records to determine if the PT2 blades are within the identified serial number range at risk and have accumulated less than 50 hours of air time since new, since their last shop visit, or since any PT2 turbine repair.
- Immediate Action: If your PT2 blades are identified as potentially at risk, it is crucial to contact Pratt & Whitney immediately for removal and replacement instructions before your next flight.
It’s important to note that all PT2 blades are serialized, allowing for precise tracking of those affected by this quality concern. If you have not been contacted by us, your engines are not equipped with the PT2 blades implicated in this AD. However, for peace of mind and verification, you may access the Pratt S.B. (A14574) document that lists the serial numbers of the suspect blades (Table 1) for your reference.
Our Commitment to You
Blackhawk Aerospace remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and reliability for our customers. We understand the importance of clear communication and transparency in these situations and are dedicated to providing the necessary support to address any concerns.
For those affected, rest assured that corrective actions are well underway. Our team, in coordination with Pratt & Whitney, is working diligently to rectify this issue promptly and efficiently, minimizing any disruption to your operations.
Safety is our utmost priority, and we appreciate your trust and cooperation as we navigate this challenge together. For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
For additional information and updates, please click here to view the Pratt S.B. (A14574).
