All
← Back to Squawk list
Southwest Airlines cancels dozens of flights for engine inspections after passenger death
Southwest Airlines canceled about 40 flights Sunday to perform fan blade inspections days after a passenger was partially sucked out of a window and killed. The cancellations were voluntary and part of an accelerated engine fan blade inspection program announced Tuesday, the airline said in a written statement. (www.dallasnews.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Aircraft engines are routinely change based on time and cycles.
As a career airline pilot for the last 40 years I would like to weigh in on this conversation. First of all airliners and the engines that are on them are designed to last for decades. Even a narrow body such as the 737 retail cost is about $85 million dollars. They have to be designed to last for years to recover that type of an investment. The B-737 along with the CFM engine is one of the most reliable airliners/engines ever built. That being said, without proper care and maintenance it will fail. And sometimes even with proper care it can fail. I have 17 years of experience flying the 737-800 and the 737-200 along with other commercial airliners. I am a bit suspect of the care and maintenance that Southwest has given their aircraft. I believe that there have been at least 3 of their 737's have un-contained engine failures. Two have occurred in flight in the last 2 or three years. One was on the ground, but all three caused damage to the pressurized areas of the airplane. That is not normal. Maybe we will find out why when the NTSB completes their investigation.
i'm sure there is nothing to it.
in 2016 when the SWA engine lost the cowling, it was the port engine.
now in 2016, the SWA engine lost the cowling, of the port engine.
kawinkydink
naaaaaaaaah
in 2016 when the SWA engine lost the cowling, it was the port engine.
now in 2016, the SWA engine lost the cowling, of the port engine.
kawinkydink
naaaaaaaaah
Here I go again. I am very educated in metal fatigue. It always is an accident that prompts checking engines. SWA Airplane is 18 years old when one of the blades broke off in flight. Aircraft over 10 years old should be sold to the "Fly by Night" Airlines. We are the USA and should be able to fly safely and accidents caused by metal fatigue should never happen.
I am a former jet engine/helicopter mechanic. Accidents are caused by failure to follow a protocol. Does SWA not follow inspection schedules? I cannot say, I didn't work for them. Should they increase their inspection schedule due to such? It would be the smart thing to do. UT would be a faster and better way, but one could always set up a tent over an engine and do PT tests on it with fluorescent penetrant as another way. Something does need to change, they do not necessarily need to sell their planes to some one else just due to age. Everything has the ability to last an indeterminate number of years if cared for properly.
Can't read the article without subscription. That's not very helpful...