Southwest has checked 35.000 blades

After the second violent Explosion Southwest Airlines has accelerated the inspection of their engines. Now the results are in.

For Southwest Airlines it is a sad Premiere. For the first Time in the history of the company came in an incident a passenger to death. The American low-cost airline accelerated after the fatal engine explosion of 17. April, therefore, the Review of the entire fleet.

The inspection of the engines was started in August of 2016. At that time, there had been a violent engine explosion that had holes punched in the fuselage of a Boeing 737. No passengers were in contrast to now to damage. Also, since a broken blade was the blade of the fan shutter of the incident.

Problem part had not yet been inspected

After the first incident, the airline began as early as ultrasonic and eddy-current-to carry out inspections, to be able to additional material fatigue to recognize. In the case of a fleet of 700 aircraft, something needs to however, for a while. And just so the Defect was not detected at the second blade.

The broken blade was one that has not yet been reviewed. It would have come in the course of 2018. But now Southwest Airlines has increased the pace and all engines are carefully inspected. A total of 35,000 shovel leaves were put under the microscope. From the technicians, no further problem was found in parts.

Up to 30 parts sent back

At 20 to 30 blades to the technicians but they were not sure. They showed deviations in the coating. Southwest but points out that it is also normal Verrschleisserscheinungen. You went on the safe side and sent the parts to the engine manufacturer CFM, which will analyze in more detail.

Posted by John at .