Southwest sends engine fan blades to GE for further inspection

Southwest said it has sent some aircraft-engine fan blades to the manufacturer for inspection, though the carrier’s own review found no faults like the one that caused a blade to crack in flight, leading to a passenger’s death last month. The carrier completed inspection on 35,500 blades, CEO Gary Kelly said at the airline’s annual meeting Wednesday in Annapolis, Maryland. “The findings have been zero, which is obviously good news.” However, “several dozen” blades were sent to General Electric for additional examination, he said. The destruction of the flight’s CFM56-7B engine has global implications since the model, built by a joint venture of GE and France’s Safran, is one of the world’s most popular. Before such power plants get approval from aviation regulators, manufacturers must demonstrate that failed blades won’t trigger extensive damage if they break loose. Kelly said he didn’t expect that GE’s examination will turn up problems. “GE’s inspection protocol will identify a crack before it gets to the failure stage,” he said. While the airline uses ultrasonic tests to detect cracks, GE can conduct electromagnetic reviews.<br/>