Engine — Fan Blades — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2018-0211
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected CFM56-7B engines must perform ultrasonic inspections of specified fan blades within the compliance times defined by engine group and fan blade flight cycles, with intervals not exceeding 1,600 or 500 flight cycles depending on the group. Any detected discrepancies require immediate replacement of the affected fan blade before further flight. Compliance with the directive's effective date of 2019-02-13 is mandatory, and prior inspections per earlier service bulletins are credited.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0018 is an aviation safety regulation addressing the inspection of fan blades on CFM International CFM56-7B engines installed on Boeing 737-600, 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900 aircraft. The directive mandates ultrasonic inspections of specific fan blades to detect cracks and prevent fan blade failure. It applies to all serial numbers of multiple CFM56-7B engine variants and includes detailed definitions of affected and serviceable fan blades.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0018 supersedes the previous AD 2018-0211 and reduces the threshold for the initial ultrasonic inspection of affected fan blades. It also maintains the requirement for repetitive inspections at specified intervals and updates compliance times based on engine group classification. The directive incorporates the latest revision (Revision 03) of CFM International Service Bulletin 72-1033 for inspection procedures.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a known unsafe condition involving fan blade fractures that could lead to uncontained engine debris release, posing significant safety risks. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and prevent potential engine damage or aircraft incidents. Timely inspections and corrective actions help maintain engine reliability and regulatory compliance.
More for CFM International CFM56-7B
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- EASA AD 2026-0161Time Limits / Maintenance Checks – Airworthiness Limitations Section – AmendmentAug 7, 2026
- EASA PAD 26-091Engine – Fan Blades – InspectionJul 30, 2026
- EASA PAD 26-083Time Limits / Maintenance Checks – Airworthiness Limitations Section – Amendment
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