Ultrasonic Testing of Jet Engine Fan Blades

Engineering is defined by improvements to processes based on empirical data. The recent aircraft engine failure from a broken blade - which resulted in debris, cabin decompression, and a fatal injury to a passenger - has also resulted in new rules from the Federal Aviation Administration to improve fan blade inspections. The engine was last overhauled 10,712 engine cycles before the failure, but inspection rules required inspections after 30,000 takeoffs and landings. The new requirements include removing each of the 24 titanium fan blades from each engine to perform a visual inspection. Following the visual inspection, the blades will be covered with glycerin that will transmit the sound from an ultrasound probe. Any irregularities in the fan blade, such as microscopic cracks, will be displayed as a peak in amplitude of the signal that registers on the handheld device. - Daniel Findley, DTC Civil Transportation Instructor

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