EASA AD 26-091
Engine – Fan Blades – Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 26-091 is a proposed directive addressing inspection requirements for fan blades on CFM International CFM56-7B engines installed on Boeing 737-600, 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900 aircraft. It mandates ultrasonic inspections of specific fan blades to detect cracks and prevent potential fan blade failure. The directive applies to all serial numbers of affected engine models and specifies compliance times and inspection intervals.
What Changed
This proposed directive supersedes EASA AD 2019-0018 and introduces revised inspection procedures that expand the inspection area to detect all potential cracks on affected fan blades. It also clarifies accomplishment instructions and updates compliance times and intervals for ultrasonic inspections based on engine group classification.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving fan blade fractures that could lead to uncontained engine debris release and damage to the aircraft. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure timely inspections and corrective actions to maintain engine airworthiness and comply with regulatory requirements. Failure to comply could result in unsafe conditions and regulatory penalties.
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, with subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 1,600 or 500 flight cycles depending on the group. Any detected discrepancies require immediate replacement of the affected fan blade with a serviceable one before further flight. Compliance with the service bulletin instructions and acceptance of previous inspections per earlier revisions are also outlined.
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