EASA SIB 2011-17: Disassembly of Engines following In-Flight Shutdown with Indication of Critical Part Failure

What to do

Maintenance stations should immediately notify the engine type certificate holder if evidence of critical part failure is found after an IFSD and on-wing inspection, such as turbine temperature exceedance, metal debris in exhaust, or significant turbine damage. They should request specific disassembly instructions and conduct a forensic teardown, retaining all parts and documenting the process completely. No explicit compliance deadlines are stated, but prompt action following an IFSD is recommended.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin SIB No. 2011-17 provides guidance on the disassembly of engines following an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) when there is an indication of critical part failure. It applies to maintenance and continued airworthiness management organisations working on engines with critical parts installed on commercial air transport aircraft. The bulletin highlights the importance of a forensic teardown to investigate failures of critical engine parts, such as turbines and rotors, to ensure thorough root cause analysis and proper handling of affected components.

What changed

This new safety information bulletin introduces the recommendation for maintenance stations to perform a forensic disassembly of engines after an IFSD if critical part failure is suspected. It emphasizes the need for specific support and disassembly procedures from the engine type certificate holder to ensure all relevant parts are retained and documented during teardown. The bulletin clarifies that failure investigations are the responsibility of the engine TC holder and promotes awareness of proper failure investigation protocols.

Why it matters

This bulletin is important for aviation professionals because failures of critical engine parts can pose hazardous conditions to aircraft safety. Proper forensic teardown and investigation help identify root causes, prevent recurrence, and maintain engine reliability. For operators and maintenance organisations, following these recommendations supports compliance with airworthiness requirements and ensures that critical failures are thoroughly analyzed and addressed.