Aviation Regulators Increase Scrutiny of Engine Parts

Concerned about potentially hazardous engine components on hundreds of Boeing Co. and Airbus aircraft, U.S. and European aviation regulators are stepping up scrutiny of certain parts designed to help jets slow down after landing.

The safety issues have prompted extra attention from government and industry experts in recent months, due to a flurry of incidents in which devices called thrust reversers malfunctioned on the ground, or pieces broke off in flight. Regulators on both sides of the Atlantic have increased oversight by ordering a series of inspections and fixes of these systems on various wide-body and smaller aircraft models. There also has been controversy over whether some repairs were done properly.

Attached to the rear of engines, the thrust reversers have moveable panels that redirect thrust after touchdown to assist in braking. If they fail to work properly or swivel open to deflect engine thrust during flight, the results can be unpredictable and dangerous.

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