Operators of certain Boeing 777-300ERs are being ordered to conduct engine checks after the uncontained failure of the General Electric GE90 powerplant on a ThaiAirways International aircraft.
The failure involved Thai’s flight TG970 as it commenced its take-off roll for Zurich on 20 October.
US FAA regulators have issued an emergency airworthiness directive which, while not specifically mentioning Thai, refers an uncontained GE90-115B high-pressure turbine failure on the same date.
It says the take-off was aborted as a result and that debris struck the aircraft fuselage and its other engine.
The directive requires removal, within 25 cycles, of an interstage seal from engines with eight particular serial numbers.
It states that the measure is designed to prevent high-pressure turbine failure which could lead to the release of damaging high-energy debris.
