Just days away from its first 737 MAX delivery after a remarkably problem-free development effort, Boeing’s new single-aisle jet program got a nasty jolt when a freshly discovered engine-manufacturing problem prompted it Wednesday to ground the entire MAX fleet.
Boeing learned that metal discs inside some of its new LEAP engines could potentially crack, although no problems had been detected during extensive flight testing of the MAX jets, which began in January 2016.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to temporarily suspend MAX flights,” said Boeing spokesman Doug Alder.
About 25 MAX planes, both test jets and production planes intended for customers, are parked at Boeing Field or Renton Municipal Airport and have been making regular test flights.
Boeing said the affected LEAP engines on those airplanes are being sent for inspection to engine maker CFM International’s facilities either in Lafayette, Indiana, or Villaroche, France.
Because some LEAP engines already delivered to Boeing are unaffected by the issue, Boeing said it still intends to go ahead with initial deliveries of the MAX this month.
CFM informed Boeing late last week of “a potential manufacturing quality escape with low pressure turbine discs (LPT)” in the engines already delivered, Boeing said.
CFM spokeswoman Jamie Jewell said quality inspectors discovered an anomaly in the process of forging the discs during manufacturing.
“It could lead to cracking,” said Jewell.
She said most parts on the LEAP engine, including the LPT
Article source: http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-grounds-737-max-test-planes-over-quality-issue-with-engine/
