NTSB: Metal fatigue a likely cause of United engine failure

Saturday, 24 Feb, 2021 0

The National Transportation Safety Board chief says early investigation into the United Airlines engine failure last week points to metal fatigue.

NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said metal fatigue to an engine fan blade was a likely factor.

Sumwalt said a ‘loud bang’ occurred just four minutes after takeoff when the plane was at an altitude of 12,500 feet.

Two of 22 fan blades in one of the Pratt & Whitney engines were damaged.

One of these is consistent with metal fatigue, the NTSB said.

There was ‘minor damage’ to the body of the Boeing 777 close to the wing suggesting debris fell off laterally.

However the agency is still unclear why the engine was on fire.

"We do have indications that the fuel to the engine was turned off, so we will be looking to see what would have continued to propagate a fire,” Sumwalt said.

The NTSB said a priority now is to check the maintenance records.

There have been two similar incidents involving engine fan blade damage – in 2018 on another United flight and more recently in December 2020 on a Japan Airlines flight.

"What’s important is that we really, truly understand the facts, circumstances and conditions on this particular event before we compare it to any other event," Sumwalt said.

"Certainly we will want to know if there’s a similarity.”

Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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