News
02 JUL 1998
`The FAA ordered the immediate inspection of Boeing 737-700 and -800 series aircraft equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines for problems with the engine accessory gearbox. The telegraphic Airworthiness Directive (AD) follows two inflight engine shutdowns, one on Transaero Airlines, Russia, and the other on Braathens Airlines, Norway. In both incidents, the accessory gearbox starter gearshaft failed due to inadequate fatigue capability caused by high stresses introduced during the manufacturing process.` (FAA)
press release
Kuwait was found to comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and has been rated as Category I by the FAA. (FAA)
press release
13 JUL 1998 Harvard University professor claims that electromagnetic interference (from powerful signaling equipment on one of about 10 military ships or planes in the vicinity) could have brought down TWA800. (CNN) 23 JUL 1998
`Since the TWA 800 accident in July 1996, the FAA and the NTSB have been studying potential failures that could produce ignition sources in Boeing 747 fuel tanks. During the investigation, a safety analysis of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) and examinations of 747 airplanes suggested several scenarios in which an ignition source might occur inside of a fuel tank. These involved a combination of a failure or aging condition inside the fuel tank and a subsequent failure or electromagnetic coupling outside of the tank, allowing a high voltage signal on the FQIS wiring.` (FAA)
press release
27 JUL 1998 As part of the FAA`s ongoing Safer Skies initiative, the agency proposed to order the aviation industry to use improved methods and technology to detect potential defects in aircraft engines. The enhanced inspections focus on certain high-energy rotating engine components used in commercial aviation. (FAA)
press release
