Accelerates Timeline For Initial Inspections

The FAA is mandating an accelerated timeline for the inspection of CFM56 engines of the type that suffered an uncontained engine failure on a Southwest Airlines 737. That incident led to the rapid decompression of the airplane, and the fatal injury of one of the passengers who was partially pulled out of a window of the aircraft.

According to the AD 2018-10-11, the FAA is revising the compliance time for the initial inspections of certain higher-risk fan blades mandated by AD 2018-09-10. This AD was prompted by a recent engine failure due to a fractured fan blade that resulted in the engine inlet cowl disintegrating and debris penetrating the fuselage, causing a loss of pressurization, and prompting an emergency descent.

Since AD 2018-09-10 was issued, an investigation of this event has determined new methods for identifying applicable parts as well as the need to reduce the compliance time for certain fan blades. Therefore, this AD requires inspection of higher risk fan blades, identified using one of the methods in CFM Service Bulletin (SB) CFM56-7B S/B 72-1033, Revision 01, dated May 9, 2018, within 30 days from the effective date of the AD.

The remaining fan blades must be inspected within 90 days from the effective date of the AD or prior to accumulating 20,000 flight cycles.

The AD affects an estimated 3,716 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The cost of compliance is estimated to be $170 per engine for two hours labor at $85 per hour. If repairs are required, the cost is estimated to be $8,500 per engine for parts and labor.

(Image from file)

FMI: AD