Accidents
Failed Southwest CFM56 Shows Signs of Metal Fatigue
Airline promises to quicken pace of inspections following fatal incident involving Boeing 737-700
Members of an NTSB "go team" inspect the CFM56-7B turbofan that broke apart during a Southwest Airlines flight from New York to Dallas. (Photo: NTSB)
Members of an NTSB "go team" inspect the CFM56-7B turbofan that broke apart during a Southwest Airlines flight from New York to Dallas. (Photo: NTSB)

Southwest Airlines has promised to accelerate inspections of the CFM56-7B turbofans in its fleet of Boeing 737s following early indications of metal fatigue in the engine that blew apart during an April 17 flight from New York La Guardia Airport to Dallas Love Field. The Boeing 737-700 diverted to Philadelphia International Airport, where U.S. National Transportation Safety Board investigators found evidence that one of the fan blades in the left engine separated at its hub attachment point. During the flight, pieces of the engine penetrated a cabin window above the left wing, killing one of the passengers.  


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