FAA: Engine Alliance A380 operators face more stringent inspections

Some operators of Engine Alliance GP7000-series powered Airbus A380s face more stringent engine fan hub assembly inspections after examination of the hub that separated during an uncontained failure two years ago pointed to higher risk of cracks. The FAA Sept 24 will issue a new airworthiness directive that lowers initial-inspection thresholds for the entire first-stage low-pressure compressor rotor, or fan hub, assembly and adds repetitive inspections for fan hub blade slot bottoms and blade slot front edges. Global regulators are expected to follow suit. The revised inspection protocols supersede ones mandated by the FAA and EASA last month. Inspections conducted by the manufacturer since those directives were issued “identified a fatigue crack originating inboard of a blade slot,” FAA said. <br/>