The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a new airworthiness directive covering a wide range of Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines, including the PW1500G and PW1900G engine families that power the Airbus A220 and the Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 regional jets. The proposal, published September 17, 2026, follows six reported instances of clashing found on either the second-stage or third-stage rotor of the engine's high-pressure compressor, caused by contact with the compressor's variable stator vanes.
Under the proposed rule, operators of affected engines would be required to carry out initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the high-pressure compressor's first, second, and third-stage rotor rear rim surfaces, checking for wear, scratching, or vane contact. Depending on inspection findings, engines could require removal from service and part replacement. The FAA also proposes requiring replacement of the compressor's variable stator vane bushing set as a terminating action to the repetitive inspection cycle.
The agency says it is proposing the directive to address an unsafe condition identified through Pratt & Whitney's own reporting to regulators. Because the affected engine families power aircraft flown by numerous U.S. regional and mainline carriers, the proposed inspection burden could touch a significant share of the domestic fleet if finalized. The FAA is accepting public comments on the proposal, filed under Docket No. FAA-2026-8816, through October 19, 2026, before issuing a final rule.
Source: Federal Register - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/17/2026-19094/airworthiness-directives-pratt-and-whitney-engines