FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive on General Electric GEenx Engines

September 21, 2012. The NTSB applauds the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) action calling for immediate initial and recurring inspections of the fan midshaft installed in General Electric (GE) GEnx-1B and -2B engines that power Boeing 787 and 747-8 airplanes. Although the NTSB will be evaluating the details of these actions to determine their responsiveness to its September 14th urgent safety recommendations, the NTSB is encouraged by this action.

"We appreciate the response of both FAA, GE, and Boeing in recognizing this serious safety issue," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman. "We continue to work with all those involved in these investigations."

Today, the FAA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-19-08, which requires that all GEnx engines undergo ultrasonic inspection of the FMS before further flight. The AD also establishes that the FMS be subject to recurring inspections that must be accomplished not more than 90 days between inspections.

According to Boeing and GE, the immediate initial inspections on all affected engines in-service were completed as of September 19, 2012.