Distortion of the combustor liner assembly is evident when you observe which of the following conditions?

Correct Answer: Option C — The inner liner lifts up into the flow path, and the outer liner bends down into the flow path.

Thermal expansion and pressure differentials within the combustor cause the inner liner to expand outward toward the flow path, while the outer liner, constrained differently by the casing, bows inward. This distortion pattern is a classic indicator of thermal stress and improper cooling airflow distribution within the combustor.