Boeing halts test flights

[CAT3508 343]

 

 

 

Boeing has suspended test flights of its new 737 MAX jetliners over fears of a potential manufacturing flaw affecting an engine part.

 

 

 

The 737 MAX line was to make its commercial debut in a matter of days, but a potential issue affecting the turbine engine discs has led the US company to suspend flights.

The aerospace company said the part is manufactured by a third-party supplier.

Boeing's spokesperson stated that 'out of an abundance of caution, we decided to temporarily suspend MAX flights'.

'The step is consistent with our priority focus on safety for all who use and fly our products.'

CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric and French engineers Safran, alerted Boeing to a 'potential manufacturing quality escape with low pressure turbine disks in (the) LEAP-1B engines' that it delivered.

Boeing stated that the LEAP-1B engines were thoroughly inspected throughout more than 2,000 hours of testing, during which time the company did not experience any problems.

CFM International said it will conduct inspections to establish the number of affected engines.

Boeing has three models of its 737 MAX line, numbered 7, 8 and 9. The 737 MAX 9 had its maiden flight in April.

The aerospace giant has received more than 3,700 orders for these jetliners.

Boeing stated it intends to begin deliveries on schedule this month.

 

[hurricanemk1c 195]

"This [grounding] followed the discovery of cracks in part of a low-pressure (LP) turbine section destined for one of the CFM Leap-1B engines that power the new aircraft."

 

There's a good article (where the above quote came from) on Aviation Week Network (free registration required, which gives you a good newsletter every day of top stories) http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/boeing-halts-737-max-flights-engine-inspections

Edited May 13, 2017 by hurricanemk1c

[brett 2,316]

That's gonna cost 'em, hope they get it squared away. 

[hifly 925]

13 minutes ago, brett said:

 hope they get it squared away. 

I don't think a square turbine disc would be much use Brett. 

[brett 2,316]

 Thought of that when I wrote it and left it out there for you or the other comics in the forum to pick it up. Your welcome.

[hifly 925]

Brett, I'm like a fish, feed me a line and I'll always bite. 

[allardjd 1,853]

The low pressure disk is the biggest one and depending on the nature of the fault could be very, very serious, ala the Singapore A380 and the Sioux City DC-10  The low pressure disk in the hot section is the one furthest aft, so more likely to be in line with critical wing components. 

 

A wheel burst almost invariably results in three wheel segments of about 120 degrees each and they are potentially massive enough and energetic enough to make it through any containment measures that are intended to stop smaller, lighter things like turbine and compressor blades.  

 

I assume they're talking about the hot section wheels, not the fan blade or compressor blades - it's potentially not something that can be ignored in any case

 

The good news for Boeing is that the engine design is under someone else's roof, but the other edge of the sword is that it will almost certainly affect their production schedule and complicate certification activities.

 

Should'a bought P&Ws.

 

John