News and Updates – FAA Issues Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) that requires operators to inspect fan blades on certain CFM56-7B engines within 20 days.

The directive is based on a CFM International Service Bulletin issued today and on information gathered from the investigation of Tuesdays Southwest Airlines engine failure. The inspection requirement applies to CFM56-7B engines. Specifically, engineswith more than30,000total cyclesfrom new must complete inspections within 20 days. The EAD becomes effective upon publication. The engine manufacturer estimates todays corrective action affects352 engines in the U.S. and 681 engines worldwide.