The investigation into an engine explosion on
a jetliner taking off from Denver is focusing on
a fan blade that appeared to be weakened by
wear and tear, a development reminiscent of a
fatal failure on board another plane in 2018.
These and other recent engine failures raise
questions over long-held assumptions about
how long fan blades last and whether they are
being inspected often enough.
A Boeing 777 operated by United Airlines had to
make an emergency landing in Denver after one
of its engines blew apart, spewing huge chunks
of wreckage that landed in neighborhoods and
sports fields. Passengers captured video of the
crippled engine, wobbling and still on fire, as
pilots made a safe return to the airport minutes
after the plane bound for Hawaii took off.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Investigators said that two fan blades in the Pratt
& Whitney engine broke off and one of them
showed signs of metal fatigue, or hairline cracks
from the stress of wear and tear. They believe the
weakened blade broke off first, then chipped off
half of an adjacent blade.