Communiqués

TSB # A 03-98

(For release 09 March 1998)

(Hull, Quebec) - Cooperation on an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) and the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States (NTSB) has resulted in seven aviation safety recommendations being made concerning General Electric CF6-50 and -80 series jet engines.

On 07 September 1997, a Canadian Airlines International Boeing 767-300ER was at the start of its take-off from Beijing, China to Vancouver, British Columbia, when the left engine had an uncontained failure of the high pressure compressor (HPC). The crew rejected the take-off, discharged the fire bottles and shut down the engines. The aircraft was towed to the terminal where the 198 passengers and 7 crew members disembarked safely. Damage was restricted to the engine, the surrounding cowling, and punctures in the left aileron and lower left fuselage.

The accident investigation is being conducted under the direction of the TSB, and the NTSB, under the provisions of Annex 13 to the International Convention on Civil Aviation, is assisting the TSB with its investigation.

These engines are manufactured in the United States and are used in aircraft around the world. In order to advance aviation safety in the most expeditious manner, the NTSB, in consultation with the TSB, decided to issue safety recommendations concerning the General Electric CF6-50 and -80 series jet engines in the United States.

Information gleaned in the investigation so far raises serious concerns that warrant immediate action by the regulator in the state of manufacture, the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA).

To that end, the NTSB sent seven recommendations to the FAA concerning inspections, maintenance, and design of the high pressure compressor spool of these engines.

The examination of the engine by both the TSB and the NTSB revealed substantial damage in the area of the high pressure compressor. The HPC case was ruptured and portions of the disk had separated from the spool, exited the engine, and broke into three pieces, all of which were recovered.

There are 25 aircraft in service in Canada that use the CF6 engines.

The investigation by the TSB, assisted by the NTSB, is continuing. The TSB will issue a public report at the end of the investigation, which may contain additional recommendations. If, in the interim, further safety deficiencies are identified that require urgent action, the TSB or the NTSB as appropriate, will issue further interim recommendations.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is an independent agency operating under its own Act of Parliament. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

(A full text of the recommendation package is available from the NTSB in Washington by calling 202-314-6100.)

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