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Disk Failure Found In BA 777 Engine

By Elaine Kauh

Inspections of older GE engines on airliners around the world could begin in the coming weeks as investigators learn more about the uncontained engine failure that started a fire on a British Airways jet one month ago in Las Vegas. In an update from the NTSB this week, investigators found that a disk in the high-pressure compressor (HPC) in the 777’s left GE90 engine fractured during takeoff roll, propelling pieces into the engine case and cowling. “GE is performing high-priority, focused inspections of HPC hardware from other GE90 engines,” the NTSB said. According to a Seattle Times report, GE is examining similar compressors that have been in storage to find clues that would aid field inspections. About 400 similar engines are in service, the report said. The British Airways jet aborted its takeoff at McCarran International Airport on Sept. 8 when the engine caught fire. The 158 passengers and 13 crew evacuated the aircraft using emergency slides. A GE spokesman told the Seattle Times the engine had been in service since 1997, while the broken disk in the compressor was built in 1995, when the first GE90s were made. This was the first case of an uncontained engine failure in this model engine; similar incidents with different GE engines have been documented, according to the report.